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Krul Goes From Sub To Shootout Star
Written by Newcastle Utd
Tim Krul stepped off the substitutes' bench to put Holland into the World Cup semi-finals
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Tim Krul announced himself on the World Cup stage in the most dramatic of fashions on Saturday night - saving two penalties to book Holland's place in the World Cup semi-finals.
The Newcastle United goalkeeper had been an unused substitute in every one of the Netherlands' games in the tournament, and was named on the bench again as they faced Costa Rica in the last eight.
But, with the game goalless after 90 minutes and the sides unable to be separated over an additional half-an-hour of extra-time, Krul was surprisingly summonsed from the replacements just seconds before the tie went to spot-kicks.
It was the 25-year-old's World Cup debut and only his seventh senior international cap, but Krul was not fazed and excelled under pressure.
He brilliantly saved the penalties of Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana - both down low to his left - which earned Holland a 4-3 shootout victory.
The Dutch will now face Argentina in the semi-finals of the World Cup on Wednesday (9pm kick-off).