Costa Rica are still in the World Cup and will face the Netherlands in the last quarter final match in Salvador on Saturday. Both sides booked their place in this fixture in dramatic fashion with Netherlands needing a spectacular late comeback against Mexico and Costa Rica holding on with ten men for about an hour before coming out tops in the ensuing penalty shootout.

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The Dutch, who were magnificent throughout the group stage were on the ropes in their Round of 16 match against Mexico. With only a couple of minutes left, they were trailing by a goal before Wesley Sneidjer scored a sizzling drive off a corner and Klass Jan Huntelaar completed the comeback with a penalty right at the death. This Dutch side thrives on counterattacking football as they showed in the demolition of Spain in their first match in Brazil. Quick breaks from the back which bypasses the midfield trio and relies basically on the pace of winger Arjen Robben has helped the Dutch in becoming the most prolific side at this World Cup. However, in matches where they have had to take the initiative like against Australia and Mexico, Netherlands have struggled. And it remains to be seen how well they perform against minnows Costa Rica.

For the Central American nation Costa Rica, the Cinderella story continues. After winning their group in unlikely circumstances, the Costa Ricans faced adversity in their Round of 16 match against Greece. Defender Oscar Duarte got sent off early in the second half and after holding their one-goal advantage for almost thirty minutes, they conceded a gut-wrenching equalizer right at the death. Credit to Jorge Luis Pinto’s charges as they held on for another thirty minutes to send the game to penalties, with goalkeeper Keylor Navas making the crucial save that sent them to their first quarter finals ever at the FIFA World Cup. Navas has been excellent all tournament and has managed to concede only two goals- one of which was a penalty- in four games so far.

TEAM NEWS

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal will be without AC Milan midfielder Nigel De Jong who had to be taken off only ten minutes into the game against Mexico. Van Gaal who is fast running out of fit midfielders with Leroy Fer also on the treatment table, may opt for Feyenoord’s Jordie Clasie or move wingback Daley Blind to take De Jong’s place in the middle of the park.

Costa Rica will have to do without suspended defender Oscar Duarte but Pinto is expected to stick with his defensive 5-3-2 formation in the hope of stifling the dynamic Dutch duo of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.

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Probable Lineups

Netherlands (4-3-3): Cillessen; Blind, De Vrij, Vlaar, Janmaat; De Guzman, Clasie, Sneidjer; Depay, Van Persie, Robben

Costa Rica (5-3-2): Navas;Diaz, Gonzalez, Francis, Umana, Gamboa; Borges, Tejeda, Bolanos; Ruiz, Campbell

PREDICTION

After getting their great escape against Mexico, I expect the quality of this Dutch team to shine bright again in this clash. Despite Costa Rica’s incredible run, they just might not have anything left to give and would bow out with pride.

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