 |
| Umana had a world class penalty kick for victory. Photo Credit: AP |
Despite playing with only 10 men on the field from the 66th minute on in the second half, Costa Rica found a way and a will to defeat Greece in penalty kicks 5-3 to advance to the Quarterfinals round of the World cup.
By Sunil Sunderraj
With the victory, Costa Rica advanced to their first Quarterfinals in 4 World Cup appearances. They will play the Netherlands on Saturday July 5th at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
Defender Michael Umana proved to be the hero for Costa Rica as he smashed a right footed shot past Greece’s goal keeper Orestis Karnezis clinching the improbable victory and continuing this magical run.
On Greece’s attempt Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas robbing Dimitris Salpingdis ranging to his right to bat the ball away.
Navas made a litany of huge saves for Costa Rica throughout the match, one of them coming in the first half. He was forced to make a big kick stop save from close range from Salpingdis of Greece. A left crossing passing from Holebas set up the play and opportunity for Salpingdis.
Costa Rica took the lead at the 52nd minute when Christian Bolanos slid a crossing pass to Bryan Ruiz who side footed shot that rolled into the corner of the net. For some apparent reason on the play goalkeeper Karnezis froze in the goalmouth.
With seconds remaining in the second half, Greece tied the game up in dramatic fashion Navas stopped the initial shot off Theofanis Gakas but the rebound came back out to Sokratis Papastathopoulos who blasted the ball into the middle of the net.
Oscar Duarte who had picked up a yellow card in the first half, earned a red card for a takedown of Jose Holebas thus forcing Costa Rica to play shorthanded the rest of the match.
Greece had several more scoring chances in stoppage time but was unable to convert. In the second extra session, Greece had a 5 on 2 odd man rush up the field. As Andreas Samaris raced to the end line Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell knocked the ball away, turning away a golden opportunity to end the match.
With the victory, Costa Rica advanced to their first Quarterfinals in 4 World Cup appearances. They will play the Netherlands on Saturday July 5th at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
