The Dutch bury penalty ghost

The Dutch preparation for their first ever World Cup must have gone deep. The way the Netherlands finished off the lottery phase of their match against Costa Rica Sunday only confirmed their homework to a great detail.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul of the Netherlands celebrates with teammates after making a save in a penalty shootout to defeat Costa Rica during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between the Netherlands and Costa Rica at Arena Fonte Nova on July 5, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. Photo: Getty Images

It is also a grim message to Argentina, their rivals in the semifinals on Thursday. Except for their match against Mexico, they have dominated all the games they played in so far. They are fast and furious, with the eleven players operating in tandem like a 1,000 horsepower engine.   

#WORLDCUP SEMI-FINALS: #BRA v #GER #BRAGER #NED v #ARG #NEDARG #joinin - http://t.co/NGFC7EQGE6 pic.twitter.com/Crm1ILHQs5

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This time the Dutch seem to be prepared for everything. The perennial penalty-chokers finally buried the ghost of five World Cup losses on spot-kicks in a clinical fashion.

Coach Alejandro Sabella should be very happy, inspiring Argentina to their first semifinal in two decades. He knows his charges have started to play as a team, and a 1-0 win against Belgium might not be that convincing. Still, it’s good for him to see someone else other than superstar Messi scoring. Sabella knows that Argentina will have to lift their game a lot in order to overcome the Netherlands.

RESULT IN BRASILIA: #ARG 1-0 #BEL #ARGBEL #WorldCup QUARTER-FINAL #joinin - http://t.co/sydQyCZiG0 pic.twitter.com/vXohfgBhrf

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Louis van Gaal really worked hard on the Dutch weaknesses. After Sunday’s match, they looked like the likely side to win the World Cup. The last of the quarterfinal game was supposed to be a walkover. But Costa Rica proved everyone wrong, holding the Netherlands scoreless for 120 minutes.  

Costa Rica never came to this far in a World Cup, and, as if to celebrate the occasion, they fended off waves of attacks gallantly. Though the Netherlands possessed the ball for nearly 70 percent of the game, Costa Ricans spared no chance to scare their much vaunted opponents with counter-attacks.

Costa Rica’s ultimate intention was quite clear. They wanted to cash in on the Dutch weakness in penalties. Coach Jorge Luis Pinto too punched in the air in happiness when the match rolled into shootouts. Much to his surprise, his opposite number showed that he’s taken preparation for that too.

Seconds before the 120 minutes ended, Tim Krul, the penalty speacialsed goalkeeper came off the bench to replace regular custodian Cillessen. Krul got into sledging right away. His gestures and verbal challenges towards possible spot-kick takers seemed to have paid rich dividends. Krul went on to make two saves to send his team through to the semifinal.

RESULT IN SALVADOR: #NED 0-0 #CRC (4-3 pens), #WorldCup QUARTER-FINAL #joinin - http://t.co/NftucHyjaG pic.twitter.com/Rv85jg6fVf

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Van Gaal should be happier even the way his spot-kick takers responded. All four Dutch shooters -- Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt -- were spot-on, slotting home their penalties confidently and comfortably. Their dead-ball performance will deepen, for sure, Sabella’s worry about the Dutch.  

It’s, however, time for Costa Rica to go home with their heads high. Their amazing run from one of the most difficult groups is to be remembered for long in the World Cup. Cheers, Los Ticos!