WC-MOTD21-P2
Day 21: Part 2:-
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica:-
Do NOT be fooled by the score-line! This was far from a drab nil-nil draw as two great tactical minds clashed in one of the most fiercely contested 2014 WC matches so far (tactically speaking)!!!
As usual, Coach Louis van Gaal decided to further tinker with his system by going for a wide 3-4-3 formation, with Blind and Kuyt both acting as SMs/WBs behind a three man attacking line-up, built around the focal point that is Robin Van Persie.
Coach Jorge Luis Pinto did not throw any surprises as he continued with the same tactical set-up which has been serving him well so far.
It was a rather amusing opening to the game; for, based on both teams’ tactical blueprints, neither was very comfortable with possession of the ball as the two sets of players looked to mainly play on the counter via mostly long vertical balls.
The Dutch started pressing higher up the pitch as time passed by and were looking to somehow draw Costa Rica’s players into their own half in an attempt to execute quick breaks themselves.
Both teams were fairly very compact and well organized at the back; but it was the Netherlands who were finding more and more spaces in the final third, and were it not for a lack of central support from Sneijder, they might have just been able to create some really dangerous opportunities early on.
Costa Rica were never risking too much as they attacked in doses, albeit with flair and attitude, and looked to make the most out of some set-piece situations and aerial ball deliveries; they were, however, not lethal enough in front of goal.
Nothing but extremely tactical play was displayed for the majority of the first half from both sides!
The Dutch eventually saw more of the ball and even had more genuine goal-scoring chances; but they were unable to get proper passes forward into Costa Rica’s box, as Van Persie struggled to break away from his markers time and time again.
The Costa Ricans were a bit fragile at the back, but played generally well in defense overall; shifting properly according to the ball’s movement and closing down spaces on Holland’s most dangerous men. In attack, they lacked some urgency and accuracy and needed a bit more aggressiveness when losing possession.
The second half took cue from the first and saw the tactical battle between both teams’ midfield-lines continue!
The Dutch were the more offensive side though as they focused play down the channels (specifically the right one); but they were incapable of really breaking through the opposition’s backline, with Van Persie being too passive in his play.
Costa Rica had their own difficulties when attempting to launch ultra-fast counter-attacks; seemingly unable to convert their chances on the break into genuine goal-threatening opportunities.
The Netherlands were continuously being frustrated by their failed attempts at feeding Van Persie in between Costa Rica’s defense, and they really lacked some creative options from the center of midfield.
The Dutch pressed more and more as full-time drew ever closer; trying to play several aerial crosses in an attempt to use their physicality in headed duels.
Meanwhile, Costa Rica were not very efficient with their ball deliveries from deep positions, and they chose to somewhat retreat into their own half and not attack anymore as the half came to an end.
In yet another tactically-orientated half, Holland spent much more time in the opposition’s final third; but they could neither convert their chances effectively nor make more use of their target man, due to his poor positional play. They were also missing an element of clear aggressiveness in midfield (largely because of De Jong’s absence!).
Costa Rica defended bravely over the course of the entire 90 minutes, but they barely offered anything particularly noticeable in attack; for they did not inject enough urgency and physical presence in their offensive movements.
The first half of extra-time saw the Dutch continue their high-press game, and it seemed like they were coming closer and closer to scoring that elusive first (and, probably, winning) goal!
However, Costa Rica, who did not have any proper reaction in terms of in-play options, were able to slow the game’s tempo and protect the ball as the Dutch were limited to long balls from deep areas for the rest of the half.
The second half saw a slight change in momentum for both teams, with the Netherlands switching to a 4-2-4 formation as they looked to make the most of the extra physical presence now gained from Huntelaar’s substitution.
The idea was to allow Van Persie to drop deep and attempt to pull one, or more, Costa Rican CB(s) in a bid to free spaces at the back, which would then be exposed collectively by their extra striker, wingers and/or midfielders!
Here, aerial play from wide positions was a very important aspect of their offensive approach.
Costa Rica, however, had other ideas, as they somehow managed to draw “special” energy levels out of almost nowhere and took a shot at going forward for the last few minutes of the game; coming close on 2 separate occasions with some really end-to-end stuff on display!
It was an absolute tactical tussle between both teams’ coaches in extra-time and the game was really brought to life in the dying moments.
The Netherlands tried really hard, and were it not for a combination of Van Persie’s poor positional play, a missing spark in midfield, as well as a lack of some precision in front of goal, they would have buried the game long before it went into extra-time.
Costa Rica displayed a really brilliant and well organized defensive performance; but did not offer too much in attack as they lacked many elements needed to convert those counter-attacking chances they had.
Nonetheless, they should take great heart from their amazing run at this WC; for, when they arrived, some footballing experts did not give them the slightest chance of even QUALIFYING from the group-stage, yet alone coming THAT close to reaching a historic WC semi-final! Hats off to them…
Man of the match: Keylor Navas: Great solid display of goalkeeping skills between the posts and he heads back home as one of the best goalkeepers in this tournament!
