Costa Rica vs New Zealand
It’s the hottest ticket in international football.
The Intercontinental Play-Offs and a place at Qatar 2022 – one of only two remaining – up for grabs.
If the two places which remain, one will be decided by this World Cup 2022 qualifying clash in Doha.
After all the many months of sweat, skill, toil and World Cup qualifying highlights, it all comes down to this.
It’s Los Ticos versus the Socceroos.
Talking Points
Let’s start with Los Ticos.
I covered all Costa Rica matches at the last World Cup and, although they didn’t progress out of their group, they gave a good account of themselves in each and every encounter.
Their 2-2 draw with Switzerland was one such example and, but for a bit more good fortune, they would have already qualified for Qatar as they finished fourth in the CONCACAF group, just behind the USA on goal difference.
That they were three points behind Canada and Mexico, who held their first two positions, shows how close the battle was in North and Central America, yet that only tells half the story.
For last November, they had taken just six points from their first seven qualifiers.
In came Gerson Torres and the core parts of their 2014 team – when they reached the World Cup quarter-finals – such as Bryan Ruíz, Keylor Navas and Celso Borges were revitalised.
Indeed, they have won seven and drawn one of their last eight matches, recording six clean sheets in that period.
No wonder when they have the likes of Navas – a triple Champions League winner with Real Madrid (2016-18) – as their last line of defence.
While on one side, Costa Ricans have been regulars at World Cup tournaments this century – my first encounter with them was in Italia 90 and a famous victory over Scotland – New Zealand are anything but.
In fact, there is a distinct difference between the opponents they have faced in the Oceania qualifying section and those in Concacaf.
The Kiwis were dominant as they secured first place in their qualifying group but the fact they are ranked as the 101st best international team in the world (Costa Rica are 33rd) tells its own story.
They have talented players, not least in their main attacking threat, Chris Wood of Newcastle United, while another name you may know is a fine defender who also graced the English top flight in Winston Reid.
New Zealand are actually sweating on Reid’s fitness after the experienced defender missed Thursday’s goalless draw with Oman in a warm-up friendly.
Despite this, they go into this play-off as underdogs.
Although they know they are outsiders, they will look to use the hurt caused by painful home defeats against Mexico (2013) and Peru (2017) to make it to the tournament for only the third time in their history.
It was in 1982 when New Zealand delighted neutrals the world over with their spirit, even though they lost all their group games to Scotland, Brazil and USSR, scoring twice and conceding 12 in three games.
However, in 2010 in South Africa, they were rather unfortunate, drawing all three group matches against Slovakia, Paraguay and Italy – that 1-1 draw was one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history – only failing to reach the knockout stages by the narrowest of margins.
The achievements of the class of 2010 must be the aim for the 2022 intake but it remains a big ask.
History
The nations have only met once before and that was a friendly in 2007 when Costa Rica ran out 4-0 winners in San Jose.
On that occasion, Alvaro Saborío netted two penalties with goals from Alonso Solis and Ruiz sandwiched between.
Betting Tip
Costa Rica are firm favourites with the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds.
Los Ticos can be backed 1X2 @ 1.66 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.96 compared to the All Whites, offers on whom include 1X2 @ 5.40 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.31.
The 1X2 Draw after 90 minutes is available @ 3.40.
If you expect goals, then look at Total Goal 0-1 @ 2.23, 2-3 @ 1.86 and 4-6 @ 5.20.
A repeat of their only previous meeting – Correct Score 4-0 – will pay out at an attractive @ 38.00.
If New Zealand can sneak a 1-0 win in Doha then a pay day awaits of @ 11.50, again with Correct Score.
I do think Costa Rica will win this one, though it will be fairly close.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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