• World Cup

Mastermind Van Gaal 'proud' of Krul plan

Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal admitted he was a "little bit proud" of bringing on Tim Krul moments ahead of his side's quarter-final penalty shootout against Costa Rica, but said it had been planned all along.

Van Gaal pulled Jasper Cillessen in the 120th minute in favour of the slightly taller Krul, who made two saves to help the Dutch reach the semi-finals.

Van Gaal said. "We always felt that Tim Krul would be the most appropriate player to stop penalties.

Louis Van Gaal says he planned to bring Tim Krul on against Costa Rica © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Robben: Costa Rica rugby tackled me
  
• Match report: Higuain fires Argentina into semi-finals
  
• Match report: Krul heroics send Netherlands through
  

"He has a long reach and we prepared Costa Rican penalties. He dove into the right corner time and time again. We are a little bit proud that this trick has helped us through."

The Netherlands staff had discussed the goalkeeper change as they prepared for the match - but no one told starting keeper Cillessen.

"First and foremost, the coach decides who is going to play and who is going to be a substitute," Van Gaal said. "We said nothing to Jasper Cillessen because we didn't want to face this before the match. It would be disappointing for him, but every keeper has his specific qualities. We felt Tim had a better track record of saving penalties. Fortunately, this worked out."

Krul has saved two of 20 penalties during his time with Newcastle but failed to stop any of the five spot-kicks he faced last season.

Van Gaal, who will take charge of Manchester United as soon as his World Cup plight is over, said he planned to use Krul while heading into extra time. He did not feel the move came at the expense of swapping out a third outfield before the shootout.

"Before the 90 minutes had ended, I thought they were playing well and that we created lots of opportunities. I didn't have this need to substitute anyone," Van Gaal said.

"I felt that Memphis [Depay] didn't play really well, so I exchanged him for [Jeremain] Lens. In the extra time, I took into account that I would maybe want to use Krul should it come down to penalties.

"Of course, we also had the injuries to [Ron] Vlaar. [Georginio] Wijnaldum was exhausted, [Robin] Van Persie as well. I brought in [Klaas-Jan] Huntelaar, which was a risk. I went from five to four defenders. It was a bit tricky, touch-and-go, but in hindsight, it was a big success."

The Netherlands face Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday and Van Gaal was not impressed with what he saw from his upcoming opponents in their narrow victory against Belgium.

"I saw a match today that Argentina was just stopping and slamming on the brakes," Van Gaal said of their 1-0 victory over Belgium earlier on Saturday.

"I only saw one half of the Argentina match. The beginning was in favour of Argentina and after that, it was Belgium who dominated. I thought Belgium was the better team in the first half. Argentina have strong individual qualities. If the gentleman next to you says Argentina always attacks, well that was not the case against Belgium. Not in the first half."

Van Gaal also said it was a shame that the Netherlands would not be able to face their southern neighbours.

"It's a pity that Belgium have lost," he said. "You must have inferred that from my answers. Well, that's life, isn't it?"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd