Costa Rica face Mexico’s in Sunday’s Gold Cup quarter-finals after resting Sunderland’s Bryan Oviedo for their final group game.
With both sides’ place in the last eight assured, Costa Rica changed their entire back four to keep them fresh for the knockout stages.
Although a draw would have confirmed Costa Rica as group winners, they went out for the win only to be beaten 2-1 by Haiti. Oviedo’s understudy, Ronald Matarrita, was at fault for both goals.
Costa Rica took a 13th-minute lead when Alvaro Saborio’ header deflected off Djimy Alexis and into his own goal, and later switched to five at the back to hold onto it.
But when Duckens Nazon caught Matarrita dwelling on the ball, Francisco Calvo came across and barged him over for a 57th-minute penalty the striker converted.
Alexis scored an 81st-minute winner when Matarrita failed to cut out a cross from the left.
Despite that, the verdict of national newspaper La Nacion was not too scathing. “He played a very acceptable game, helping Francisco Calvo in defence and (winger) Randall Leal”, it commented.
Los Ticos had 71 per cent of the ball, and outshot Haiti 14-10, but managed just two shots on target.
Nazon also had a shot tipped onto the post by Leonel Moreira.
As a result of their defeat, Costa Rica will now face eight-time winners Mexico, whilst Haiti play Canada, coached by Consett-born John Herdman .
With a wage bill of around £14m for next season’s League One campaign, Sunderland are looking to move on Bryan Oviedo, who has been interested in leaving since they dropped out of the Premier League two years ago. He enters the final 12 months of his contract next week.
Club Brugge, Rosenburg and Copenhagen have all been linked, but a good tournament will only increase the 29-year-old’s value. He has scored one goal and made another in his opening two matches.
