Host Peru out of the Tournament
Costa Rica defeated Peru by 2:0 in Iquitos and got their ticket for the next stage as the winner of Group A. The “Ticos” outclassed the local squad and their victory was fair, thanks to Jean Carlo Solórzano and César Elizondo goals.
Although their fate also depended on the other Group A game result between Ghana and China, the hosts knew they were in with a chance. They had Geovanny Alfaro's men pinned back in the early exchanges to the delight of the vociferous home support. Costa Rica, for their part, did their best to take the sting out of the game with their trademark short passing, but looked uncomfortable every time Josepmir Ballón and Gianfranco Espejo linked up in attack. Once again, Peru's most dangerous attacking weapon was Daniel Chávez who, first with a pair of well-struck headers, and later with a long-range effort, threatened to give the home side the lead.
As the game wore on and the Amazon heat began to take its toll, Peru were forced to reduce the tempo somewhat. In spite of that, they still managed to fashion two gilt-edged chances. First Miguel Cárdenas dragged his shot wide of the near post when one-on-one with the Tico keeper Alfonso Quesada. Then Christian Laura swung in a delightful cross from the right for Gianfranco Espejo, but the Sporting Cristal midfielder chose to try a headed pass instead of going for goal and the danger passed.
For all of that, the Central Americans had designs of their own on the three points, and went ahead with their first clear-cut chance on the stroke of half-time. Celso Borges got in behind Cristian Ramos Garagay and picked out Jean Solórzano, who fired unerringly across Gian Franco Castellanos into the corner (1:0, 46'). For the crowd at the Max Augustin it was devastating blow and a cruel way to end the first half. "Peru showed what a good team they are and played a great game. They were unable to capitalise on the chances they made in the first half, and we grew in confidence. Fortunately, we struck just at the right time," explained Geovanny Alfaro afterwards.
Both sides ran out unchanged for the second half, and the game fell back into its early pattern. José Pavoni's men again took the initiative as they went in search of the equaliser, although clear-cut chances were at a premium. One of these fell to Jesús Rey, who very nearly got his head to a long throw-in from Laura. Geovanny Alfaro's side kept their shape though, and continued playing to their strengths with slow and careful passing, much to the frustration of the impatient and increasingly concerned Peruvian supporters who must have been fearing the worst after Carlos Flores contrived to put his header wide from just in front of goal.
Pavoni sent on strikers Carlos Elías and Javier Carnero trying to change the story, but far from having the desired effect, it merely served to enhance the reputation of Costa Rica's stand-out defenders Rudy Dawson and Brayan Jiménez. For their part, the Ticos came close with a Borges effort, which drew a wonderful save from Castellanos and deserved applause from the public. Peru hit back through Espejo, but his powerful right-foot shot from a free-kick went narrowly wide.
Alfaro then threw César Elizondo, Costa Rica's star player in the qualifying tournament, into the fray and the move paid immediate dividends. After a mix up in the Peruvian defence, the striker found himself face-to-face with Castellanos, who he beat coolly with a shot inside the near post (2:0, 76'). After that there was no way back for Peru, whose evening was summed up when Carnero struck a post late on. Appreciative of their brave efforts, the Peruvian public proudly cheered off their fallen heroes as they bade farewell to their dreams of glory.
Although their fate also depended on the other Group A game result between Ghana and China, the hosts knew they were in with a chance. They had Geovanny Alfaro's men pinned back in the early exchanges to the delight of the vociferous home support. Costa Rica, for their part, did their best to take the sting out of the game with their trademark short passing, but looked uncomfortable every time Josepmir Ballón and Gianfranco Espejo linked up in attack. Once again, Peru's most dangerous attacking weapon was Daniel Chávez who, first with a pair of well-struck headers, and later with a long-range effort, threatened to give the home side the lead.
As the game wore on and the Amazon heat began to take its toll, Peru were forced to reduce the tempo somewhat. In spite of that, they still managed to fashion two gilt-edged chances. First Miguel Cárdenas dragged his shot wide of the near post when one-on-one with the Tico keeper Alfonso Quesada. Then Christian Laura swung in a delightful cross from the right for Gianfranco Espejo, but the Sporting Cristal midfielder chose to try a headed pass instead of going for goal and the danger passed.
For all of that, the Central Americans had designs of their own on the three points, and went ahead with their first clear-cut chance on the stroke of half-time. Celso Borges got in behind Cristian Ramos Garagay and picked out Jean Solórzano, who fired unerringly across Gian Franco Castellanos into the corner (1:0, 46'). For the crowd at the Max Augustin it was devastating blow and a cruel way to end the first half. "Peru showed what a good team they are and played a great game. They were unable to capitalise on the chances they made in the first half, and we grew in confidence. Fortunately, we struck just at the right time," explained Geovanny Alfaro afterwards.
Both sides ran out unchanged for the second half, and the game fell back into its early pattern. José Pavoni's men again took the initiative as they went in search of the equaliser, although clear-cut chances were at a premium. One of these fell to Jesús Rey, who very nearly got his head to a long throw-in from Laura. Geovanny Alfaro's side kept their shape though, and continued playing to their strengths with slow and careful passing, much to the frustration of the impatient and increasingly concerned Peruvian supporters who must have been fearing the worst after Carlos Flores contrived to put his header wide from just in front of goal.
Pavoni sent on strikers Carlos Elías and Javier Carnero trying to change the story, but far from having the desired effect, it merely served to enhance the reputation of Costa Rica's stand-out defenders Rudy Dawson and Brayan Jiménez. For their part, the Ticos came close with a Borges effort, which drew a wonderful save from Castellanos and deserved applause from the public. Peru hit back through Espejo, but his powerful right-foot shot from a free-kick went narrowly wide.
Alfaro then threw César Elizondo, Costa Rica's star player in the qualifying tournament, into the fray and the move paid immediate dividends. After a mix up in the Peruvian defence, the striker found himself face-to-face with Castellanos, who he beat coolly with a shot inside the near post (2:0, 76'). After that there was no way back for Peru, whose evening was summed up when Carnero struck a post late on. Appreciative of their brave efforts, the Peruvian public proudly cheered off their fallen heroes as they bade farewell to their dreams of glory.
posted by World Cup Center at 7:44 AM
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