National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10301 (Terracing: 7726, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Diego Quesada made the kick off which started today's match. If Odilon Baxter had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 4th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 7 played minutes Canada got a freekick which was hit by Lindsey LaCaille. The crowd rose to their feet as Odilon Baxter kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Herberto Obando. That made the score 1-0 in the 9 minute of play. Sheldon Hébert sent away a hard shot on goal in the 13th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Manu Neuer showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Diego Quesada in the 17th minute of the match. In the 20th minute, Diego Quesada hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Alexis Duarte during the 23rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 24 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Alexis Duarte. With a little luck, Costa Rica's Herberto Obando got control of the ball when Odilon Baxter tried to sneak it across the goal line. Manu Neuer showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Claudio Cordero, who was totally free with the ball in the 26th minute. If Diego Quesada had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 27th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Diego Quesada in the 32nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Manu Neuer prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience thought a goal was coming when Odilon Baxter got free with Herberto Obando in the 33rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. An unexpectedly hard shot by Odilon Baxter in the 38th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Herberto Obando to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 40 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Odilon Baxter came free, but Herberto Obando reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Odilon Baxter came up free with the goalie in the 47th minute, the Canada fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Odilon Baxter couldn't finish the play. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

With a couple of smart ball manuevers Odilon Baxter in the 52nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Herberto Obando saved Costa Rica from getting behind. A nice corner shot did that Olivier Self got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Herberto Obando quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Olivier Self's long shot made the audience stand up and applaude when it rumbled by Herberto Obando on his right side and into the goal. 53 minutes into the game it was 2-0. Herberto Obando took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Odilon Baxter, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Canada's attentive Claude Duhamel managed to snatch the ball when Alexis Duarte made a throw-in in the 59th minute of the game. Manu Neuer showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Diego Quesada, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. Manu Neuer took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Diego Quesada, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Alexis Duarte kicked well hit freekick during the 68th minute of the match. In the 69th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alexis Duarte to maneuver through the defense. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Odilon Baxter in the 70th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Herberto Obando prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The Canada fans' excitement grew in the 71st match minute when Canada's Odilon Baxter looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 3-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Thanks to some nice moves Heriberto Chinchilla could shoot a difficult shot in the 83rd minute, which Manu Neuer however easily saved by the left post. In the 84th minute of the match Costa Rica got a corner. Canada's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Santiago Umaña ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner ended in Santiago Umaña almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Canada's Manu Neuer did a great save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Odilon Baxter in the 87th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Herberto Obando saved Costa Rica from getting behind. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Canada had won after a very even match.