Just when you thought Costa Rica's World Cup qualifying hopes couldn't get any worse, they manage to get worse.
Just a week after seeing head coach fired Rodrigo Kenton and replaced by Rene Simoes, the "Ticos' have now lost standout central midfielder Celso Borges for the remainder of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying after he suffered an injury while playing with Norwegian club team Fredrickstad, an injury he blamed on the artificial turf. Borges is expected to be sidelined for two weeks.
As if that wasn't bad enough, Costa Rica also lost a veteran defender to a suspension after being caught at a local beach when he was supposed to have reported to national team camp.
Borges' injury is a major blow for Costa Rica, which has remaining World Cup qualifiers vs. Trinidad & Tobago and the United States. Borges is one of Costa Rica's two best players, along with, and perhaps most influential, as evidenced by his ascendancy to the role of Costa Rica captain at the age of 21. He has posted a team-high five goals in World Cup qualifying this cycle.
His loss in central midfield could be devastating against a T&T squad that impressed against the United States last time out, not to mention being a tough blow to the Costa Rican team's chances of securing the necessary through points from its visit to the United States next week. Borges was a dominating figure in Costa Rica's 3-1 win vs. the United States in June's World Cup qualifying meeting in San Jose, with Borges providing a goal.
Costa Rica has called on KAA Gent midfielder Randall Azofeifa to replace Borges.
Borges' injury isn't the only unfortunate news for Costa Rica. The national team also saw veteran defender Gilberto Martinez suspended by the federation after being spotted at the beach when he was supposed to have reported to the national team. Martinez hasn't played with Costa Rica since the 2006 World Cup, but would certainly have been a defensive option for Simoes if he had not been suspended.
Costa Rica current sits in fourth place in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, a point behind Honduras for the final automatic World Cup qualifying place. If Costa Rica cannot improve on its place, it will be forced into a two-leg playoff series against the fifth-place finisher from South America.
What do you think of these developments? Starting to feel a little better about the USA qualifier at RFK Stadium next week? Still hoping the USA can win a point or three in Honduras? Think Costa Rica is destined for fourth place in CONCACAF?
Share your thoughts below.
But their U20 team is on fire, just beat host Egypt 2-0.
ah, just saw this and was sad to see that you guys beat me to it on the whole Alanis Morrisette “isn’t it ironic?” theme. hate to make light of anybody’s injury, but u know the Ticos love to yuk it up when our players have trouble controlling the ball on the crappy turf at the Saprissa. So today I can’t help but chuckle — just hope they don’t have the last laugh at RFK.
Posted by: matt dillon
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It’s not Costa Rica’s fault that US players have a horrible first touch and need three touches to trap a ball. That kind of surface enhances a player’s ability to control the ball.
I saw the US struggle to trap the ball at TnT and they were playing on grass.
ah, just saw this and was sad to see that you guys beat me to it on the whole Alanis Morrisette “isn’t it ironic?” theme. hate to make light of anybody’s injury, but u know the Ticos love to yuk it up when our players have trouble controlling the ball on the crappy turf at the Saprissa. So today I can’t help but chuckle — just hope they don’t have the last laugh at RFK.
In my opinion, it all comes down to Walter Centeno. CR relies heavily on the central midfield– always have, remember Wilmer Lopez? If Centeno is on top of his game, this team is capable of 4-6 points in the next two games.
(SBI-Not so simple. It comes down to whether Azofeifa can do the heavy lifting in support of Centeno that Borges did. Borges is a major loss because not only can he cover ground, but he can also get forward for goal-scoring opportunities. Without him I think Costa Rica struggles badly.)
go T&T!
Based on current goal differential a draw between T&T and CR would pretty much put us through.
An amigo of mine was surfing Playa Grande with Gilberto Martinez that day. It was supposed to have been head high with straight offshore wind. Man, to ditch practice to go surf. Tough call. What a shame…
I will still be dissappointed if we don’t come away with at least a point from hondo.
artificial turf injury? how ironic is that considering the crap they use at costa rican home qualifiers.
Maybe Costa Rica will lose for us against Trinidad!
Was it old-school astroturf or the new fieldturf stuff they use in the NFL now?
Well, he would have been playing on turf with teh NT as well. So he was bound to get hurt.
Is T&T calling in their Euro based players? Figured since they were eliminated, they might field a young domestic squad…?
this is the team that crushed us a few months ago.. wow, i am glad we got them later in the schedule
Kenwyne Jones has been on fire for Sunderland, here’s hoping he plays like that for Trinidad.
I’m thinking Costa Rica is now 4th. Even without the injuries it was going to be awful tough for them. Mexico, U.S., Honduras, and Costa Rica. If the US and Hondo tie then Hondo 4th. Hondo is pumped its going to be real tough there but I also get the sense that they may be too pumped to play U.S.
Costa Rica will take fourth place my friends…trust me
Unless the U.S. wins in Honduras, it will be all to play for. I believe Costa Rica will get 3 points at home to T&T, and with Honduras having to travel to El Salvador for their final game, where El Salvador has been strong, it could easily wind up US, Mexico, and Costa Rica w/Honduras in the playoff. Of course, we can end up in the playoff if we aren’t careful.
sucks for them