My World Cup Review

Holland 0 : 0 Costa Rica

The last of the World Cup quarter finals. Holland against Costa Rica and the winner faces Argentina. 

Again Costa Rica are considered underdogs against a very strong Dutch squad with Van Persie, Sneijder, Robben in their line up. The opening quarter of the game was dominated by Holland, they had numerous chances and Navas made some good saves to deny the Flying Dutchmen. Costa Rica didn't sit back as they also looked dangerous on the counter attack. Robben also has a point to prove after his comments about his sportsmanship in the previous game and it looked as though he was making a conscious effort to be more 'honest'. How long it would last, we will never know. He went down off the ball and won a free kick. The Costa Ricans said he dived but he had been brought down. The free kick was well saved again by Navas. More orange pressure towards the end of the half but both teams leave the field all square. 

Holland continued in the way they finished the first half. They controlled the play but unable to get that all important goal. Costa Rica also looking dangerous on counter attacks. Everything that the Dutch did, the Costa Ricans were able to stop. They were defending like true warriors and the longer the game progressed, the Dutch looked more nervous. The closest any team got to a goal was in the 81st minute when a wonder free kick crashed against the post from Sneijder. He managed to whipped the ball in, over the wall from a difficult angle. Unlucky. Tempo finally increased to another notch as Holland wanted to finish this game in the 90 minutes. Another free kick on Robben resulted in a shot from RVP but that 'keeps Navas again was in the way. He has been incredible. A glorious chance fell to Van Persie but he missed the ball. In the last minute of added time Holland could have won it when the ball was skimmed in and the players in the middle missed, fell to RVP and his shot was defended on the line, deflected up onto the bar and cleared! Frantic. Full time and this Match somehow finishes goalless. 

Another 30 minutes to be played. A tidal wave of orange was what the Costa Rica has faced all throughout this match and the onslaught continued against their goal. How Holland are not winning is anyone's guess? Costa Rica though did have a claim for a penalty as Vlaar clumsily stumbled into Urena but nothing from the ref. 

The second half of extra time turned into an epic 15 minutes as costar looked like the team that may nick the win. Urena somehow wiggled his way into the Dutch box and a great save from Cillessen kept the game tied. Holland then went straight on the attack (again) and Sneijder struck the ball from 30 yards which smashed against the bar. Then a bizarre decision from Van Gaal as he subbed the Dutch 'keeper Cillessen with Krul in the last minute ready for penalties. I have never seen that before. 

Penalties

Netherlands - OOOO

Costa Rica  - OXOOX

Have we witnessed a great tactical mind in work? Or an ego getting a bit of luck? What every the outcome Holland progress to face Argentina. A tasty encounter. 

My World Cup Review

Costa Rica 1 : 1 Greece 

A huge game for both Costa Rica and Greece with the quarter final against Holland waiting for them. 

With so much at stake for both teams, tactics were more on the cautious side. No one wanted to concede the first goal. Costa Rica did look the more likely to score but the Greek defence was solid. Between the sparing Greece were unlucky not to take the lead. A guided cross found Salpingidis who volleyed from close range, and the great save ensured that the scores remains level. No water breaks were needed during the first half and both teams left the field at half time to a chorus of boos from the fans who are looking for a more attack minded game which has come to be expected in this World Cup.  

Both teams know that they had to change their tactics in the 2nd half if either of them wanted to win. Greece were the more direct, looking to open the scoring as early as possible but it was Costa Rica who actually beat them to it. A quick passing move on the left, found Ruiz to place the ball (albeit a miss hit) into the corner of the goal. This obviously resulted in Greece having to change their approach and go more attack minded. This however left them more open and gave Costa Rica the opportunity to press and increase their lead. There was more twists to the game as a red card was shown and Costa Rica now down to 10 men. Could they hold on? Greece threw everything and everyone forward. This game has come to life. 

Would you Adam and Eve it, again, in added on time. GOAL!! Greece equalised and the celebrations followed. There was still time for a winner and Greece, with their tails up  nearly got it but another fine save prevented them stealing the win. 

Into extra time for the second time this tournament. Costa Rica are now just hanging on. They are now running on empty and Greece are looking for the win.  The first half of ET started in the same way as the match ended, with full on Greece offence. No breakthrough came. The remaining 15 minutes were frantic, like a pair of boxers trading blows. It could have gone either way. No goals scored, penalties again. 

Costa Rica - OOOOO

Greece - OOOX

Costa Rica reach their first ever World Cup quarter finals winning 5/4 on penalties. They have Holland in the next round but need to be tactically aware to stop a fast flowing  Dutch team. 

My World Cup Review

England 0 : 0 Costa Rica 

Shit. Just utter shit