Sunday 6 July 2014 16:13, UK
Holland goalkeeper Tim Krul is ecstatic to be in the semi-finals of the World Cup after his dramatic introduction to the tournament.
The Newcastle player came on late in extra time and produced two saves in a penalty shoot-out against Costa Rica after a goalless draw over 120 minutes in Saturday's quarter-final in Salvador.
"Tonight I have realised a dream," Krul told www.telegraaf.nl. "What I've experienced is an incredible emotion.
"(Holland coach Louis) van Gaal had warned me. It was something prepared and I knew that I would have this chance."
Van Gaal promised Jasper Cillessen - who, unlike Krul, was not told of the planned change for the shoot-out - that he remains his first choice for the semi-final.
"There is no question about who will start next game, it will be Cillessen," he said. "But we felt Krul was the better choice here.
"We told Krul that he would be a possibility for the penalties, but we didn't tell Cillessen, as we didn't want to ruin his preparation."
Van Gaal revealed why he had picked Krul for the shoot-out - because he was taller, being 6ft 4in to Cillessen's 6ft 2in - and had a longer reach.
"We all thought Tim was the best keeper to stop penalties. He is taller and has a longer reach.
"It worked out. That was beautiful. I'm a bit proud of that."
The Oranje had numerous chances to win the game without the need for spot-kicks but were denied by the woodwork three times as well as by an inspired display from Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas.
"It was that kind of night when the ball did not want to go in," midfielder Wesley Sneijder added. "But despite all of our hard work we still went into the penalty shoot-out sharp.
"There was only one team that deserved to go to the semi-finals and it was us. If you work hard you go very far."
Holland, runners-up four years ago in South Africa, take on Argentina in the last four on Wednesday in Sao Paulo.
"Now we have to think of Argentina," Krul said. "It will be a very difficult game."
