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COSTA RICA |
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Costa Rica With One Foot Out Of World Cup
The Uruguay teamA first-half goal from Diego
Lugano gave Oscar Washington Taberez's side
strong hopes of playing in South Africa next
year, following their failure to qualify for
the finals Germany in 2006.
The first half was often scrappy, but
Uruguay showed more purpose going forward.
Early on, Alvaro Pereira fired a warning
shot towards goal, but Costa Rica goalkeeper
made the save at his near post.
The Ticos could not make their home
advantage pay, failing to get into the
Uruguay box or test Fernando Muslera.
Costa Rica suffered a further blow in the
20th minute when defender Gilberto Martinez
was forced off with an injury after
colliding with Alvaro Fernandez.
While he was off receiving treatment,
Uruguay profited.
Lugano headed goalwards from a corner and,
although his first effort was blocked the
ball came back to him and he beat Navas from
an awkward position.
Costa Rica did have a chance to equalise
just before half-time, but Bryan Ruiz's
header went over the crossbar from Randall
Azofeifa's cross.
Things got even worse for Rene Simoes' side
seven minutes into the second half as
Azofeifa brought down Fernandez and earned a
second yellow card and an early shower.
However, where they had punished Costa
Rica's momentary short-handedness in the
first half, Uruguay showed little ability to
take advantage a second time.
They squandered possession too often and
failed to create chances.
Costa Rica were showing more purpose, but
their shots, coming from Alvaro Saborio and
Walter Centeno, were too weak to properly
test Muslera.
Fernandez could have doubled Uruguay's lead
with three minutes to go, but saw his header
blocked by Junior Diaz using a combination
of leg and hand, with no penalty awarded by
the referee.
That means Uruguay take a slim but
significant advantage into the rematch at
the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on
Wednesday night. has taken a big step
towards qualifying for the World Cup finals
after beating ten-man Costa Rica 1-0 away
from home in the first leg of their
qualifying play-off.
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