July 7 – Tim Krul, the Netherlands goalkeeper who entered footballing folklore by coming off the bench to preserve his country’s World Cup hopes in Saturday’s quarterfinal with Costa Rica, has defended his behaviour in the buildup to the dramatic penalty shootout.
Krul, who saved two spotkicks in his country’s 4-3 victory, was seen trying to psyche out each Costa Rica penalty taker beforehand but said: “I don’t think I did anything wrong. I did nothing crazy. I didn’t shout in an aggressive manner. I told them I knew where they were going because I had analysed it. It worked.”
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal said he substituted Jasper Cillessen with seconds of extra time remaining because of Krul’s greater height and reach.
Cillessen, who kicked a water bottle as he came off, said: “I didn’t know it was going to happen, so I was angry. I wanted to play the penalty shootout. It is a pity I wasn’t told before, but it worked very well.”
Cillessen is expected to start Wednesday’s semi-final against Argentina, but Krul will probably be called up again if needed. Meanwhile, Van Gaal revealed the thinking that went into his secret plan against Costa Rica after the game finished goalless after 120 minutes.
“We had thought this through before. Every player in my selection has certain skills and qualities and we felt, all of us, that Tim Krul would be the most appropriate goalkeeper to stop penalties because he has a long reach.”
“We said nothing to Jasper Cillessen beforehand because this knowledge would have been disappointing for him going into the match but … we had discussed this with Tim Krul and how they would shoot their penalties because he needed to be prepared. Fortunately it worked out.”
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