Cybereagles

This costa rican team is solid. Look at how they move as a unit and defend.

van Persie needs to wake up. He has squandered too many chances.....

HT

The Dutch are gutless. They think they need to have the perfectly safe opportunity to take a shot. They prefer security over ambition. So far they've not shown enough individual quality on the chances they did have.

I get that you have to take care, as Costa Rica can break. But this is playing right into how Costa Rica wants the game to go.

On the other hand, Costa Rica has decided to go catenaccio. They too are abandoning what got them here.

Cheers, Mate

all the attacking play in the 1st round has been abandones. rubbish, boring games a plenty since!

Van Gaal needs to switch it up. Playing 5-2-3 is not working. First you dont need 5 guys with defensive responsibilities vs Costa Rica. Second, there is no midfield build-up and no link between defence and attack. Then you have Memphis who is redundant. Then you have Kuyt providing the width limiting Robben's ability to make his wide runs from the right before cutting in. Holland either needs to sub Memphis for a CM and allow Sneijder to play the point, or move one of the defenders into the centre of the pitch. Holland will easily win this match (Costa Rica could not even manage a single shot in the first half) but van Gaal needs to stop experimenting so deep into the tournament.

mate wrote:The Dutch are gutless. They think they need to have the perfectly safe opportunity to take a shot. They prefer security over ambition. So far they've not shown enough individual quality on the chances they did have.

I get that you have to take care, as Costa Rica can break. But this is playing right into how Costa Rica wants the game to go.

On the other hand, Costa Rica has decided to go catenaccio. They too are abandoning what got them here.

Cheers, Mate

Not sure what u are talking about. This is how CRC play

The only difference here is they are not managing the phases of the game they have possession very well.

By far the best half of football in the q/finals

They are missing their top CM/DM I forget his name now...

The Dutch are favorites allright, but I have all the time for this CRC team and some...

mate wrote:The Dutch are gutless. They think they need to have the perfectly safe opportunity to take a shot. They prefer security over ambition. So far they've not shown enough individual quality on the chances they did have.

I get that you have to take care, as Costa Rica can break. But this is playing right into how Costa Rica wants the game to go.

On the other hand, Costa Rica has decided to go catenaccio. They too are abandoning what got them here.

Cheers, Mate

The Dutch have had periods where they only had 2 guys sitting back with 8 players in advanced positions. Costa Rica is sitting back making it tough for Holland to break through. Only one team has come out looking to play - Holland.

This is how Costa Rica plays. They hit you on the break. Holland need to draw them out. Robben is faster than any of their players and the high line will get them.

Heliopolis wrote:Van Gaal needs to switch it up. Playing 5-2-3 is not working. First you dont need 5 guys with defensive responsibilities vs Costa Rica. Second, there is no midfield build-up and no link between defence and attack. Then you have Memphis who is redundant. Then you have Kuyt providing the width limiting Robben's ability to make his wide runs from the right before cutting in. Holland either needs to sub Memphis for a CM and allow Sneijder to play the point, or move one of the defenders into the centre of the pitch. Holland will easily win this match (Costa Rica could not even manage a single shot in the first half) but van Gaal needs to stop experimenting so deep into the tournament.

3-5-2

Heliopolis wrote:

mate wrote:The Dutch are gutless. They think they need to have the perfectly safe opportunity to take a shot. They prefer security over ambition. So far they've not shown enough individual quality on the chances they did have.

I get that you have to take care, as Costa Rica can break. But this is playing right into how Costa Rica wants the game to go.

On the other hand, Costa Rica has decided to go catenaccio. They too are abandoning what got them here.

Cheers, Mate

The Dutch have had periods where they only had 2 guys sitting back with 8 players in advanced positions. Costa Rica is sitting back making it tough for Holland to break through. Only one team has come out looking to play - Holland.

Exactly! I don't get all these accolades for CR. Only Holland is playing.

TXJ, they committed a lot more offensively when they won the ball in their past matches. They're hardly attempting to go forward today. A lot of long balls too. It's just not the same taking of risk.

I saw Costa Rica gave Uruguay and Italy a lot more offense.

And with the Dutch showing a lot of respect, it's not an exciting game.

Cheers, Mate

mate wrote:The Dutch are gutless. They think they need to have the perfectly safe opportunity to take a shot. They prefer security over ambition. So far they've not shown enough individual quality on the chances they did have.

I get that you have to take care, as Costa Rica can break. But this is playing right into how Costa Rica wants the game to go.

On the other hand, Costa Rica has decided to go catenaccio. They too are abandoning what got them here.

Cheers, Mate

You want the Dutch to stop doing what got them here...by taking shots but you want Costa Rican not to abandon what got them here...whatever it is that got them here anyway? Ain't that speaking from both sides of the mouth?

That said, the Dutch have got good shots on goal already but Navas has been a sublime stopper while the Ticos have defended just like they have always done. Their game is built on good defensive organization but they also attack together though their attacks have been limited cos they are not playing against push overs.

txj wrote:

Heliopolis wrote:Van Gaal needs to switch it up. Playing 5-2-3 is not working. First you dont need 5 guys with defensive responsibilities vs Costa Rica. Second, there is no midfield build-up and no link between defence and attack. Then you have Memphis who is redundant. Then you have Kuyt providing the width limiting Robben's ability to make his wide runs from the right before cutting in. Holland either needs to sub Memphis for a CM and allow Sneijder to play the point, or move one of the defenders into the centre of the pitch. Holland will easily win this match (Costa Rica could not even manage a single shot in the first half) but van Gaal needs to stop experimenting so deep into the tournament.

3-5-2

Yes I know...it's the same thing.

joplass wrote:

Heliopolis wrote:

mate wrote:The Dutch are gutless. They think they need to have the perfectly safe opportunity to take a shot. They prefer security over ambition. So far they've not shown enough individual quality on the chances they did have.

I get that you have to take care, as Costa Rica can break. But this is playing right into how Costa Rica wants the game to go.

On the other hand, Costa Rica has decided to go catenaccio. They too are abandoning what got them here.

Cheers, Mate

The Dutch have had periods where they only had 2 guys sitting back with 8 players in advanced positions. Costa Rica is sitting back making it tough for Holland to break through. Only one team has come out looking to play - Holland.

Exactly! I don't get all these accolades for CR. Only Holland is playing.

SMH

CR's goalie has amazing reflexes

One has to admire the tactical abilities if the Dutch though. For me they are awesome. The way they execute that three msn defensive line is a marvel to watch

txj wrote:

joplass wrote:

Heliopolis wrote:

mate wrote:The Dutch are gutless. They think they need to have the perfectly safe opportunity to take a shot. They prefer security over ambition. So far they've not shown enough individual quality on the chances they did have.

I get that you have to take care, as Costa Rica can break. But this is playing right into how Costa Rica wants the game to go.

On the other hand, Costa Rica has decided to go catenaccio. They too are abandoning what got them here.

Cheers, Mate

The Dutch have had periods where they only had 2 guys sitting back with 8 players in advanced positions. Costa Rica is sitting back making it tough for Holland to break through. Only one team has come out looking to play - Holland.

Exactly! I don't get all these accolades for CR. Only Holland is playing.

SMH

sometimes man

A fk alright but a dive as well

See training ground routine....stuff a West African nation was never known for

NED is living dangerously because CRC is growing in confidence...

CR please don't open yash ooh.Do some people like film trick

How did Robben control that ball ?

one of the best defensive performances I've seen at this WC..just awesome to watch.

and they almost nick something...