Costa Rica ends beach soccer World Cup bid with three defeats

LISBON, Portugal – Costa Rica, already eliminated when it reached the third and last day in group B of the beach soccer World Cup, said farewell to Espinho, Portugal with a total of three defeats, after losing 7-2 Monday to Oman.

The Ticos, who had previously lost to Italy (6-1) and Switzerland (4-3), had honor at risk, but still succumbed to Oman, another team that had already been eliminated and had lost its first two games.

The last two Costa Rican goals were scored by Danny Johnson (minutes 19 and 28) in a duel in which coach Franklin Zúñiga’s men never seemed inspired enough to their time at Espinho well.

It was the second time Costa Rica contested a FIFA beach soccer World Cup. The first time, in Dubai in 2009, the team was also eliminated during the first phase with three defeats, against Russia (5-1), Argentina (6-0) and Italy (3-1).