A long time ago, Mexico were leading Netherlands 1-0 in the 88th minute with a great chance to go to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986. The Dutch responded with two quick goals to eliminate Mexico and grab the quarter-final place for themselves. That was the last time in this tournament where the results of any match were seriously in doubt.
From the commentary in England, I get the sense that most neutral fans are growing frustrated with this procession of stately, low-scoring victories for the favorites. But my main goal, in any soccer match, is to see that the match ends after 90 minutes of regulation time. I don't care who wins so long as we don't go to extra time. Then, if we do go to extra time, I want the match to finish before we go to penalty kicks. I HATE PENALTY KICKS!
So far, we've had 11 elimination games in this tournament, and only two have gone to penalty kicks. So I've been pretty happy with the knockout rounds. And I don't mind seeing the big powers go through.
Since 1950, Brazil, Germany, and Argentina have combined to win the World Cup 10 times, and it now seems clear that one of them will do so again. Spain was supposed to join those three in the Final Four, but they were drilled by the Netherlands, and so now the Dutch are likely to capture the fourth semi-final slot. If the Dutch don't make it they have only themselves to blame; playing Mexico and Costa Rica for a chance in the semi-final is a pretty good deal.
By the way, Scott Murray of the Guardian reports that according to the Guardian Style Guide, Holland "should not be used to mean the Netherlands (of which it is a region), with the exception of the Dutch football team, who are conventionally known as Holland." NOT IN AMERICA, GUARDIAN! They're still the Netherlands to us:
NETHERLANDS:
Goalkeeper: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax) (Netherlands)
Defender: Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord) (Netherlands)
Defender: Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa) (England)
Defender: Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord) (Netherlands)
Defender: Daley Blind (Ajax) (Netherlands)
Midfielder: Memphis Depay (PSV) (Netherlands)
Midfielder: Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV) (Netherlands)
Midfielder: Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray) (Turkey)
Midfielder: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) (Germany)
Forward: Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce) (Turkey)
Forward: Robin van Persie (Captain) (Manchester Utd) (England)
COSTA RICA:
Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas (Levante) (Spain)
Defender: Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg) (Norway)
Defender: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense) (Costa Rica)
Defender: Junior Dias (Mainz '05) (Germany)
Defender: Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew) (MLS)
Defender: Michael Umana (Saprissa) (Costa Rica)
Midfielder: Celso Borges (AIK) (Sweden)
Midfielder: Yeltsin Tejada (Saprissa) (Costa Rica)
Midfielder: Christian Bolanos (free agent)
Forward: Bryan Ruiz (Fulham) (England)
Forward: Joel Campbell (Arsenal) (England)
Half Time:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
Well, that was about as boring as the scoreline would indicate.
50 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
60 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
65 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
Still no urgency from either side.
70 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
Costa Rica pretty obviously playing for penalty kicks. Netherlands still acting like they've got 50 minutes to score (which, of course, they do).
75 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
80 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
85 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
Now the Dutch are really starting to go for it. They almost scored on a free kick, but the ball hit the post.
90 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
4 minutes of stoppage time. For the second time in the last 10 minutes, Costa Rica trips Arlen Robben just before he enters the penalty box.
How did they not score? Robin van Persie blasts the free kick right at the goal -- great save by Costa Rica. But the ball is still bouncing around in the box. Surely the Dutch will poke it in. No! It's cleared off the line by a defender! Amazing defense from Costa Rica.
ReplyDeleteFull Time:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
The Dutch have 30 more minutes to avoid penalty kicks. Costa Rica went 5-5 in penalty kicks against Greece.
95 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
High drama now. Keylor Navas, the Costa Rican goalkeeper, has been magnificent, but now he appears to be hurt.
No, wait. He's still playing. 25 minutes left.
100 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
20 minutes left.
105 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
15 minutes left.
110 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
10 minutes left. Costa Rica have taken no shots on goal in this game.
Wow.
DeleteA yellow card on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, a Dutch substitute who went up for a ball and somehow managed to hit the Costa Rican goalkeeper in the face.
ReplyDelete115 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
In the last few minutes, Costa Rica has actually launched a few attacks, but they never came to anything.
Costa Rica still looking dangerous. in the 116th minute, they take their first shot! But it is saved by the Dutch goalkeeper.
ReplyDeleteNow here come the Dutch. In the 117th minute, they get yet another corner kick. Like all the others, it comes to nought.
ReplyDeleteIn the 118th minute, the Dutch almost score! But the ball hits the crossbar and bounds away.
ReplyDeleteJust to remind everyone:
ReplyDeleteGDP of Costa Rica: $48.5 billion
GDP of the Netherlands: $838.0 billion
120 minutes:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
1 minute of stoppage time. The Dutch use their last substitute to CHANGE GOALKEEPERS, removing Jasper Cillessen and replacing him with Tim Krul of Newcastle Utd. I've never seen that done before.
Was Cillessen also expected to score?
DeleteAfter extra time:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
On to penalty kicks.
The goalkeeper swap was a brilliant move. Krul saved two of the five penalties taken by Costa Rica. The Dutch went 4-4, and didn't even have to take their last one. So the Costa Rican strategy of playing for penalty kicks does not pay off, and the Dutch are on to the semi-finals.
ReplyDeleteOh, OK, so this guy they subbed in is like the Goose Gossage of soccer? Or maybe he was just a fresher Bert Blyleven.
DeleteAfter Extra Time:
ReplyDeleteNetherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica
Netherlands win 4-3 on penalty kicks.