Netherlands will face Costa Rica in a World Cup quarter-final in Salvador on Saturday evening.
The Dutch have progressed so far after they topped Group B and beat Mexico 2-1 at the Round of 16. They were on the cusp of defeat to Mexico but two late goals saw them advance to the next round and maintain their record of having won every game. The fact that they progressed without having to go through via the additional effort of extra time might be an advantage.
Costa Rica also had a tumultuous journey on their way to the quarter-finals after they beat Greece 5-3 in a penalty shootout after the score was1-1 after 90 minutes. The winners of Group D were on the verge of progressing in normal time before a last minute Sokratis Papastathopoulos goal took the game to extra time. A Greek win had seemed on the cards but a 10-man Costa Rica side managed desperately to hang on and take the game to penalties where they kept their composure and scored with all five efforts.
Despite being labelled as no-hopers before the competition, Costa Rica have displayed they can play and they have not fluked their way to the quarter finals. Coach Jorge Luis Pinto learnt much from Dutch tactician Rinus Michels in his younger days and the ideology of ‘Total Football’ is one that has left a mark on him. 
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been one of the tournament’s outstanding players and his performance could be vital against a Dutch side that contains the attacking threat of Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.
But the Costa Rica coach is worried by not just the abilities of the Dutch attack. Pinto has publicly put the focus back onto Robben and any potential gamesmanship from him after the Bayern Munich man admitted to diving against Mexico.
“I would like to ask Fifa and the referees to watch Robben,” said Pinto.
“We’re really worried about his diving.
“He has admitted doing it.”
Up front, Costa Rica will again be looking to Joel Campbell to do the work for them. The Arsenal striker scored once against Uruguay and has looked dangerous throughout, but perhaps most impressive was the effort he put in against Greece when he continued to lead the line despite seemingly being hardly able to stand up.
Celso Borges has kept things ticking over in midfield and Bryan Ruiz still looks a talented if inconsistent player. His time at FC Twente and PSV mean he is well versed in Dutch football.
The Netherlands camp insists they will not be taking Costa Rica lightly yet they remain confident and spirits are high. Louis van Gaal claimed that he will not reveal anything to the press regarding tactics or the line-ups beforehand as he has too much respect for the opposition and he fears a release of his plans could play into their hands. 
“There are no easy games,” said Netherlands defender Ron Vlaar on Aston Villa’s official website with the Oranje two wins away from the World Cup final.
“It will be another hard game again – but we are really looking forward to it.”
“I am really looking forward to the game on Saturday.
“It’s another great challenge – another good game against good opposition,” concluded Vlaar.
The script suggests that the favorites will win and the Dutch will progress to the semi-finals. This has been a tournament of admirable performances in which the underdogs win many friends but ultimately get beaten and sent home. The Oranje have already vanquished one plucky underdog in Mexico and the experience of saving a game at the death proves they know how to win.
This Netherlands side doesn’t always play attractive football; no one would say that they’ve seen the famous total football. However a more pragmatic style of play has got results and the form of Robben and van Persie means they are likely to continue the winning streak against Costa Rica.
The Central Americans will no doubt push the Dutch hard as they seek to be the first CONCACAF nation to make a semi-final since 1930. But, in the end the Netherlands have the greater quality, depth and experience that will be needed to send Costa Rica home in what could well be another glorious defeat for the underdog.
The winner will face either Argentina or Belgium in the semi-final.
