In the first game of the 2003 Gold Cup, Canada downed Costa Rica, 1-0, as the Ticos squandered a slew of chances in the Group D encounter in Foxboro, Mass.
The Costa Ricans kept the Canadians on the defensive for most of the game and were especially dominating in the second half, when Winston Parks missed three grand opportunities after Walter Centeno failed from point-blank range. Alexander Castro hit the crossbar in the first half.
Canada had only two opportunities. Defender Luis Marin blocked Daniel Imhof's eight-yard shot after keeper Tico keeper Ricardo Gonzalez batted him a Jason Bent cross in the first half. They scored on their second chance, in the 59th minute.
Marin knocked Jason BentÆs through pass into Paul StalteriÆs path, sending the Werder Bremen attacker one-on-one with Gonzalez, who was beaten with a low shot from eight yards.
ôWhatÆs frustrating is thereÆs nothing I would have done differently,ö said Costa RicaÆs coach, Steve Sampson, the former U.S. boos. ôWe attacked their packed defense time and time again, but failed in the deciding moment — in front of the goal. We lost because we didnÆt finish.ö
Canada coach Holger Osieck said, ôNo doubt Costa Rica had more parts of the game, especially in the second half, but we resisted and showed a lot of heart.ö
The first game of a tripleheader in FoxboroÆs Gillette Stadium drew about 20,000 fans, mostly Costa Rican supporters.
Canada 1 Costa Rica 0. Goal: Stalteri 59
Canada — Hirschfeld, Pozniak, Fenwick, De Vos, Hasting, Bent (Hutchinson, 69), Dasovic, Imhof, Nash (Gonzalez, 63), Stalteri, McKenna (Corazzin, 85).
Costa Rica — R.Gonzalez, Martinez, Wright, Marin, L.Gonzalez (C.Castro, 72), Centeno (Bryce, 76), Lopez, Vallejos, A.Castro, Parks (Scott, 62), Fonseca.
Yellow cards: Canada — Dasovic 20, Nash 26; Costa Rica — Vallejos 25.
Att.: 23,000.
Referee: Piper (TRI)