Netherlands will be up against the surprise package of the FIFA World Cup 2014 Costa Rica as the two sides clash in the last of the quarterfinal fixtures in Brazil. The match will be played at the Mangabeira Stadium in Salvador De Bahia on Saturday, July 5.
While the Netherlands beat Mexico in the dying moments of the game 2-1, Costa Rica defeated Greece on penalties after the match ended 1-1 at extra-time. Both teams had topped their respective groups to qualify for the second round.
Netherlands were trailing 1-0 for the majority of their round of 16 game against the Mexicans. It was an inspired substitution from Louis Van Gaal that changed the face of the match as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar came on to great effect. The striker provided the header off Arjen Robben’s corner which set up Wesley Sneijder’s brilliantly volleyed strike in the 87th minute before scoring from the spot in the second minute of added time after Robben was brought down in the area by Rafael Marquez.
Brian Ruiz scored the solitary goal for Costa Rica as the Ticos went on to register a 5-3 win on penalties over Greece in the round of 16 fixture. Their fairy tale run in the ongoing edition of the World Cup continued as Keylor Navas rose to the occasion in the shoot-out as Costa Rica booked a place in the quarter finals.
The Oranje will try to overpower the Costa Ricans with their physical and attacking brand of football. Van Gaal will need to decide who takes Nigel De Jong’s place in the middle though as the AC Milan star has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament through injury. Daley Blind is likely to move into the role in midfield as Bruno Martins Indi moves into the left back slot.
Dirk Kuyt was used as the right back against Mexico as Daryl Janmaat moved into the third central defensive slot beside Stefan de Vrij and Ron Vlaar. Netherlands have an excellent attack though with the likes of Sneijder, Robben, and Robin van Persie up top and might prove to be too much to handle for the Ticos.
Costa Rica will try and maintain their shape against the Dutch with the side expected to heavily depend on the likes of Ruiz and Joel Campbell to take them across the line in what is being viewed as their toughest ever match in World Cup finals.
Navas can expect a tough assignment at goal given the manner that their opposition have gone about their business in the tournament. However, while the Costa Rican defence have not been great in Brazil, they have been quite decent overall and can more or less compete with the Dutch defenders.
The result of this match will depend on which team takes their chances more efficiently for there are going to be plenty of chances created during the course of the 90 minutes or more on Saturday evening when the two sides meet at Salvador De Bahia.