Costa Rica Captures First Win of Group Play

Costa Rica 2 : 0 Cuba

By Kara McDermott

The CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament kicked off today with Cuba and Costa Rica in Group A.

Cuba was something of an unknown entity, having never made it to this stage in Olympic Qualifiers or competed in a CONCACAF championship. A young squad, their average age is just 18 years old.

Costa Rica likewise boasts plenty of youth with an average age of 19. They have fared better in CONCACAF play though. Since the tournament began in 2004, they have made it to the semi-finals each year, both times losing by large deficits to the Americans.

Costa Rica started the match with the early run of play, but their passes were unsettled. Both teams kept their passes short and safe; neither eager to boldly cross from one side to the other, preferring a slow build out of the defense or through the middle.

But despite their nerves, Costa Rica was able to open scoring early in the 12^th minute.  Marianne Ugalde sent forward a long through ball to Carolina Venegas, one of the most visible players of the match, who caught up to the ball near the line and knifed it back to Saudy Rosales for a collected redirect past goalkeeper Lucylena Martinez Rodriguez into the low far corner.

Cuba countered the Costa Rican push with their greatest threat: the partnership between high forward Yezenia Gallardo Martinez and right outside midfielder Rachel Pelaez Ellis.

Most of Cuba’s chances were a combination of these two players laying balls off to each other to keep Costa Rican goalkeeper Julieth Arias on her toes.

Costa Rica pressed their advantage in the second half, scoring again in the 54^th minute to widen the gap between the teams. Mariela Campos, who came in for Rosales at half time, slotted a perfect split pass in the box to Wendy Acosta running on. Acosta made a long reach to get a foot on the ball and finish it into the top of the net.

But Cuba was not done yet. They countered in the 59^th minute, on one of their best opportunities of the match. Martinez came out of dog fight at the top of the box to touch the ball to Yaremis Karelia Fuentes Ramirez who gave it a small push right back. Martinez’ shot to the far post was caught by Arias’ feet. Martinez again pounced on the second chance, but the tangle of several defenders’ legs prevented Cuba from getting back into the game.

Costa Rica comes away from the first group play match then with three points and a respectable goal differential.

Group A will continue on Saturday, January 21 with Costa Rica against Haiti at 5:00 PST and Cuba taking on home-town Canada at 7:30.

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