#GameOnX Sports Update: Why Dutch coach abandoned winning goalkeeper strategy in #WorldCup semifinal loss With the Netherlands-Argentina semifinal heading into a penalty shootout here Wednesday, Tim Kruls mug flashed on the Jumbotron. The backup goalkeepers image immediately sent the crowd into a fever pitch as the Dutch (and Brazilian) fans thought it meant Krul would be subbing into the game to be their savior once again. It was a cruel trick. The option wasnt even there. A visibly fatigued Netherlands team couldnt keep pace in extra time and coach Louis van Gaal had to burn his third and last substitution in the 96th minute as striker Robin van Persie simply didnt have anything left in the tank. The resulting effect: Starting goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen remained on the field for the shootout, and the Argentines beat the Dutch 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes. The issue in a championship like this one is that you score one more goal than your opponent, which we didnt do, van Gaal said. Do you think goal keeper Tim Krul would have saved the Dutch from elimination?
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:59:18 +0000