Three minutes… It only took three short minutes for Costa Rica, Tuesday evening on the lawn of the Al-Rayyan stadium near Doha, to see the contours of the World Cup in Qatar take shape. A recovery from close to the former Gunner of Arsenal and Lorient Joel Campbell indeed allowed the Ticos to win the 32nd and last qualifying ticket in an intercontinental play-off match against New Zealand (1-0).
The New Zealanders however largely dominated the first period against the 4th in the Concacaf zone (behind Canada, Mexico and the United States). But the Kiwis lacked accuracy and realism or stumbled on a solid Keylor Navas. Danny Hay’s players thought they equalized in the 39th but star striker Chris Wood’s goal was disallowed after viewing the VAR for a foul on Duarte at the start of the action.
On the restart, the Central Americans finally showed themselves a little more offensive without managing to conclude again. Reduced to ten after Barbarouses were sent off for a tackle from behind in the 69th minute, New Zealand threw their last strength into battle. In vain. Clayton Lewis’s curling shot from the left found an impeccable Navas (76th) and Wood’s various attempts failed on an omnipresent PSG goalkeeper.
The essential is done… but the hardest part begins for Costa Rica. Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez’s men will indeed join Group E, which includes Germany, Spain and Japan! Nice program for a sixth participation (the third in a row) at a World Cup…