((HT: ESPN/FIFA))
And it was one side that showed its prowess and another who escaped from Cinderella...
In the first game of the day Argentina got an early strike and rode it to a 1-0 win over a spirited Belgium side. And, with everyone looking at Lionel Messi as the man to keep in check, it was Higuain and the other nine to pick up the slack
The nightcap was Costa Rica and the Netherlands. Everyone was looking for the Oranje to steamroll the upstart of the final 8, but the Ticos made them earn it- going scoreless through 90 and extra time- forcing the Dutch to penalty kicks. Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal made an interesting switch leading to the kicks, swapping out goaltenders- bringing in Newcastle's Tim Krul for the final act.
The gamble worked
News on Neymar from the Brazilian physicians have him back being active in 40-45 days- certainly good news for the sport as FIFA will examine the knee to the back that caused the injury.
Showing posts with label Costa Rica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Costa Rica. Show all posts
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Sunday From Brazil: Dutch Come Back On El Tri, Ticos Advance to Quarters
((HT: ESPN/FIFA))
It will be one of those questions for the Dutch, now, moving forward...
Did it galvanize you or did it take too much out of you...???
Mexico had their way with the Oranje for 80 minutes or so, but head coach Louis Van Gaal made a van Persie substitution count for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for the conversion of a late PK and a 2-1 stoppage time win to advance to the final 8.
And, yes, Arjen Robben flopped for the avail on the penalty kick
Here's the analysis
And it appears that Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera would like to blame the officials for calling the Robben dive
Univision should sign Herrera for the remainder of the tournament as an analyst right now...
In the night cap, Costa Rica had the lead and was fighting off an anemic Greece offense for 20-plus minutes before a late equalizer and penalty kicks themselves. Navas came up big in net and Costa Rica advances to their first quarterfinal ever.
The whole idea of him being off his line is out the window, apparently...
All that effort from Costa Rica as they were a man down...
It will be one of those questions for the Dutch, now, moving forward...
Did it galvanize you or did it take too much out of you...???
Mexico had their way with the Oranje for 80 minutes or so, but head coach Louis Van Gaal made a van Persie substitution count for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for the conversion of a late PK and a 2-1 stoppage time win to advance to the final 8.
And, yes, Arjen Robben flopped for the avail on the penalty kick
Here's the analysis
And it appears that Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera would like to blame the officials for calling the Robben dive
Univision should sign Herrera for the remainder of the tournament as an analyst right now...
In the night cap, Costa Rica had the lead and was fighting off an anemic Greece offense for 20-plus minutes before a late equalizer and penalty kicks themselves. Navas came up big in net and Costa Rica advances to their first quarterfinal ever.
The whole idea of him being off his line is out the window, apparently...
All that effort from Costa Rica as they were a man down...
Friday, June 20, 2014
Costa Rica Knocks Off Italy, England Knocked Out
((HT: ESPN/FIFA))
Italy looks like they're another squad that might be in transition (or in need of transition) after the Forza Azzuri's 1-0 loss to Costa Rica Friday. The result puts Italy in an interesting place heading into their third match and knocks England out before their third- against Costa Rica before the knockout stages.
Here's the highlights
The Ticos haven't made the Round of 16 since 1990, but it will be interesting to see how they respond to life in the next round.
And the larger question may be the future of Prandelli and his Italian squad.
Italy looks like they're another squad that might be in transition (or in need of transition) after the Forza Azzuri's 1-0 loss to Costa Rica Friday. The result puts Italy in an interesting place heading into their third match and knocks England out before their third- against Costa Rica before the knockout stages.
Here's the highlights
The Ticos haven't made the Round of 16 since 1990, but it will be interesting to see how they respond to life in the next round.
And the larger question may be the future of Prandelli and his Italian squad.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
And Costa Rica Tells Uruguay To Stick It
((HT: ESPN/FIFA))
A lot of firsts, except for Jon Champion calling both of the early shockers in the soccer matches in Brazil...
Costa Rica gets their first win in over a decade in the competition and they put THREE in Uruguay in a decisive 3-1 win. Cavani put home a PK in the 24th minute to give the Uruguayans and their smedium uniforms a 1-0 lead. They carried the lead into the break and then, well, they broke.
The Ticos scored the most goals ever in a game with Campbell, Duarte, and Urena knocking it in the net. Maxi Pereira picked up a red card for a silly challenge on Campbell and it's on in Group D.
There was a question about the Duarte goal and whether or not the play should have been whistled offsides...
But the Urena goal had a great amount of slice spin on it for the dagger
And now Uruguay has to fight uphill for the rest of Group stage
A lot of firsts, except for Jon Champion calling both of the early shockers in the soccer matches in Brazil...
Costa Rica gets their first win in over a decade in the competition and they put THREE in Uruguay in a decisive 3-1 win. Cavani put home a PK in the 24th minute to give the Uruguayans and their smedium uniforms a 1-0 lead. They carried the lead into the break and then, well, they broke.
