| EFE |
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| Lester More de Cuba |
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09/JUL/2005 -Both teams came out running and within a few minutes both goalkeepers
faced danger situations.
Costa Rica had more scoring chances early in the encounter, but a resolute
Cuban defense stifled the Central American squad as Cuban goalkeeper Odelin
Molina blocked a shot from Brian Ruiz in the 4th minute.
Cuba, for its part, had two solid scoring opportunities early on, but the Costa
Rican defense repelled those attacks and imposed a slower pace on the match.
Despite the offensive efforts of both sides, the score was tied 0-0 going into
halftime.
But the goal drought would come to an end in the second half as the Central
Americans went into overdrive and wore down their opponent's defense.
In the 60th minute, Jafet Soto's corner kick found Randall Brenes in the box,
and the latter headed in the pass to put Costa Rica up 1-0.
But Cuban forward Michael Galindo, not to be outdone, ran past the Costa Rican
defenders and scored to make it a 1-1 game in the 72nd minute.
After the tying goal, Costa Rica pressed forward and took several direct shots
in hopes of scoring again.
That persistence would pay off in the 79th minute, when Molina committed an
infraction after trying to deflect a shot from forward Oscar Rojas.
Soto capitalized on the ensuing penalty kick, giving Costa Rica a 2-1 advantage.
Cuba sealed its fate four minutes later when forward Alexander Cruzata committed
a foul against Brenes, who had to take the penalty kick twice after his teammates
rushed the goalie area in celebration after a successful first attempt.
The win left Costa Rica comfortably atop Group B with six points, while Cuba
is at the bottom with no points after a 4-1 loss to the United States Thursday.
Miller Lite Man of the Match: Randall Brenes
Lineups:
- 3 - Costa Rica: A.Mesen, G.Badilla, J.Diaz (R.Miller, 47th minute), M.Umaña,
C. Bolaños (S.Bryce, 74th minute), D.Sequeira, G.Segura, M.Wright, J.
Soto, O. Rojas, B.Ruiz (R. Brenes, 47th minute).
- 1 - Cuba: O. Molina, S. Miñoso (H.Muñoz, 67th minute), J.Marquez,
M. Galindo, R. Fernandez, A.Cruzata, P.Faife (J.Ramirez, 59th minute), G. Morales,
E. Villaurrutia, A. Cervantes, L. More.
- Goals: 0-1, Randall Brenes 60th minute, 1-1, Michael Galindo 72nd minute,
2-1, Jafet Soto 79th minute(de penalti), 3-1,Randall Brenes 83rd minute.
- Referee Benito Armando Archindia issued yellow cards to Cuba's Gisbel Morales
(44th minute) and Alexander Cruzata (65th minute).
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