The FIFA World Cup Kickaround, Halftime And Postgame #2 For 7/5/14: Krul Blow For Los Ticos As Backup Tim Sends Orange To Semis

FT (AET): Netherlands 0-0 Costa Rica (Netherlands advance on penalties 4-3) 

Survival is the only thing that matters, as the Dutch did just that. Keylor Navas got all the (deserved) attention, but Tim Krul was the goalkeeper who got the final say. 

But despite the rough exit for Costa Rica, it was a valiant close to the greatest World Cup in their country's history. 

Navas and Giancarlo Gonzalez made themselves massive commodities in this tournament (and Navas arguably already made himself one with this season at Levante), while Michael Umaña did not at all resemble the player who just wasn't good in MLS. Johnny Acosta did a great job coming in for the suspended Oscar Duarte, and Cristian Gamboa could easily see himself be apart of three World Cups. 

It was terrific all around spirit from Los Ticos that was crafted by manager Jorge Luis Pinto. They went as far as it could go, but that time had to run out at some time. 

Van Gaal's pick of Krul made sense with how Cillessen was mostly inactive outside of the end. And the Newcastle keeper denials of Ruiz and Umaña sent them into a second straight semifinals. 


Halftime: Costa Rica 0, The Netherlands 0 

Photo from Getty Images

Missing Oscar Duarte was a big blow for this Costa Rican side, as they made more simple mistakes in the back than before. Johnny Acosta hasn't been one of them, doing the best of the backline so far. 

For the Dutch, Wesley Sneijder has just got to get involved in this game and provide so midfield drive instead of deep lying playmaking and letting Robben, Depay, and Kuyt do all the creativity. 

For Costa Rica, Pinto will need to move Gamboa in a bit more while Borges will have to comeback more on Diaz's side whenever Robben tries to come at the Mainz 05 product. Also, Tejada has to try and provide more of an offensive threat display all of his running. 

(We'll be back for the second half, after this). 

Pre-game Thread 


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