Jan Klaas Huntelaar grabs a goal and assist as Holland turn around a one-goal deficit to edge past Mexico in injury time. Costa Rica defeat Greece on penalties after ending all-square after extra-time, with keeper Keylor Navas proving instrumental to his nation’s march into the last eight of Brazil 2014:
Huntelaar Fires Holland Through
The Schalke striker stepped off the bench to play a pivotal part in overcoming a stubborn Mexico rearguard yesterday evening. Replacing Robin Van Persie with just 14 minutes remaining, Huntelaar teed up Wesley Sneijder for the Dutch equaliser before coolly slotting home a late spot-kick to seal a 2-1 win, with Arjen Robben earning the assist. Louis Van Gaal’s side will be heavily backed for the quarter-final clash against Costa Rica, though Van Persie will surely be expected to retain the starting role alongside Robben, in spite of a lacklustre display.
After serving a one-match suspension, Van Persie’s return was one of two changes from Van Gaal. Jeremain Lens dropped out to accommodate the United striker, while Paul Verhaegh replaced Daryl Janmaat on the right of the midfield four in a 3-4-1-2. The Dutch have concerns over Nigel de Jong, after the midfielder was withdrawn within 10 minutes through injury – his potential absence next time round could see the versatile Daley Blind slotting into central midfield, with Bruno Martins Indi coming into defence. Previously fielded as a left wing-back, Blind has now started the last two as part of the back-three, with Dirk Kuyt now looking like Van Gaal’s preferred option in the left of the midfield four.
Mexico Undone By Late Dutch Rally
Yesterday’s match was a showdown between the group games’ highest scoring attack and joint-top defence – the Dutch had notched 10 times and Mexico had conceded just once over the first three matches. For 88 minutes, it seemed that Miguel Herrera’s resilient side would prevail, stifling their opponents’ attacks thanks to a disciplined 5-3-2 formation and a couple of exceptional reflex saves from Gullermo Ochoa between the posts. Giovanni dos Santos finally grabbed his first goal of the tournament with an excellent long-range but strike-partner Oribe Peralto failed to threaten and managed just one effort all game as the Mexicans bowed out.
In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Stefan de Vrij’s eight recovered balls was top for Holland, with Dirk Kuyt and Bruno Martins Indi (both six) and Daley Blind, with five, next in line. For Mexico, Paul Aguilar (six) Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido and Rafael Marquez (all five) were the top performers in the energy-sapping conditions.
Navas the Hero as Costa Ricans Progress
The underdogs are through to the quarter-finals thanks to some inspired goalkeeping from Keylor Navas between the sticks. Bryan Ruiz’ second goal of the tournament – courtesy of a Christian Bolanos assist – put Costa Rica ahead in the second period but the subsequent dismissal of Oscar Duarte on 66 minutes ensured the rest of the match was a backs-to-the-wall performance. Over the 120 minutes, Jorge Luis Pinto’s team had a single attempt on target from a total of seven shots, whilst Greece fired 23 efforts by comparison, with eight on target troubling Navas time and again.
After limiting Fernando Santos’ side to a single Sokratis Papastathopoulos strike, Navas then saved the decisive spot-kick from former Levante team-mate Theofanis Gekas to steer his side through. Having helped his side finish the group stages with the joint-best defence with just a single goal conceded, Navas’ save heroics are proving particularly handy for Fantasy managers – if Costa Rica are to defy the odds yet again next time around, his display against Robin van Persie and co will be crucial.
In terms of player selection, Pinto made a couple of changes from the side that drew against England last time round – Michael Umana came in for Roy Miller in defence and Christian Bolanos for Randall Brenes on the left of the midfield four.
In the FIFA McDonalds game, Michael Umana (eight), Christian Bolanos (six) and Giancarlo Gonzalez (five) led the way for recovered balls amongst the Costa Ricans. For Greece, Giorgos Karagounis and Sokratis Papastathopoulos were top with eight apiece, whilst Kostas Manolas and Jose Cholebas both managed six.
9 years, 10 months ago"Klaas is permanent , Form is temporary"