The central American side made it to quarterfinals for first time in history
Costa Rican players react after a penalty shoot out during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Costa Rica (Photo: AP)
Salvador: Costa Rica take leave of the World Cup stage after Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out loss to the Netherlands their heads held high, Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas says.The small Central American nation may not have an army, but their players fought valiantly on the Salvador field of battle, holding the star-studded Dutch attack goalless for 120 minutes.
Coach Jorge Luis Pinto was bursting with pride at his player’s contribution to the tournament which saw them see off previous winners Italy and Uruguay and draw with England in the first round before edging Greece on penalties in the last 16. The 61-year-old Colombian added: “We’ve shown that we can organise ourselves, that we have good tactics and we can play football. We have left a positive and dignified impression of Costa Rican football. I’m proud of the players and so is the country.”
“When we came here many people didn’t believe in us. Even though we have to leave the tournament we haven’t been beaten, even by the super-powers we came up against,” Pinto said.
( Source : AFP )
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