SALVADOR, Brazil -- Tim Krul came on as a substitute in the final minute of extra time and then saved two penalties in a 4-3 shootout victory over Costa Rica on Saturday, giving the Netherlands a spot in the World Cup semifinals. Swingman Jason Williams Jersey . Krul saved spot kicks from Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana after the match had finished 0-0. "We had a lot of chances but it didnt go in," Krul said on Dutch television. "Then I come in, stop two penalties and here we are." In another stroke of tactical genius at this years World Cup, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal pulled Jasper Cillessen moments after the Ajax goalkeeper had saved a shot from Marcos Urena in extra time. "The trick is good," said Krul, who plays for Newcastle. "A lot of preparation went into it." The Dutch team will next face Argentina in the semifinals on Wednesday in Sao Paulo. Krul looked super confident during the shootout at the Arena Fonte Nova, saving the second and fifth penalties by diving to his left and sticking out his hand. When Krul stopped Ruizs penalty, Cillessen, watching from the sideline, punched the air in celebration. When he saved the second to win the match, Cillessen out-sprinted the rest of the bench to get to Krul, who was already being mobbed by jubilant teammates who had watched from the halfway line. Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas had kept his team in the match with a string of great saves in the first half and again in extra time. When Wesley Sneijder twice beat him late in regulation and again in the second half of extra time, the woodwork made the stop. Sneijder hit the post with a free kick in the 80th minute and sent a curling shot over Navas and off the crossbar before the penalty shootout. At the end, however, Navas could not stop any of the four Dutch penalties as veterans Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt all scored. The Krul substitution will only boost Van Gaals reputation as a coach who leaves nothing to chance and who has a golden touch with replacements. And it kept his tenure with the Netherlands alive for two more matches before he becomes the manager at Manchester United next season. Oscar Robertson Jersey . Defenceman Tessa Bonhomme was among three players released from the team Tuesday morning along with defenceman Brigette Lacquette of Waterhen, Man. Mike Bibby Jersey . Grimes signed a $32 million, four-year contract to remain with Miami. The deal, which includes $16 million guaranteed, rewards Grimes for his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that forced him to miss almost all of the 2012 season.VAL MALENCO, Italy - Canadian Catrine Lavallee captured the gold medal in the womens aerials event Tuesday at the world junior freestyle championship. The Montreal skier finished first with 74.48 points as Russian Alexandra Orlova took second with 68.15. Liubov Nikitina, also of Russia, was third with 63.96. Former world champion Nicolas Fontaine, now the director of development for aerials with Freestyle Ski Canada, said Lavallee was full value for the victory. "Catrine just started performing double somersaults on snow three weeks ago and ((Monday) increased the difficulty by doing a double somersault in the layout position for the first time on snow," he said. Jason Williams Jersey. "She did it again (Tuesday) in the super final despite also having to deal with the wind. "She did the perfect jump at the right moment." Fontaine said given this was an Olympic year, the decision to send athletes to the world junior event was only made about three weeks ago amid low expectations. "Its always nice to see internationally where you stand," Fontaine said. Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '

The Wall

No comments
You need to sign in to comment

Post

Added Nov 27 '16, 11:45PM

Tags

Rate

Your rate:
Total: (0 rates)