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Wednesday October 14, 2009

Ticos must end US drought to book ticket

WASHINGTON: No Costa Rican team have won a World Cup qualifier on US soil in 24 years but the Ticos must end that drought today to ensure themselves a berth in the 2010 South Africa World Cup.

North American regional qualifying for next year’s global football showdown ends today with the Americans and Mexico having already secured berths and Costa Rica fighting Honduras for the region’s last automatic World Cup spot.

The US squad set the pace with 19 points off six wins and a draw in nine matches, although one of their losses came 3-1 at Costa Rica in June. Mexico, who visit eliminated Trinidad and Tobago today, are next on 18.

The Ticos are next at 5-4 for 15 points with Honduras at 4-4 with a draw for 13 points. Honduras will travel to “Soccer War” border rivals El Salvador today needing a victory to have any hope of taking the automatic berth.

Costa Rica would clinch a trip to South Africa with a victory but a draw or loss opens the door for Honduras, who would have a superior goal difference and get the nod with a victory combined with a Ticos draw at Washington.

Neither team will see their World Cup dream die but Concacaf’s fourth-placed team face a two-leg playoff against the fifth-place side from South America to determine a World Cup berth.

“It’s very important for us to qualify for the World Cup by taking care of our business without having to worry about other results,” 35-year-old Ticos defender Luis Marin said.

Ticos coach Rene Simoes, a Brazilian who formerly guided Jamaica, took over after Rodrigo Kenton was fired after three losses in a row. Costa Rica won 4-0 Saturday at Trinidad and Tobago but Simoes knows his next foes are formidable.

“The US team know how to control a match very intelligently,” Simoes said. — AFP

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