Doha: Costa Rica qualified for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after overcoming a spirited show by 10-man New Zealand for a 1-0 victory in the final intercontinental play-off at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium last night.
Former Arsenal player Joel Campbell scored the winner in the third minute to complete the 32-team line-up for the tournament to be played from November 21 to December 18 at eight state-of-the-art stadiums in Qatar.
Luis Fernandez Suarez’s Costa Rica will join Germany, Spain and Japan in Group E and will open their campaign against Spain on November 23 at the Al Thumama Stadium.
"This squad shows what it is like to be Costa Rican. They never quit, they always give 100%," Suarez said after the win.
Coached by Danny Hay, Oceania winners New Zealand gave everything for their first World Cup appearance since 2012 but luck was not on their side as Costa Rica booked their spot for the third successive time.
Having lost in intercontinental play-offs in 2014 and 2018, the All Whites saw a goal disallowed in the first half before a VAR review resulted in a red card for substitute Kosta Barbarouses in the second half.
But Costa Rica goalkeeper and captain Keylor Navas deserves credit for keeping the slim lead intact with his fabulous saves particularly late in the match.
The All Whites, ranked 101 in the world, hit 16 shots in the match but Alex Greive, Matthew Garbett and Chris Wood failed to convert their chances. World No. 31 Costa Rica had only four shots, with the first one making the difference.
Jewison Bennette, 17 provided a brilliant assist to Campbell, who shot low into the bottom corner to put the Los Ticos ahead.
New Zealand created many opportunities against their Concacaf opponents soon after conceding a goal. They got a golden chance as Bennette slipped inside the box while defending, opening space for Greive but the St Mirren striker hit the ball wide.
Costa Rica players celebrate after qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Pic: Mohamed Farag
After Garbett missed the target, the All Whites star Wood was on target but was denied by goalkeeper Navas.
A goal by Wood six minutes before half-time was disallowed by referee Mohammed Abdulla after reviewing the pitch-side monitor. Garbett found guilty of a foul against Oscar Duarte before he fired a cross to the Newcastle United striker.
The All Whites created more opportunities late in the opening session but the Los Ticos carried their lead into breather. New Zealand were more dominant at the start of second half, enjoying almost 70 percent of ball possession while Costa Rica were untidy in passes.
In a rare attack by them, Anthony Contreras launched an ambitious hit from outside the box but failed to trouble New Zealand goalkeeper Oliver Sail.
New Zealand were down to ten men after Barbarouses was sent off in 69th minute following a VAR check for his dangerous tackle against Francisco Calvo, who had to be treated on the pitch.
With the depleted All Whites pushing hard for a goal, PSG star Navas led his side from the front with some acrobatic saves, including a dangerous hit from a long range by Clayton Lewis to take his side into the World Cup.
Wood expressed his discontent over decisions that went against his side.
“We were a dominant side as one can see in the stats. Things went their way and some decisions went against us which were harsh,” he said after the match.
Qatar 2022 will be last World Cup edition featuring 32 teams as the tournament will be expanded to 48 nations from the 2026 edition to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
