COSTA RICA have immediately bounced back from their Spain pummeling by beating Japan 1-0.
The Samurai Blue look a complete shadow of the side who beat Germany 2-1 in the first round of group matches.
And they were made to pay when Keysher Fuller’s chipped effort turned out to be the game winning goal late on.
- RESULT: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
- Japan XI: Gonda; Yamane, Itakura, Yoshida, Nagatomo; Endo, Morita; Doan, Kamada, Soma; Ueda
- Costa Rica XI: Navas; Waston, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo; Fuller, Borges, Tejeda, Torres; Campbell, Contreras
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That’s all from Qatar!
Costa Rica picked up a shock 1-0 win over Japan at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium to truly set Group E on fire.
The Samurai Blue dominated tempo throughout the game but one careless moment proved enough to shatter their hopes of an early qualification to the World Cup’s Round of 16.
The Costa Ricans broke into a counterattack with Yeltsin Tejeda setting Keysher Fuller up on the right and the midfielder beat Shuichi Gonda with a wonderful curling shot.
That was Luis Fernando Suarez’s side’s first shot on target in this year’s competition.
Fuller has boosted his nation’s confidence after their 7-0 thrashing to Spain.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great day!
Credit: AP Japan’s negative record
Japan registered a total of 13 shots against Costa Rica and still didn’t find the target.
Only once previously have the Samurai Blue attempted more efforts on goal without scoring in a World Cup match.
That was against Greece in 2014 when they produced a total of 18 shots.
That match also ended with a goalless draw and the Japanese national team was then eliminated from the group stage
Credit: Getty Costa Rica’s special milestone
Costa Rica really needed that victory over Japan to boost their World Cup hopes as well as their confidence after their 7-0 loss to Spain.
The Costa Ricans, though, have also extended a special record in the esteemed competition.
Los Ticos remain undefeated against Asian teams as they also beat China 2-0 in 2002.
Costa Rica also defeated Japan for the first time in five matches after three losses
Credit: AP
Updated Group E
Costa Rica have moved up from the bottom of Group E after their 1-0 victory over Japan.
The Costa Ricans have overtaken Germany, who have yet to pick up a point but take on Spain later tonight, in third place.
Japan remain second and are waiting on tonight’s exciting encounter between the two former World Champions.
More below:
Japan vs Costa Rica stats
Japan dominated 57 per cent of possession against Costa Rica throughout the match.
The Samurai Blue registered a total of 13 shots, but only three of them were on target.
The Costa Ricans, on the other hand, only managed four shots, one of which was on target – their first in this year’s competition.
More below:
Word from the ground
Here’s what SunSport’s man on the field Neil Custis makes of Costa Rica’s shock win over Japan:
Costas Rica turned comeback kings as they stunned Japan with a winner a from their first shot on target in the tournament.
Down and out with their bags half packed following their 7-0 hammering at the hands of Spain this was some response.
Japan, shock winners over Germany and clear favourites ahead of the game dominated most of it.
But then on 81 minutes and totally against the run of play Keysher Fuller curled a shot home and with it blew Group E open again.
The stunning end was at odds with what had come before.
The first half had to be one of the dullest halves in World Cup history.
Only the noise of Japan fans banging drums managed to keep those unfortunate enough to be in the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium awake.
Costa Rica were happy just to sit back with five defenders and two defensive midfielders and soak up what little pressure Japan seemed able to summon.
After their shock victory over Germany much was expected but for Japan fans think Three Lions fans watching England v USA after the thrilling win over Iran
Neil Custis
FT: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Costa Rica picked up a shock win over Japan at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium to truly set Group E on fire.
The Samurai Blue dominated tempo throughout the match but one careless moment proved enough to shatter their hopes of an early qualification to the World Cup’s Last 16.
The Costa Ricans broke into a counterattack with Yeltsin Tejeda setting Keysher Fuller up on the right and the midfielder beating Shuichi Gonda with a wonderful curling shot.
Fuller has boosted his nation’s confidence after their 7-0 thrashing to Spain
Credit: AP FT: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Peep!
That’s full-time in Qatar!!!
90+5 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Substitution
Another late switch by Costa Rica manager Suarez as he brings on Chacon for Campbell.
The ex-Arsenal ace is pushed towards the touchline by Ito and the forward pushes him back.
The Japanese ace forgets that there will be even more added time for that delay
90+3 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Yellow card
Japan ace Endo booked for a late tackle on Tejeda, the Samurai Blues are running out of ideas
90 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Six more minutes of added time to go.
Can we see another late goal? Japan seem very much affected by Fuller’s shock goal
89 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Substitution
A late switch by Costa Rica manager Suarez as Salas replaces Borges
88 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
What a chance!
Japan miss an unbelievable chance to equalise!
Mitoma breaks inside the area from the left and tees Kamada up but his shot is saved by the amazing Navas.
There is a series of deflections but the PSG keeper gets a hold of the ball
88 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Costa Rica had no significant shot throughout the tournament before this one effort that could decide this match.
Fuller looks set to become his country’s hero as he is exorcising the demon of Spain
Credit: Getty 85 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Substitution
Japan manager Moriyasu made a change a few minutes ago with Minamino coming on for Soma
84 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Yellow card
Japan ace Itakura booked for a rugby-like tackle on Bennette, the Japanese are getting desperate after that shocking goal
81 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
They did it, they bloody did it!!!
Costa Rica have opened the scoring against all odds!
Suarez’s men go forward with Tejeda teeing Fuller up on the right and the midfielder beats Gonda with a wonderful curling shot
81 Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Goal!
Fuller opens the scoring for Costa Rica!!!
80 Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
We’re seeing a bit of rhythm in the last few minutes of the match.
Ball moving up and down as Costa Rica are breaking through with some counter-attacks thanks to their midfielders
78 Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
The game continues to be all Japan but they’re still doing nothing with their possession.
But there’s still time for a late goal
75 Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Japan started the second half really well.
But this still has 0-0 written all over it, which is good news for Spain and especially Germany
73 Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Campbell has been struggling to make his presence known for Costa Rica.
Not much from the ex-Arsenal ace up front
70 Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Yellow card
Oof! Costa Rica ace Calvo gets booked after pulling Junya Ito to the ground from behind on the edge of the box.
That was almost a penalty for Japan!
67 Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Substitution
Another change by Japan manager Moriyasu who brings on Junya Ito for Doan
65 Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Substitution
Costa Rica manager Suarez makes his first changes of the match as Bennette and Aguilera come on for Contreras and Torres respectively
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
