Dutch not taking Ticos lightly

Netherlands' coach Louis van Gaal gives a press conference at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador on July 04, 2014, on the eve of a quarter-final football match between Netherlands and Costa Rica during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. AFP
Netherlands' coach Louis van Gaal gives a press conference at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador on July 04, 2014, on the eve of a quarter-final football match between Netherlands and Costa Rica during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. AFP

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said there was no danger of taking quarter-final opponents Costa Rica lightly.

But he indicated that the Netherlands were already considering a place in the final as they aim for their first World Cup title.

"No, no, no. I don't think there's any question of underestimating Costa Rica," Van Gaal told reporters.

"I would say that the players consider this to be the most important stage and they are going for their objective. And the objective is not something we want to underestimate.

"Our goal has always been to win world championships," added the coach. "We're not a fantastic team but we're a team that's difficult to beat... and I hope we can keep that up, up to and including the final."