Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador Date: Saturday, 5 July Kick-off: 9pm Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live and BBC One Nearly every World Cup has a surprise quarter-finalist and this tournament's fairytale story are Costa Rica. Meeting Holland for the very first time, the bookies are given them no chance to proceed any further quoting 6/1 for a Costa Rica victory at 90 minutes. Written off at every juncture, they are now within touching distance of becoming the first CONCACAF nation to reach the semi-finals since the USA at the inaugural tournament in 1930. Whatever happens - their fans will be ready for another party..... [video=youtube;9FDciH5fmQo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FDciH5fmQo[/video] The incentive for the Dutch is obviously just as great. Runners-up for the third time four years ago, is this the year they finally go on to win it? Both countries sealed their place in the last eight with penalties, and each are coached by men in their early sixties but that is where the similarities end. In Manchester United-bound Louis van Gaal, the Dutch are led by a man with a glittering CV in club management, whose achievements include a Champions League win and league titles in three different countries. Conversely, Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto was sacked in his two previous attempts to qualify for the World Cup finals, with Los Ticos in 2006 and latterly with his native Colombia in 2010. Costa Rica have captain Bryan Ruiz with inside knowledge, having impressed in two spells in the Dutch top flight. Whereas Costa Rica reached the quarter-finals with a penalty shootout win over Greece, the Dutch sensationally saw off Mexico with two goals in the last two minutes, with the winner came from the spot following the controversial penalty incident involving Arjen Robben. One man delighted to be playing against Robben will be Costa Rica's Michael Barrantes. He called his son Arjen last year in honour of the flying Dutchman. Netherlands midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong will miss the remainder of the tournament with a groin injury. Wesley Sneijder has been nursing a slight back strain picked up in the win over Mexico and will be assessed. Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas should be fit despite missing training earlier in the week with a shoulder injury. The Central Americans have defensive problems, with Oscar Duarte banned and Roy Miller out with a foot problem. Holland v Costa Rica Head-to-head ⢠This is the first ever meeting between the Netherlands and Costa Rica. Netherlands ⢠The Netherlands have won 10 of their last 11 World Cup matches, the exception being their defeat in the final to Spain four years ago. ⢠Louis van Gaal's side have scored an unrivalled 12 goals at this World Cup prior to the quarter-finals. Seven of their 12 goals have come from different players. ⢠They have won the last four World Cup matches in which they have fallen behind (inside 90 minutes). ⢠The Dutch have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 World Cup knockout games, last doing so against the Republic of Ireland in 1994. ⢠Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie combined for six of the Netherlands' eight goals across the first two matches but have since failed to find the net. ⢠Wesley Sneijder has played in a Dutch record 15 World Cup games. He has scored five goals in his last five World Cup knockout matches. Costa Rica ⢠Costa Rica are unbeaten in four World Cup games for the very first time (W2, D2). ⢠They are the first CONCACAF country to reach the quarter-finals since the USA in 2002. ⢠Costa Rica have conceded the joint-fewest goals (two) at the World Cup. ⢠The Ticos' have met European opposition on nine previous occasions at World Cup finals (W3, D2, L4). Their only win in the last seven came against Italy earlier in this tournament. ⢠Jorge Luis Pinto's side have been behind for just 30 minutes in Brazil: against Uruguay in their opening Group D match. ⢠Keylor Navas has saved 87.5% of the shots he has faced so far, making 14 saves (not including penalties). ⢠Bryan Ruiz scored with Costa Rica's only shot on target against Greece. What the bookies say: Holland 1/2on, Draw 16/5, Costa Rica 6/1 Lawroâs Prediction Holland 2 Costa Rica 0
• They have won the last four World Cup matches in which they have fallen behind (inside 90 minutes). WC 2014 Mexico scored 0-1(2-1) Australia scored 1-0(2-3) Spain scored 1-0(1-5) WC 2010 Brazil scored 1-0(1-2)
Not really, I've got a bad feeling about this match to be honest. We are missing Nigel de Jong badly.
I'm torn here. Always go for the underdog and I've loved watching Coasta Rica but I also like European teams to win. Also, the Dutch can stop the Argies whereas the Costa Ricans can't imo. For those reasons 3-0 to the Dutch.
Didn't realise that Netherlands only became a football powerhouse relevantly recently. First post-war qualification was 1974 and they failed to qualify at all in the 80s.
