Holland Sub Keeper Help Send The Dutch Into The Semis After Coming In Just Seconds To The End Of Extra Time

Everyone seems to think that penalties are luck but Holland Coach Louis Van Gaal thinks differently, he believes that penalties is a science and has now been proven right.

Just seconds before the referee blow the final whisle in their quarter final match with Costa Rica, Van Gaal substituted his goal keeper, sending in Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul to replace Jasper Cillissen who had played the full 120 minutes to prepare for penalty kicks.

The gamble paid off as Krul saved two penalties, the second and the fourth, helping Holland to advance to the semifinals where they will meet Argentina who had earlier on defeated Belgium by a lone goal.

The Dutch would have had themselves to blame if they had lost the match after losing several clear chances during regulation time, hitting the side and cross bar as they pressed for a winning goal. Robin Van Persie was guilty of losing two clear chances. He would have his reserve keeper to thank for their progression to the semis.