Costa Rica’s male national soccer team didn’t capitalize in the home advantage and draw 0-0 with Panama in the fifth round of the World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday night.

The first half of the match was exciting and kept the audience at the edge of their seats, Costa Rica had several opportunities to score but in some cases Panama’s defense and goalkeeper responded adequately while in other times La Sele simply lost their chance to score.

Costa Rica had possession of the ball for most of the first 45 minutes but mistakes here and there kept them from securing a first goal.

Panama started pressuring Costa Rica towards the last ten minutes of the first half and created a couple of dangerous plays but they were also unable to get ahead in the score, they resorted many times to rough play which the referee chose to ignore and created problems among the members of both teams that were complaining and arguing towards the end of the first half.

In the second half, the table turned with Panamá attacking more and creating a couple of opportunities while Costa Rica’s team lacked structure and organization.

The rough game continued and “La Sele” finished with 10 men in the field after the expulsion of Giancarlo “Pipo” Guzmán, this caused the team the fall into a more defensive role.

Towards the last 15 minutes Costa Rica looked to open the score with Joel Campbell but failed once again.

Costa Rica in short has talented key players but the team continues to make big mistakes; head coach Oscar Ramírez should consider making changes to the lineup and game strategy which is not bringing out the best in the team.

Panama when frustrated falls apart and resorts to a rough game.

Referee Jair Marrufo had difficulties keeping the game under control and didn’t act in many plays that required his intervention.

In the other CONCACAF games that also took place today, Mexico beat Honduras 3-0, and the US Male National Team defeated Trinidad & Tobago 2-0.

With these results Mexico consolidates its leadership at the top of the table, Trinidad & Tobago remains in the bottom position followed by Honduras. Costa Rica is holding on to the second position with 8 points, the United States is now in 3rd with 7 and Panama went down to the 4th slot with 6 points.

The next games of the hex stage are scheduled as follows:

June 11th
Mexico vs. USMNT 7:30 p.m.

June 13th
Panama vs. Honduras 7:35 p.m.
Costa Rica vs. Trinidad & Tobago 8 p.m.