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Costa Rica had their work cut out as they faced Louis Van Gaal's Dutch team, knowing that they had to perform out of their skin in order to negate the Dutch. Netherlands facing their second consecutive CONCACAF side, knew by experience, that this wasn’t going to be easy.
Tactically speaking, this was the battle of the five men defences. Costa Rica, who have pretty much relied on the formation throughout the tournament, were up against the eccentric tactician Van Gaal. He has been chopping and changing the Dutch lineup as per the need of the hour as was demonstrated against Mexico; using both a five men defence as well as altering it to a four men defence. Knowing both the sides look to absorb and then counter fast, this was lined up to be either a pretty refreshing end to end match or a cagey game with three centre backs ruling the roost.
Netherlands
The rumors before the game suggested Van Gaal would deploy the speedy youngster Depay as a left wingback in a five men back line while continuing with Daley Blind in the centre of midfield. Rather, he slotted Blind at left wingback while Memphis Depay started ahead of him as an attacking outlet on the left. Robben had his freedom on the other flank, trying to use his speed to good effect.
The midfield though seemed a little less substantial particularly keeping in mind the fact that last game had forced Van Gaal into bringing Blind to put in a shift on behalf of the injured Nigel De Jong. Surprisingly, the team played with only Wijnaldum as a midfielder while Sneijder tried to drop deep and influence the game on the attacking front. But he wasn’t much of a help while defending, leaving Wijnaldum to marshal the midfield all by himself during few fast counters that Costa Rica produced in the first half.
Costa Rica
Los Ticos were unchanged, barring Duarte having to sit this one out for his red card against Greece. Acosta was drafted in for him. As far as the lineup was considered, Campbell played the first half on right flank, trying to get the ball and link play with Bolanos and Ruiz.
Per say, hardly anybody lined up as the target man, with Costa Rica playing a condensed formation and looking to hit on counters, but Bolanos and Ruiz alternatively did occupy the central striker position in the first half. Moreover Diaz and Gamboa both were able to run and overlap thus being a constant threat.
90 minutes of stalemate
The Dutch set the tone of the game initially by holding on to the ball. But were unable to unlock the Costa Rica defense, particularly Navas, who had 2-3 good saves to make in the first half. While the counters looked the best bet to unlock this game, the way the teams countered was also in a way a blueprint of how teams preferred to play the game.
While Costa Rica broke with much more passing and interplay, Netherlands tried to utilize the individuals on the wing and their speed to counter with clinical pace and efficiency. Sneijder also came into his own, influencing the game way more than the first half, not just helping in the centre but also running the channels, creating openings for others.
The start of the second half saw Costa Rica putting Joel Campbell in the centre while Ruiz controlled the right side. The tactics partially worked as Campbell’s presence did concern the defensive trio. The second half also showed the difference between the teams as Costa Rica were probed time and again by the Dutch.
Robben, despite his notoriety, was central to the Dutch attack moving into space, taking defenders on, getting fouled and earning set pieces – which were slowly turning into Navas' Achilles heel as well as the order of the day as players tired and conceded senseless fouls.
Teams switch on in Extra Time
Extra time was about forcing the issue, the Dutch the only team playing for a win. This led to Huntelaar coming on for Martins Indi, with a switch of back five to a back four. A loss of pragmatism that saw Costa Rica surge on to counter in the last 7-8 minutes making the last 30 minutes much more bearable than the whole game.
The goalless tie was then decided on penalties, Costa Rica’s long journey coming to an end with Tim Krul and Van Gaal getting the plaudits.
In all, a game with little very little ebb and flow, was influenced by some tactical Dutch courage displayed at the very end by the soon to be Manchester United coach, Van Gaal, helping Dutch secure a place in the last four by Krul’s saves in the penalty shoot out
