The Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said he taught Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero how to save penalties during the time the two spent together at AZ Alkmaar.
The on-loan at Monaco from Sampdoria keeper Romero saved two penalties in the semi-final shootout which was won 4-2 by the Albiceleste after 120 minutes of football ended goalless.
“We didn’t lose to (Argentina) but then the penalties are always a matter of luck,” said van Gaal in his post-match comments.
“Of course I taught Romero how to stop penalties!”
Van Gaal also added that he was proud of what his Oranje side had achieved in making it to the semi-final:
“Of course, we played a fantastic tournament.”
“Nobody expected us to make it through into the next round.”
Van Gaal also seemed to take a humorous dig at fellow beaten semi-finalists Brazil before announcing that he is not interested in facing the Selecao in the third-place playoff:
“I think that losing 7-1 is worse than losing on penalties.”
“You shouldn’t have players play a match for third and fourth place, there should be only one champion.”
The incoming Manchester United boss also revealed that he would have again substituted Jasper Cillessen for Tim Krul as he did against Costa Rica if possible:
“If I could’ve substituted him with Krul, then I would’ve done.”
“I reached penalties with no more substitutions left.”
