Primarily written off after being battered by Spain, Keysher Fuller has modified every part for Costa Rica.
Fuller took benefit of a defensive error and scored the one objective of the match to guide his group over Japan 1-0 Sunday on the World Cup. Each groups now have three factors after two matches and a great probability to advance to the spherical of 16 from Group E.
“We’re nonetheless alive,” mentioned Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez, a Colombian who additionally guided Ecuador and Honduras to World Cup berths. “We weren’t useless yesterday, and now we’re very a lot on this. The primary factor is we’re nonetheless alive. Nobody can overlook about us. We are able to nonetheless dream.”
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Fuller scored his objective within the 81st minute after Japan did not clear the ball. He hit the online from 18 yards, with the shot stepping into off the fingertips of leaping Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.
The match at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was tactical and largely lackluster, significantly in a primary half that didn’t yield a single shot on objective. Japan pressed all through the second half till Costa Rica broke via.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas got here up with a number of saves in fast succession within the ultimate minutes to make sure the victory.
Japan has one Group E sport remaining towards Spain, whereas Costa Rica faces Germany in its ultimate match. With a victory, Japan might have all however wrapped up a spot within the knockout stage after a 2-1 upset win over Germany in its opener. Costa Rica was pounded by Spain 7-0 in its first sport and simply attempting to outlive.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu mentioned Costa Rica’s “strong defence” prevented his group from attacking extra.
“Within the first half we couldn’t actually develop any possibilities,” Moriyasu mentioned. “I consider to a sure diploma we have been taking part in OK; nonetheless, the end result was a disgrace.”
The primary half might need been one of many dullest of a match that has already seen 5 0-0 attracts. Neither group had a shot on objective.
Ritsu Doan, who scored considered one of Japan’s objectives within the 2-1 win over Germany, regarded essentially the most threatening early with runs down the appropriate facet trying to lower in crosses. Costa Rica’s most menacing participant was Joel Campbell, attempting to make use of his velocity on the left flank.
“We had extra confidence with the ball than we had within the first sport. We have been extra targeted on defence and took benefit of our possibilities up entrance,” Campbell mentioned.
There was extra motion within the first two minutes after the break than in your entire first half. Hidemasa Morita examined Navas with a blistering shot within the first minute, and Takuma Asano pressured one other save a minute later.
Japan, which is showing it its seventh straight World Cup, has reached the knockout stage on three events, dropping every time within the spherical of 16. Costa Rica reached the quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014.
Japan remains to be successful goodwill with its custom of cleansing up fan areas and participant dressing rooms after the match. This dates from Japan’s first look on the World Cup in 1998. This time, Japanese group officers arrived with 8,000 trash baggage with thanks greetings in Arabic, Japanese, and English.