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MOTD Preview: Costa Rica V Netherlands

By on July 5, 2014

Venue: Arena Fonta Nova, Salvador

KO Time: 21:00

Three teams have already made it to the semi-finals of what has been an extraordinary competition, and while the last Quarterfinal to be played looks like one of the more straight forward contests, will the underdogs of the tournament strike once more?

Costa Rica have surprised everyone so far in this tournament yet their luck might finally run out. The Central American side are up against a Netherlands side that have steamrolled their way through the tournament so far, and it all began in the very same stadium in which they will face Costa Rica in, when they beat a shell-shocked Spain side 5-1. Can they repeat the performance of that night, right here where their World Cup began?

Louis Van Gaal’s side are certainly living up to their nickname ‘the flying dutchmen.’ If Netherlands go about their game they way they have done in previous games in the tournament, expect goals and lots of them. The Dutch team are the highest scoring outfit in this World Cup scoring twelve, and averaging three a game. Not bad, eh.

Attacking players like Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie have assured the Dutch have got this far, but at the other end the resolute defending of players such as 22 year old Stefan De Vrij cannot be forgotten – the young defender has probably been one of the best defenders in the tournament. And while the Dutch attack has overshadowed just how important their defense is, if they are to get through tonight, Argentina would definitely give their defense a test in the semifinals.

The experience the Netherlands possess will be vital in a big game such as this – they have been in three major tournament finals. Although they have failed to win them all, the experience will make them the stronger outfit and obvious contenders to get through to the final in the Maracana.

Meanwhile, Los Tico’s beat a resolute Greek side on penalties in their Second Round game and showed the fight and team spirit they have right throughout the tournament, although their performance was not as convincing as previous ones they showed that they deserve to be where they are and they haven’t just lcuked their way to this stage of the tournament. Although in their last game the Costa Rican team look tired, lackluster, and in some cases out of ideas for the first time in the tournament, against a team like the Netherlands, which has the experience and firepower to most definitely exploit this weakness, Los Tico’s vulnerabilities could come to light once more.

Who will come out on top in this tie? Will it be the heavy favorites in the Netherlands? Or will the Costa Ricans spring yet another surprise on the whole world?

Prediction: Holland 4-1 Costa Rica

About Callum Kenwright

Evertonian. Angler. Oasis. Spanish Football. Aspiring Football Journalist.