World Cup 2014: 25 Most Memorable Moments
4. That Krul Substitution
Holland and Costa Rica were playing out an entertaining second period of extra time, with penalties on the horizon and Holland has one substitution left and then to everyones amazement goalkeeper Tim Krul started to warm up.
Luckily for Van Gaal and Holland the gamble to bring the Newcastle stopper on worked as the Dutch ran out 4-3 winners in the shootout, with Krul a major factor in this. He prowled round the area as the Costa Rican kick takers were preparing themselves, building the pressure on the taker. In Costa Ricas previous game against Greece, all five of Costa Ricas penalties were converted, but this time however Kruls mind games proved too much and Costa Ricas run in the tournament ended as Krul saved two of their spot kicks.
Van Gaal explained the decision after the match, stating that Krul is bigger physically and therefore a more intimidating opponent in a shoot-out and was always the plan if a penalty shoot-out was looming. Subsequently, Van Gaal has been hailed as a tactical genius even though he failed to find a way through Costa Rica during 120 minutes and the move to bring on a goalkeeper for penalties isnt an entirely new concept.