Tim Krul: FIFA 14 Potential, Career, World Cup 2014 Stats

Tim Krul was the penalty shootout hero against Costa Rica on Saturday, but what is his career and gaming statistics like?
Tim Krul: FIFA 14 Potential, Career, World Cup 2014 Stats
Netherlands' goalkeeper Tim Krul saves the last penalty kick during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Costa Rica at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Saturday, July 5, 2014. The Ntherlands won 4-3 on penalty kicks. Late substitute Krul made two saves in a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica on Saturday to give the Netherlands a spot in the World Cup semifinals following a 0-0 draw.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
7/7/2014
Updated:
7/7/2014

Tim Krul was the penalty shootout hero against Costa Rica on Saturday, but what is his career and gaming statistics like?

In the Netherlands-Costa Rica World Cup 2014 quarter final, the 26-year-old goalkeeper came on as a substitute in the 119th minute of play, went straight to the penalty shootout, and saved the spot kicks taken by Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umaña.

Otherwise, Krul has spent most of World Cup 2014 seating on the substitutes’ bench.

Career-wise, Krul joined Newcastle United in the 2006/2007 season, before going to Falkirk and Carlisle United on loan in next two seasons.

He returned to Newcastle in 2009 and is their current no. 1 goalkeeper.

According to WhoScored.com, Krul has made 124 appearances for the Toon Army, and has one assist to his name, and five yellow cards.

In EA Sports’ soccer simulator, FIFA 14, Tim Krul starts out Career mode with an overall rating of 79, and has a growth potential of 5, according to Futhead.com.

See an AP story below.

Dutch Goalie: Shootout Tactic Was Fair Play

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul insists he did nothing wrong in confronting Costa Rica’s penalty takers during a World Cup quarterfinal shootout.

Krul’s crucial two saves on Sunday night followed his novel tactic that tested FIFA’s guidelines on fair play. The substitute goalie faced up to opponents at the penalty spot and repeatedly told them he knew where they'd place their shots.

“I don’t think I have done anything wrong,” Krul said at a team news conference. “I haven’t shouted at (them) in an aggressive manner. I haven’t done anything crazy. I just told them I knew where they are going.”

The Dutch team’s 4-3 shootout win after a 0-0 draw set up a semifinal against Argentina.

Krul said he would do the same again if Wednesday’s match goes to a shootout and he again gets substituted in for Jasper Cillessen, who is expected to start in the Dutch goal.

“I am trying obviously to get into their heads and it worked,” said Krul, who instantly entered World Cup lore, both as a rare replacement and for his trash talk. “I use everything in my power to make it happen.”

Krul said he learned just before the match that he might be called on in a penalty shootout. Cillessen said he was not told.

“The manager and the goalie coach told me before the game that if we had another substitution left it was a possible he would use me in the penalty shootout,” Krul said. “So obviously for me the whole game I was watching it with a different view.”

Krul said it had been “difficult” sitting on the bench the entire World Cup and watching Cillessen play, craving his chance to start a match.

“I’m really pleased the manager showed confidence in me to put me in a quarterfinal of a World Cup,” Krul said. “That’s something to be really proud of. There is no jealously, but I would love to play. There is nothing better than playing for your country, but Jasper is our No. 1 at the moment.”

Asked if his late appearance in extra time unsettled the Costa Rica team, Krul said it probably did.

“When I started my warm up the whole bench was kind of confused what is going on,” he said, recalling Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto reaction to Dutch coach Louis van Gaal’s move.

“If you see their manager’s face, he was looking at our manager,” Krul said. “His face was priceless, I think.”

Larry Ong is a New York-based journalist with Epoch Times. He writes about China and Hong Kong. He is also a graduate of the National University of Singapore, where he read history.