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Netherlands v Costa Rica Preview: End Of The Road For Los Ticos

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NETHERLANDS v COSTA RICA, 21.00; Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador

The Netherlands have reached the quarter-finals for the second World Cup in succession on the back of an unlikely and controversial stoppage time victory over Mexico in the last 16.  Media coverage of the drama that unfolded with the Dutch’s turnaround victory in the dying stages has centred on the willingness of star man Arjen Robben to exaggerate minimal contact from defenders, as he did in winning the penalty converted by Klaas-Jan Hunterlaar to prevent extra-time.

The fact is Robben is not the only player to do this and he, at this moment, is a strong contender for the player of the tournament. The Bayern attacker is arguably in the form of his career and his trickery when running with the ball at pace, added to his potent left foot and his combination play with Robin van Persie is the prime reason Holland are strong contenders to finally win football’s biggest prize.

The Dutch are the tournament’s top scorers at present with 12 goals. After coming so close to exiting at the hands of Mexico in the last round, the likelihood of them underestimating another CONCACAF team only a week later are surely reduced.

Coach Louis van Gaal is expected to maintain his 3-5-2 formation. With Nigel de Jong out of the tournament with a groin injury, defender Bruno Martins Indi – who replaced the former Manchester City man after just nine minutes of the Mexico match – will start, with nominal left back Daley Blind continuing to deputise in midfield. Playmaker Wesley Sneijder, who left his mark on the competition with the vital 88th minute equaliser against Mexico, should overcome a injury to play in the hole behind the deadly front pairing.

 

Costa Rica have already progressed further into a World Cup finals competition than ever before, thanks to their last 16 penalty shoot-out victory over Greece. Jorge Luis Pinto’s men are unquestionably the tournament’s biggest success story. Los Ticos have been able to play with a freedom that few other teams can afford simply because nobody has expected them to win the matches they’ve been involved in.

The possible exception to that situation was the Greece game, which was the first occasion where the onus was on Costa Rica to dictate proceedings, rather than relying on the counter- attacking that had got them past Uruguay and Italy. Captain Bryan Ruiz broke the deadlock for them before they were pegged back late on, but it’s easy to imagine Holland doing far more damage should Costa Rica open up against them.

Playing with ten men after Oscar Duarte’s 66th minute sending off, you could argue Pinto’s men did well to stave off a Greek equaliser for so long and much of that was down to goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who has earned ringing endorsements for his shot-stopping up to now. Up front, Arsenal’s Joel Campbellis still the man expected to provide the magic, but he was looking very leggy in the latter stages of the second round tie.

An almost entirely unchanged line-up is anticipated, with Johnny Acosta the likely replacement for suspended defender Duarte, especially with centre-half Roy Miller lost to injury. Navas missed training earlier in the week with a shoulder problem, but will not let that stop him playing in the biggest game of his career.

 

What to watch out for:

Nothing can be drawn from previous battles as this will be the first ever meeting between the sides. Aside from coming up against probably the best side they’ve faced so far, a major obstacle to progress for Costa Rica could be fatigue, with most of their likely starting line-up having played 120 minutes in the last round.

The Dutch managed to avoid extra-time – just – and ought to be fresher. They also have a greater number of players used to playing in high pressure occasions, and crucially, more quality.

Possible line-ups:

Netherlands – Cillessen, Janmaat, Kuyt, Martins Indi, Vlaar, de Vrij, Wijnaldum, Blind, Sneijder, van Persie, Robben

Costa Rica – Navas, Gamboa, Diaz Campbell, Umaña, Gonzalez, Acosta, Ruiz, Tejeda Valverde, Campbell, Borges, Bolaños

Prediction: 2-0

 

 


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