Van Gaal scripts history with Krul gamble

Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal scripted history as he substituted his goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen with penalty specialist Tim Krul barely seconds before the end of extra time for the penalty shoot-out. Krul starred with two brilliant saves as the Netherlands beat Costa Rica in their World Cup quarterfinal here Saturday.

It was a masterstroke from Van Gaal and was meticulously planned. Van Gaal kept his fist choice goalkeeper Cillessen in the dark that he would be replaced by the long armed Krul if the match went into the penalty shoot-outs.

But Van Gaal had told Krul, who plays for Newcastle United, in advance that he should get ready if there was a shoot-out.

Van Gaal revealed during the post-match press conference that he kept Cillessen in the dark about the substitution so that he would not be "disappointed" before the game.

"With Tim Krul you know he has this long reach, and I am a bit proud of that. We said nothing to Jasper because we didn't want before the match for him to be faced with this information as it would be disappointing for him," said Van Gaal.

"But every keeper has specific qualities and we felt that Tim had a longer reach and better track record with penalties than Jasper. We had discussed it with Tim Krul, and the order of Costa Rica and how they would take their penalties and he had to be prepared. Fortunately it worked out," he said.

Van Gaal is not the first Dutch coach to do so. His compatriot Guus Hiddink tried out a similar ploy while he was in charge of the Australian football team during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers that the Socceroos won against Uruguay to book their ticket to Germany.