Costa Rica capable of shocking Netherlands in World Cup quarterfinals
Of the final eight teams left standing in the World Cup quarterfinals, you really can?t argue with seven of them. They all are excellent soccer countries and it?s no surprise they are playing for a spot in next week?s semifinals in Brazil. Then there?s the one outlier: Costa Rica.
The Ticos opened the tournament as 1000/1 WagerWeb long shots to win the World Cup yet are now just an upset away of the Netherlands, last year?s finalists, on Sunday from reaching the semifinals. Then anything can happen. However, the Dutch have looked like perhaps the most impressive team at this tournament and they are -190 WagerWeb world cup betting favorites, with Costa Rica at +615 and a regulation draw at +300.
After shockingly winning the ?Group of Champions? over Italy, England, and Uruguay, Costa Rica beat Greece in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history. The Dutch won?t be taking them lightly.
?These games don?t come easier. There are no easy games,? Netherlands defender Ron Vlaar said. ?Costa Rica beat Uruguay and Italy and then drew against England. Then they beat Greece. It will be another hard game again, but we are really looking forward to it. It?s a great challenge again.?
The Dutch opened the tournament with a stunning 5-1 win over Spain in a rematch of the 2010 final and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Mexico. Leading 1-0 with two minutes remaining in Fortaleza on Sunday, Mexico stood on the verge of reaching the last eight of the tournament for the first time since 1986, having exited in the second round in each of the past five finals. However, Dutch substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar played a leading role in turning the game on its head, setting up the equalizer for Wesley Sneijder in the 88th minute before converting a stoppage-time penalty after Rafael Marquez was adjudged to have brought down Arjen Robben. The Netherlands have now turned their last four World Cup games in which they fell behind in regular time into a victories.
The Dutch did lose a key player in that match in central midfielder Nigel De Jong. He was forced off just nine minutes against Mexico and subsequent scans revealed a groin muscle tear, ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament. Coach, Louis van Gaal has a tactical dilemma. He could switch to 4-3-3 or continue with the double pivot in front of the five-man defense with which he has started every game, replacing De Jong with Jonathan de Guzman, Jordy Clasie or versatile defender Daley Blind, who moved into midfield against Mexico.
Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto is not expected to make any changes to the side that has played so well, meaning lone striker Joel Campbell will once again be supported by Bryan Ruiz and Christian Bolanos from out wide.
This will be the first ever meeting between the Netherlands and Costa Rica. The Netherlands have never lost to a CONCACAF team at the World Cup (W1 D1, both against Mexico). Costa Rica have beaten just one European side in their last seven encounters with teams from that continent, though this did come against Italy earlier in the World Cup (D3 L3). Los Ticos have scored in all but one of their nine World Cup matches against teams from Europe, failing to score against England earlier in the tournament.
Of the final eight teams left standing in the World Cup quarterfinals, you really can?t argue with seven of them. They all are excellent soccer countries and it?s no surprise they are playing for a spot in next week?s semifinals in Brazil. Then there?s the one outlier: Costa Rica.
The Ticos opened the tournament as 1000/1 WagerWeb long shots to win the World Cup yet are now just an upset away of the Netherlands, last year?s finalists, on Sunday from reaching the semifinals. Then anything can happen. However, the Dutch have looked like perhaps the most impressive team at this tournament and they are -190 WagerWeb world cup betting favorites, with Costa Rica at +615 and a regulation draw at +300.
After shockingly winning the ?Group of Champions? over Italy, England, and Uruguay, Costa Rica beat Greece in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history. The Dutch won?t be taking them lightly.
?These games don?t come easier. There are no easy games,? Netherlands defender Ron Vlaar said. ?Costa Rica beat Uruguay and Italy and then drew against England. Then they beat Greece. It will be another hard game again, but we are really looking forward to it. It?s a great challenge again.?
The Dutch opened the tournament with a stunning 5-1 win over Spain in a rematch of the 2010 final and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Mexico. Leading 1-0 with two minutes remaining in Fortaleza on Sunday, Mexico stood on the verge of reaching the last eight of the tournament for the first time since 1986, having exited in the second round in each of the past five finals. However, Dutch substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar played a leading role in turning the game on its head, setting up the equalizer for Wesley Sneijder in the 88th minute before converting a stoppage-time penalty after Rafael Marquez was adjudged to have brought down Arjen Robben. The Netherlands have now turned their last four World Cup games in which they fell behind in regular time into a victories.
The Dutch did lose a key player in that match in central midfielder Nigel De Jong. He was forced off just nine minutes against Mexico and subsequent scans revealed a groin muscle tear, ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament. Coach, Louis van Gaal has a tactical dilemma. He could switch to 4-3-3 or continue with the double pivot in front of the five-man defense with which he has started every game, replacing De Jong with Jonathan de Guzman, Jordy Clasie or versatile defender Daley Blind, who moved into midfield against Mexico.
Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto is not expected to make any changes to the side that has played so well, meaning lone striker Joel Campbell will once again be supported by Bryan Ruiz and Christian Bolanos from out wide.
This will be the first ever meeting between the Netherlands and Costa Rica. The Netherlands have never lost to a CONCACAF team at the World Cup (W1 D1, both against Mexico). Costa Rica have beaten just one European side in their last seven encounters with teams from that continent, though this did come against Italy earlier in the World Cup (D3 L3). Los Ticos have scored in all but one of their nine World Cup matches against teams from Europe, failing to score against England earlier in the tournament.
