Netherlands
coach Louis Van Gaal says two of his players refused to take the first penalty
in their World Cup semifinal shootout defeat by Argentina.
Defender
Ron Vlaar penalty was stopped Argentina keeper Sergio Romero - a player who was
"taught how to stop penalties" by Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar
Van
Gaal had asked two of his players to take the first kick before ending up with
Vlaar, “I thought he was the best player on the pitch so should have
confidence.”
Argentina
goal keeper was signed from AZ from Buenos Aires-based Racing Club in 2007 by
Van Gaal and spent two years working under Van Gaal.
Romero
sought out his former manager at the end of the match.
"I
went to the dressing room to thank him," he said. "He is someone who
helped me a lot when I arrived in the Netherlands, in a completely different
country, with different customs.
Match
facts
The
Netherlands have lost both of their semi-final shootouts (the first coming v
Brazil in 1998).
Argentina
have won all four of their World Cup semi-finals.
Arjen
Robben attempted just one pass in the first half against Argentina.
Lionel
Messi did not touch the ball in the penalty area during the 120 minutes.
Against
Costa Rica, Van Gaal brought on substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul in place of
Jasper Cillessen for the shootout - a tactic which worked as Krul saved two
spot-kicks.
But
he was unable to call on the Newcastle player again, having already made his
three substitutions after withdrawing Van Persie in favour of Klaas-Jan
Huntelaar.
"If
I had had the opportunity to substitute Jasper I would have done that but I had
already used three substitutes so I couldn't," Van Gaal said.
"I
thought it was necessary to get Van Persie out because he was on his last legs.
My feeling was that Huntelaar would make the goal.
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