FIFA World Cup 2022, Group E: Costa Rica’s Keysher Fuller shines in thriller against Japan

The FIFA World Cup 2022 kicked off on November 20 between Qatar and Ecuador and the hosts are out of the competition on the back of their poor run in the campaign. As things stand, Japan and Costa Rica locked horns in the Group E match on November 27, Sunday at the Ahmen bin Ali Stadium. 

Concerning the first half, both teams put on a great fight and displayed great intent, even though Japan held possession throughout the course of the intense game. However, despite creating opportunities, both teams failed to bag a goal to their name and eventually, at the stroke of the first-half whistle, both countries remained at 0-0. 

Costa Rica continue great run in FIFA World Cup 2022

While many predicted that the match might end in a 0-0 draw, Costa Rica managed to pull one off in the 81st minute, surprising the entire set of Japanese fans gathered in huge numbers in the iconic stadium. 

To add more to Costa Rica’s goal, it was Keysher Fuller who produced it for the team 9 minutes prior to the 90-mark mark, eventually pulling off a late-minute stunner, much to the stupefaction of the team management and the coach, Luis Fernando Suárez.

Japan managed to come up with 13 shots, out of which 3 were on target, albeit they did not manage to convert either of them into a goal and post-Costa Rica’s lead, Japan lost momentum and looked completely lost in the game. It remains to be seen if Japan could qualify for the knockouts of the FIFA World Cup 2022, given that the only positive in the ongoing campaign so far has been the win against Australia in their campaign opener.

Costa Rica, on the other hand, are ranked third in the points table and the team would look to win the other game and make it through to the Round of 16 stage. With Spain leading at the top with 3 points to their name, they are currently the early favourites to ensure their presence in the next stages of the tournament.