CONCACAF WCQ Qualifiers: Winners and losers
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It’s almost crunch time as we close in on the 2018 World Cup. While some teams already qualified, others are trying to claw their way in.
Winner: Costa Rica
Los Ticos have always been the dark horse of CONCACAF. At times, they can give their opponents a run for their money (2014 World Cup) or at times they are over-glorified punching bags (2016 Copa America). Against Mexico, they put up a solid performance that reminded us to not underestimate them.
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Loser: Giovanni dos Santos
It’s pretty awesome to open up the score board, especially in the first half. Mexico was consistently threatening the Costa Rican defensive line and they succeeded. Giovani Dos Santos had a chance to work inside the box, after a pass from Raul Jimenez, but it crossed paths with Cristian Gamboa for an own goal. El Gio’s international goal drought continues (since October 2016; against New Zealand). He might get another chance; against Trinidad & Tobago.
Winners: Hiring Lozano and Christian Pulisic
The young PSV midfielder continues to show that he is the future of the El Tri. Even though Lozano (aka Chucky) didn’t score, he was the best offensive player in this match.
His counterpart from the north also has a bright future. Pulisic didn’t find the back of the net (against Honduras), but are high pressure matches will force Pulisic into the next stage of his career.
Loser: Bruce Arena
After Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked, many thought that Bruce Arena was going to restore order to the team. It hasn’t been easy and this was proof. Normally, we’d say that it takes time to readjust; but there isn’t time for that. Arena says that he’s “proud” of the team and how they “hung in there and battled”. There’s little to be proud of when you barely tied against a weaker team.
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Winner: Honduras
Honduras is far from being an elite team in CONCACAF; but there have been times that they managed to stand toe-to-toe against bigger teams. As if the USMNT wasn’t sloppy enough, “Los Catrachos” were impressive: overall. Their trip to Russia requires that Costa Rica, Panama, and Mexico (the latter will face Honduras) to lose their upcoming matches.
Photo credit: Twitter.com/ CONCACAF
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