The Ticos scored the most goals ever in a game with Campbell, Duarte, and Urena knocking it in the net. Maxi Pereira picked up a red card for a silly challenge on Campbell and it's on in Group D.
There was a question about the Duarte goal and whether or not the play should have been whistled offsides...
But the Urena goal had a great amount of slice spin on it for the dagger
And now Uruguay has to fight uphill for the rest of Group stage
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Would El Tri Do What The USMNT Did Last Night...???
Conventional wisdom says "no..."
For about a 45-minute window last night, CONCACAF was back-and-forth flipworthy television...
Considering what needed to happen for the play-in game in New Zealand with the US, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica going at it, the ending was nothing short of the 2012 Premier League finish...
To recap, Costa Rica and the US were in to head to Rio for the world title games in 2014. But in the last part of the round robin, the play-in spot was in play...
Here's what the US did to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a "B" team squad that really didn't need to prove anything...
((HT: beINSport))
Now, Mexico travels to New Zealand, but will have to play without Chichirito on yellow accumulation...
For about a 45-minute window last night, CONCACAF was back-and-forth flipworthy television...
Considering what needed to happen for the play-in game in New Zealand with the US, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica going at it, the ending was nothing short of the 2012 Premier League finish...
To recap, Costa Rica and the US were in to head to Rio for the world title games in 2014. But in the last part of the round robin, the play-in spot was in play...
Here's what the US did to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a "B" team squad that really didn't need to prove anything...
((HT: beINSport))
Now, Mexico travels to New Zealand, but will have to play without Chichirito on yellow accumulation...
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
USMNT Fighting Uphill Vs Costa Rica In Gold Cup Group Finale (But Winning)
((HT: Fox Soccer/CONCACAF))
Okay... something had to give between the USMNT and Costa Rica- both unbeaten in their last seven...
The US dominated time of possession in the first half and had their chances early in the second...
Which included this...
Costa Rica should be playing with ten for the rest of the game, but they're not...
Scoreless in the 63rd minute...
It was a shot on goal outside the box and not a pass...
Nicely done, CONCACAF...
UPDATE: 83rd minute, this happened...
So, for now, the US wins Group C with Costa Rica second and Cuba third to advance
Okay... something had to give between the USMNT and Costa Rica- both unbeaten in their last seven...
The US dominated time of possession in the first half and had their chances early in the second...
Which included this...
Costa Rica should be playing with ten for the rest of the game, but they're not...
Scoreless in the 63rd minute...
It was a shot on goal outside the box and not a pass...
Nicely done, CONCACAF...
UPDATE: 83rd minute, this happened...
So, for now, the US wins Group C with Costa Rica second and Cuba third to advance
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Costa Rican Fans Turn Backs On FIFA, Literally...
((HT: beInSport))
We all know just how bent out of shape the Costa Rican national team and their supporters are after the Snow Bowl in Denver and the team's 1-0 loss to the US Men's National Team...
Here's what happened last night during the entrance of the FIFA flag and playing of their hymn as they waited for the match against Jamaica to begin...
A Costa Rica soccer federation official said that the protest would be made Saturday. Costa Rica has 24 hours to file a written protest with FIFA according to rules of engagement...
Ten minutes into the second half (or the 3:25 mark on the tape), Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto wanted the referee and match commissioner to suspend the game, but U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a case for playing on. Play continued and Pinto was angry during and after the game.
"I asked them to stop. They should suspend the ref," Pinto said. "It was an embarrassment. It was an insult to Costa Rica and people coming in here." Pinto said the "legal conditions" for playing were not met, according to Reuters.
"Honestly, it was robbery, a disgrace, I've never played a game in these conditions," Costa Rican midfielder Cristian Bolanos told Reuters. "You couldn't see the ball ... if we had played without snow, we would have won, I am sure."
The points are huge for US Soccer and the three points are integral in the quest to get to Rio and 2014's World Cup...
Analysis below...
((HT: ESPN))
We all know just how bent out of shape the Costa Rican national team and their supporters are after the Snow Bowl in Denver and the team's 1-0 loss to the US Men's National Team...
Here's what happened last night during the entrance of the FIFA flag and playing of their hymn as they waited for the match against Jamaica to begin...
A Costa Rica soccer federation official said that the protest would be made Saturday. Costa Rica has 24 hours to file a written protest with FIFA according to rules of engagement...
Ten minutes into the second half (or the 3:25 mark on the tape), Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto wanted the referee and match commissioner to suspend the game, but U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a case for playing on. Play continued and Pinto was angry during and after the game.
"I asked them to stop. They should suspend the ref," Pinto said. "It was an embarrassment. It was an insult to Costa Rica and people coming in here." Pinto said the "legal conditions" for playing were not met, according to Reuters.
"Honestly, it was robbery, a disgrace, I've never played a game in these conditions," Costa Rican midfielder Cristian Bolanos told Reuters. "You couldn't see the ball ... if we had played without snow, we would have won, I am sure."
The points are huge for US Soccer and the three points are integral in the quest to get to Rio and 2014's World Cup...
Analysis below...
((HT: ESPN))
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