Costa Rica bounced back after their heavy defeat to Spain to beat Japan 1-0 in their FIFA World Cup Group E match at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The two teams were level at the break after a slow opening 45 where neither team really threatened the goalkeepers. It was the Japanese, who shocked Germany in their first game, who controlled the possession and pace of the half.
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The Japanese, knowing they could book a spot in the knockout round with a victory, upped the tempo in the second half, but continued to be thwarted by the Costa Rican defence.
With time running out Japan continued to pile on the pressure, but it was the Costa Ricans who would strike on the counter-attack in the 82nd minute.
A turn-over in a dangerous area led to Keysher Fuller taking a shot from the edge of the area, and with their first shot on target in Qatar, it was 1-0 to the team who lost by seven to Spain in their opener.
The Japanese team pushed hard again to get back in the game, but it wasn’t to be, and the Costa Ricans held out for the win.
