After the full normal 90 minutes of play there was stalement. They played an extra 30 minutes and still the match ended 0 - 0.
There were just a few chances created in the encounter by the two teams. And the two leading stars in either camp - Messi for Aegentina and Robben for the Netherlands were not given space by the oppositions to operate.
The Dutch players |
Infact Lionel Messi hardly touch ball in the box, while Arjan Robben in a few moments of brilliance in the box, where not allowed by the Argentine defenders to take shots.
In the penalty shoot out two Dutch players Wesley Snijder and Ron Vlaar missed. The Argentine goalkeeper, Sergio Romero blocked their shots, while the Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillisen could not save any penalty.
The Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal said that he asked two players to take the first penalty kick, but they refused to be the first to take the penalty. Then Ron Vlaar who was outstanding in the match accepted to do it.
''I asked two players to take the first ball, before ending up with Vlaar.
I taught he was the best player on the pitch so should have confidence,'' coach Louis van Gaal said.
In a twist of fate, Sergio Romero, who played under van Gaal for two seasons, and was taught by the coach how to stop penalties, became the man to deny van Gaal's team passage to the final.
''Penalties are always a matter of luck. And I taught Romero how to stop penalties so that hurts,'' Van Gaal said.
Though after the match, the goalkeeper Romero went and thanked Van Gaal for everything he did for him at AZ Alkmaar club.
Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com
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