Costa Rica's coach blames referees for owing Costa Rica two penalties

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Salvador (Brazil), July 6 (IANS) Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto believed that his team should have been given two penalties from the referees in the match against the Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-final here Saturday.

Thanks to the substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul, the Netherlands defeated Costa Rica 4-3 in the penalty shootout to face up Argentina in the semi-final, reported Xinhua.

However, Pinto thought the result would be different if the referee had made the "right" decision when Netherlands defender Bruno Martins tackled down Joel Campbell inside the penalty box in the second half.

"We should have had two penalties today (Saturday), I respect all of the referees here but they are not good enough tonight. There have been huge mistakes that shouldn't happen, so I think FIFA should study this," Pinto said in the post-match press conference.

Despite the controversy of penalty, Pinto praised the whole team and asked players to leave the World Cup with proud.

"We have left a positive and dignified impression of Costa Rican football. I'm proud of the players and so is the country. They've given everything they have."

"When we came here many people didn't believe in us, but during this World Cup we've done many beautiful things. Even though we have to leave the tournament we haven't been beaten, even by the super-powers we came up against," said Pinto.