Costa Rica Advance to Semis with Win over Jamaica

by Dan Gaichas, Windy City Soccer

 

BRIDGEVIEW, IL–Costa Rica became the first team to clinch a spot in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship with a 2-1 win over Jamaica at Toyota Park. The Ticas top Group B with 6 points and need just a draw against Martinique to win the group and likely avoid a semifinal against the USA.

 

Costa Rica dominate in terms of scoring chances for most of the match, but were lacking an end product. In fact, the Ticas twice hit woodwork. Wendy Acosta’s header hit the post in the 42nd minute and then Daphnne Herrera saw Jamaican keeper Nicole McClure deflect her shot off the crossbar in the 71st.

 

However, the Ticas were finally rewarded in the 76th minute after Raquel Rodriguez Cedeño was felled in the box by Nicole Campbell-Green. Shirley Cruz converted the penalty to put Costa Rica ahead. The lead lasted just a minute, though, as Shakira Duncan came down the right side and her shot from an angle evaded the reach of Dinnia Diaz for the equalizer.

 

Four minutes from time, Costa Rica took the lead for good as a series of short passes saw Rodriguez Cedeño score from 10 yards out to make the score 2-1.

 

“The second goal was so important for Costa Rica,” said head coach Garabet Avedissian. “We knew that Jamaica was a difficult team. They are a fast team that creates space and difficulty in terms of their attack. In the first half, they created a lot of problems for us. We did create some chances ourselves. However, the ball wouldn’t go in.

“The second half was different, obviously with the penalty, but especially the second goal demonstrated what I feel was our superiority with all due respect to Jamaica.”

 

As for Jamaica, who now face Mexico in a winner advances match on Tuesday, head coach Merron Gordon is confident his team can get the result needed to advance.

“We’re going to beat Mexico on Tuesday,” said Gordon. “We want to go to the World Cup. This game means a whole lot to the country. This unit means a whole lot to the country. So we are going to go for three points. The girls are in high spirits. They fought well. I think the this Costa Rica team is very, very good. They’ve grown by leaps and bounds over the years.”

 

Costa Rica plays Martinique at 4pm CT at RFK Stadium on Tuesday while Jamaica and Mexico battle at 6:30pm. Both matches will be on Fox Sports 2.

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

CRC-Shirley Cruz (penalty kick) 76

JAM-Shakira Duncan (unassisted) 77

CRC-Raquel Rodriguez Cedeño (Venegas) 86

 

BOOKING SUMMARY:

JAM-Nicole Campbell-Green (caution, reckless foul) 57

JAM-Christina Murray (caution, persistent infringement) 67

JAM-Danna-Kay Henry (caution, reckless foul) 84

 

COSTA RICA (5-3-2):  #1-Dinnia Diaz; #5-Diana Saenz, #6-Carol Sanchez, #20-Wendy Acosta (#2-Gabriela Guillen 90+3), #8-Daniela Cruz, #12-Lixy Rodriguez; #10-Shirley Cruz (C), #15-Cristin Granados (#9-Carolina Venegas 63), #16-Katherine Alvarado; #17-Daphnne Herrera, #11-Raquel Rodriguez Cedeño

Subs not used:  #18-Yirliana Arroyo, #14-Yesmi Rodriguez, #19-Fabiola Sanchez, #4-Mariana Benavidez, #13-Noelia Bermudez, #3-Mariane Ugalde, #7-Gloriana Villalobos

 

JAMAICA (3-5-2):  #13-Nicole McClure; #6-Alicia Wilson (C), #12-Sashana Campbell, #3-Monique Pryce; #2-Lauren Silver, #11-Christina Murray (#20-Jodi-Ann McGregor 73), #18-Sherona Forrester, #17-Nicole Campbell-Green, #4-Donna-Kay Henry (#7-Venecia Reid 84); #8-Shanoska Young (#14-Alexa Allen 46), #9-Shakira Duncan

Subs not used:  #1-Taylor Grant, #16-Yolanda Grant, #5-Myjnarii Perkins, #10-Omolyn Davis, #15-Sheneka Gordon, #19-Shantel Bailey

TOTAL SHOTS:  CRC 13-6 JAM

SHOTS ON GOAL:  CRC 4-4 JAM

FOULS:  CRC 13-8 JAM

OFFSIDES:  CRC 0-0 JAM

CORNER KICKS:  CRC 4-0 JAM

SAVES:  CRC 3-2 JAM

 

Referee:  Margaret Domka (USA)

Referee Assistants:  Marlene Duffy (USA), Milagros Leonardi (DOM)

4th Official:  Carol-Anne Chenard (CAN)

Attendance:  3,620

Woman of the Match:  Shirley Cruz (CRC)