Los Ticos bounced back in impressive fashion following their 7-0 defeat to Spain in their opening match. Keysher Fuller’s 81st-minute strike was the game’s only goal as the 2014 World Cup Quarter Finalists shocked the Samurai Blue.
Embed from Getty ImagesCosta Rica manager Luis Fernando Suarez did not wish to discuss “tactics or technical aspects” after the game, instead praising his team’s character.
“I believe the main thing was our ability to do such amazing things,” he said. “I’m not going to talk about tactical or technical aspects, today I need to value and appreciate what they have done to get this result.
“We had to face many challenges, but we firmly believed and wanted to be 100 per cent committed for our country to play well against a strong opponent like Japan.
“We are alive [in the group], that is the main thing and no one can forget about us yet. We can still dream.”
Embed from Getty ImagesGoalscorer Fuller reiterated his managers point, stating “The main thing was to keep ourselves alive and to win, and we managed to do so.”
Japan had had a golden opportunity to all but book a place in the last 16 of the tournament, with the Blue Samurai now needing a win against Group leaders Spain to guarantee qualification.
Japan Manger Hajime Moriyasu defended his team selection, stating “the result was a shame but it does not mean what we have done was wrong.”
Embed from Getty ImagesExplaining his decision to make five changes to the team that beat Germany 2-1, Moriyasu said “For the Germany game and today, we had high intensity…and for the next match against Spain it will be (the same). So we just need to increase the odds for Japan and that is how I decided the tactics.”
