Coach Steve Sampson came away a winner in his first official competition as head coach of Costa Rica. Sampson, the U.S. national team coach from 1995 to 1998, guided the Ticos to their fourth UNCAF Copa de Naciones title.
The victory qualifies Costa Rica, along with runner-up Guatemala and third-place El Salvador, for the 2003 Gold Cup (July 12-27 in the USA).
Fourth-place Honduras enters a playoff with the group runners-up from the two Caribbean Zone groups for the final Gold Cup spot. Honduras finished fourth by virtue of a lottery after finishing tied on points, goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head (1-1) with Panama.
The Ticos clinched the title on Sunday with 1-0 win over host Panama on a goal by Alonso Solis.
FINAL STANDINGS
Gold Cup central zone (UNCAF Copa de Naciones)
TEAM: win-tie-loss (points) goal difference
Costa Rica 4-1-0 (13) +4
Guatemala 3-1-1 (10) +6
El Salvador 3-0-2 (9) +2
Honduras 1-1-3 (4) -1
Panama 1-1-3 (4) -1
Nicaragua 1-0-4 (3) -10