It was a fine evening for watching the critical match between the Netherlands and Costa Rica at McSorley’s Saloon Saturday night. The game ended 4-3 in what CBS News has called “a cruel lottery of penalty kicks.” Costa Rica’s run at the World Cup was stopped by the super-human work of Netherland’s “closer” goalkeeper Tim Krul. Krul, who has played just one minute at this World Cup, stopped two penalties for the Dutch. He was brought on in the final minute of the second extra time in place of Jasper Cillessen. Krul’s reputation as a specialist at saving penalty kicks is well won. He was seen trying to play head games with Costa Rican penalty takers and guessed correctly on two shots, which proved to be the difference in the game. Here is how CBS described the game: Over 120 minutes-plus of actual soccer, there was little to separate the two teams. Costa Rica dug in and withstood Dutch attacks that almost always went through the feet of Arjen Robben. His penetrating dribbles led to a barrage of corner kicks, set pieces and shots for the Netherlands. Time and time again, though, it was Navas and his very well positioned back line that proved to be too much for the Dutch to get past. In the final minutes of regulation, the Netherlands had a variety of chances. None were clearer than a Van Persie shot that was turned away at the goal line by midfielder Yeltsin Tejeda with his goal keeper Navas out of the net. The shot somehow was deflected straight up in the air and hit the bar before going out. The Ticos did not venture out past midfield in the first extra time much and absorbed some more attacks by the Dutch as it seemed they were merely trying to hold on for PKs. However, in the second extra time it was the Costa Ricans who got out on the front foot, which opened up the game for both sides. Ultimately, it would be the cruel lottery of penalty kicks that would decide the final quarterfinal game of the World Cup. Misses, or rather Krul saves, on shots by Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umaña ended Costa Rica’s run and sent the Dutch into a final four of World Cup heavyweights with Brazil, Germany and Argentina.
Photos: Crowds at McSorleys follow the Netherlands-Costa Rica game on sets positioned all over, including on the sidewalk. Bottom, penalty shot specialist Tim Krul.
