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24 April 2024

Fifa World Cup 2014: How Tim's 'Krul' tactic won the shootout for Holland

Netherlands' goalkeeper Tim Krul (L) celebrates after making a save from Costa Rica's forward and captain Bryan Ruiz (R) during the penalty shout out of a quarter-final football match between Netherlands and Costa Rica at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. (AFP)

Published
By AP

Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul insists he did nothing wrong in confronting Costa Rica's penalty takers during a World Cup quarter-final shootout.

Krul's crucial two saves on Sunday followed his novel tactic that tested FIFA's guidelines on fair play. The substitute goalie faced up to opponents at the penalty spot and repeatedly told them he knew where they'd place their shots.

"I don't think I have done anything wrong," Krul said at a team news conference. "I haven't shouted at (them) in an aggressive manner. I haven't done anything crazy. I just told them I knew where they are going."

The Dutch team's 4-3 shootout win after a 0-0 draw set up a semifinal against Argentina.

Krul said he would do the same again if Wednesday's match goes to a shootout and he again gets substituted in for Jasper Cillessen, who is again expected to start in the Dutch goal.

"I am trying obviously to get into their heads and it worked," said Krul, who instantly entered World Cup lore, both as a rare replacement and for his trash talk. "I use everything in my power to make it happen."

Asked if his late appearance in extra time unsettled the Costa Rica team, Krul said it probably did.

"When I started my warm up the whole bench was kind of confused what is going on," he said, recalling Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto's reaction to Dutch coach Louis van Gaal's move.

"If you see their manager's face, he was looking at our manager," Krul said. "His face was priceless, I think."