Robben was perhaps remembering the 2012 European Cup final, where he had won a second-half penalty against Chelsea, took the kick himself and saw it saved by Petr Cech.
Nevertheless, Van Gaal will back himself to win the quarter-final in Salvador, although when he spoke he did not know whether he would be facing Costa Rica or Greece. However, he admitted to using the water breaks to reorganise his team from a 3-5-2 into a 4-3-3. This is outside the spirit of the water breaks but demonstrates the
Arjen Robben apologised for diving during the Netherlands' dramatic victory over Mexico, but insisted that the crucial penalty that sent Louis van Gaal's side through to the quarter-finals was legitimate.
Robben was perhaps remembering the 2012 European Cup final, where he had won a second-half penalty against Chelsea, took the kick himself and saw it saved by Petr Cech.
Nevertheless, Van Gaal will back himself to win the quarter-final in Salvador, although when he spoke he did not know whether he would be facing Costa Rica or Greece. However, he admitted to using the water breaks to reorganise his team from a 3-5-2 into a 4-3-3. This is outside the spirit of the water breaks but demonstrates the kind of cunning in which Van Gaal specialises.
READ MORE: HERRERA FURIOUS AFTER ROBBEN 'DIVE' COSTS MEXICO
NETHERLANDS 2 MEXICO 1 MATCH REPORT
"The players showed they have the belief to fight through to the end," he said. "Let me tell you that the Dutch media thought we would never survive the first round and so how we are suddenly favourites to qualify for the semis is something I have difficulty imagining. But with the team spirit that brought us this victory I think we will be very difficult to beat."
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That the spectacular equaliser was scored by Wesley Sneijder was, Van Gaal thought, significant. "It is not a surprise because he is one of the fittest players in the Dutch team, certainly he is the one that runs the longest and the hardest," the manager said.
"But it will be difficult to imagine Nigel de Jong, who broke down with a groin injury, being fit in time for the quarter-finals. Bringing off Robin van Persie was purely tactical. This is a coach who wants to win tournaments and to do that I have to make changes."
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