Costa Rica’s men’s soccer team beat Haiti 2-0 at home Wednesday night, their sixth consecutive win, maintaining their perfect record in this regional World Cup qualifying round. Last weekend, the team, known as La Sele, beat Suriname 4-1 on the road to secure their spot in next year’s regional finals for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Having already qualified to the next round, the Ticos’ play during much of the game was cautious as they tried to avoid injuries and yellow cards.
Junior Diaz scored his first goal in 27 international appearances with the team in the 17th minute. Then, late substitute Victor Nuñez, one of two unmarked players at the far post, neatly headed a cross from Brian Ruíz into the back of the net in the waning minutes of injury time in the second half.
The wins put La Sele firmly atop Group 3. The team will travel to San Salvador for the final game of the quadrangular phase Nov. 19 against El Salvador, who also have clinched their spot in the next round.
