No apology for Krul penalty tricks

Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul insists he did nothing wrong in confronting Costa Rica’s penalty takers during a World Cup quarter-final shootout.

Krul’s crucial two saves followed his novel tactic that tested FIFA’s guidelines on fair play. The substitute goalie faced up to opponents at the penalty spot and repeatedly told them he knew where they would place their shots.

“I don’t think I have done anything wrong,” Krul said at a team news conference. “I haven’t shouted at (them) in an aggressive manner. I haven’t done anything crazy. I just told them I knew where they are going.” 

The Dutch team’s 4-3 shootout win after a 0-0 draw set up a semi-final against Argentina.

Krul said he would do the same again if their semi-final agaisnt Argentina goes to a shootout and he again gets substituted in for Jasper Cillessen, who is expected to start in the Dutch goal.

“I am trying obviously to get into their heads and it worked,” said Krul, who instantly entered World Cup lore, both as a rare replacement and for his trash talk.

Krul craving chance

Krul said it had been ‘difficult’ sitting on the bench the entire World Cup and watching Cillessen play, craving his chance to start a match.

“I’m really pleased the manager showed confidence in me to put me in a quarter-final of a World Cup,” Krul said. “That’s something to be really proud of. There is no jealously, but I would love to play. There is nothing better than playing for your country, but Jasper is our number one at the moment.”

Asked if his late appearance in extra time unsettled the Costa Rica team, Krul said it probably did.

“When I started my warm up the whole bench was kind of confused what is going on,” he said, recalling Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto reaction to Dutch coach Louis van Gaal’s move.

“If you see their manager’s face, he was looking at our manager,” Krul said. “His face was priceless, I think.”