Costa Rica beat Japan 1-0 in World Cup

Costa Rica came off a 7-0 drubbing by Spain to beat Japan 1-0 in the World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E clash at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium yesterday. 

Following their 2-1 surprise win over Germany in their opening encounter Japan were favourites in yesterday’s match but full-back Keysher Fuller scored for Costa Rica in the 81st minute sending the ball into the far corner having gained some space at the edge of the area.

Japan’s custodian Shuichi Gonda could not parry the ball away although he got a full hand to it. 

Incidentally it was the only time the Central American country was on target at this World Cup and it paid dividends. 

The win snapped a seven-match winless run at the World Cup for Costa Rica who now have three points and a chance to reach the last 16.

“These players did amazing things today. I will not talk about technique or tactics. Today I need to value and appreciate what they have done to get this win,” said Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez after the match.

“We weren’t dead yesterday and now we are still very much alive. Nobody can forget about us yet so we can still dream.”

The win opened up Group E as booth Costa Rica, Japan and Spain have three points each. Germany and Spain were scheduled to play later yesterday.Costa Rica will meet Germany on Thursday.

“Today I still believe that basically we need to focus on how we prepare for the game on Thursday, make sure that the boys train the best they can - that’s an important step,” Suarez said.

“Moving on to the next stage only depends on us. It’s a huge effort on our side. But as long as we make this effort, we’ll be there.”

Japan’s coach Hajime Moriyasu made five changes to their starting line-up after the victory over Germany. 

In a post-match press conference Moriyasu however didn’t agree that the Samurai Blue were tired after their battle against Germany. 

“In the first half Costa Rica didn’t do great either, both of us struggled to control the game,” Moriyasu said.

“It was a complicated game and maybe both sides lacked some quality in the first half.”

Japan will meet the 2010 champions Spain in a tough final group game on Thursday.  

“Of course Spain will be tough but there is a good chance for us to win,” Moriyasu said. 

“We will be well prepared and will go into the match with confidence.”

Yesterday’s game got off to a sedate start – a mood that was mostly prevalent in the first half. Both sides looked to focus more on their defensive play rather than dwelling on attacks. 

Costa Rica were understandably more circumspect after conceding three goals against Spain in the first half an hour of the game. 

Japan too failed to display any urgency they had against Germany.  Although they beefed up their attack in the second half with the introduction of substitutes, they failed to challenge the Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas whom their coach Moriyasu singled out to be the vital player before the match. 

Costa Rica did well to nullify the threat of Japan forward Ayase Ueda. With the introduction of Hiroki Ito and Takuma Asano in the second half Japan looked threatening but Navas was equal to the task. He saved a full-blooded shot from Hidemasa Morita. 

Japan were in with a chance late in the second half when Wataru Endo was fouled just outside the box, but Yuki Soma’s free-kick went above the crossbar. 

With 20 minutes to go Junya Ito won a free-kick but Daichi Kamada’s shot hit the Costa Rican wall. Soma failed to capitalize on the rebound. 

However, the Costa Rican defender Fuller grabbed the crucial chance which came his way in the 81st minute as his left foot attempt found the back of the Japanese net sparking wild celebrations among Los Ticos fans in the stands among 41,000 spectators.

“The less they believe in us the more they bring it out of us,” Fuller later said. 

“We were in pain after the defeat to Spain and now we have weight off our shoulders.”