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica:-
Do NOT be fooled by the score-line! This was far from a drab nil-nil draw as two great tactical minds clashed in one of the most fiercely contested 2014 WC matches so far (tactically speaking)!!!
As usual, Coach Louis van Gaal decided to further tinker with his system by going for a wide 3-4-3 formation, with Blind and Kuyt both acting as SMs/WBs behind a three man attacking line-up, built around the focal point that is Robin Van Persie.
Coach Jorge Luis Pinto did not throw any surprises as he continued with the same tactical set-up which has been serving him well so far.
It was a rather amusing opening to the game; for, based on both teams’ tactical blueprints, neither was very comfortable with possession of the ball as the two sets of players looked to mainly play on the counter via mostly long vertical balls.
The Dutch started pressing higher up the pitch as time passed by and were looking to somehow draw Costa Rica’s players into their own half in an attempt to execute quick breaks themselves.
Both teams were fairly very compact and well organized at the back; but it was the Netherlands who were finding more and more spaces in the final third, and were it not for a lack of central support from Sneijder, they might have just been able to create some really dangerous opportunities early on.
Costa Rica were never risking too much as they attacked in doses, albeit with flair and attitude, and looked to make the most out of some set-piece situations and aerial ball deliveries; they were, however, not lethal enough in front of goal.
Nothing but extremely tactical play was displayed for the majority of the first half from both sides!
The Dutch eventually saw more of the ball and even had more genuine goal-scoring chances; but they were unable to get proper passes forward into Costa Rica’s box, as Van Persie struggled to break away from his markers time and time again.
The Costa Ricans were a bit fragile at the back, but played generally well in defense overall; shifting properly according to the ball’s movement and closing down spaces on Holland’s most dangerous men. In attack, they lacked some urgency and accuracy and needed a bit more aggressiveness when losing possession.
The second half took cue from the first and saw the tactical battle between both teams’ midfield-lines continue!
The Dutch were the more offensive side though as they focused play down the channels (specifically the right one); but they were incapable of really breaking through the opposition’s backline, with Van Persie being too passive in his play.
Costa Rica had their own difficulties when attempting to launch ultra-fast counter-attacks; seemingly unable to convert their chances on the break into genuine goal-threatening opportunities.
The Netherlands were continuously being frustrated by their failed attempts at feeding Van Persie in between Costa Rica’s defense, and they really lacked some creative options from the center of midfield.
The Dutch pressed more and more as full-time drew ever closer; trying to play several aerial crosses in an attempt to use their physicality in headed duels.
Meanwhile, Costa Rica were not very efficient with their ball deliveries from deep positions, and they chose to somewhat retreat into their own half and not attack anymore as the half came to an end.
In yet another tactically-orientated half, Holland spent much more time in the opposition’s final third; but they could neither convert their chances effectively nor make more use of their target man, due to his poor positional play. They were also missing an element of clear aggressiveness in midfield (largely because of De Jong’s absence!).
Costa Rica defended bravely over the course of the entire 90 minutes, but they barely offered anything particularly noticeable in attack; for they did not inject enough urgency and physical presence in their offensive movements.
The first half of extra-time saw the Dutch continue their high-press game, and it seemed like they were coming closer and closer to scoring that elusive first (and, probably, winning) goal!
However, Costa Rica, who did not have any proper reaction in terms of in-play options, were able to slow the game’s tempo and protect the ball as the Dutch were limited to long balls from deep areas for the rest of the half.
The second half saw a slight change in momentum for both teams, with the Netherlands switching to a 4-2-4 formation as they looked to make the most of the extra physical presence now gained from Huntelaar’s substitution.
The idea was to allow Van Persie to drop deep and attempt to pull one, or more, Costa Rican CB(s) in a bid to free spaces at the back, which would then be exposed collectively by their extra striker, wingers and/or midfielders!
Here, aerial play from wide positions was a very important aspect of their offensive approach.
Costa Rica, however, had other ideas, as they somehow managed to draw “special” energy levels out of almost nowhere and took a shot at going forward for the last few minutes of the game; coming close on 2 separate occasions with some really end-to-end stuff on display!
It was an absolute tactical tussle between both teams’ coaches in extra-time and the game was really brought to life in the dying moments.
The Netherlands tried really hard, and were it not for a combination of Van Persie’s poor positional play, a missing spark in midfield, as well as a lack of some precision in front of goal, they would have buried the game long before it went into extra-time.
Costa Rica displayed a really brilliant and well organized defensive performance; but did not offer too much in attack as they lacked many elements needed to convert those counter-attacking chances they had.
Nonetheless, they should take great heart from their amazing run at this WC; for, when they arrived, some footballing experts did not give them the slightest chance of even QUALIFYING from the group-stage, yet alone coming THAT close to reaching a historic WC semi-final! Hats off to them…
Man of the match: Keylor Navas: Great solid display of goalkeeping skills between the posts and he heads back home as one of the best goalkeepers in this tournament!
Ahmad Al-Omar - 6. Jul, 00:13
