This week, the Costa Rican women's national football team, also known as "La Sele," earned its first-ever point in a FIFA World Cup, during a 1-1 tie with Spain. As far as we know, officially it is also the first sighting of Ms. Sloth Kong, pictured here. In their next match, Las Ticas take on South Korea tomorrow at 5 p.m., Costa Rica time. ¡Vamos, Sele!
Ahead of the first World Cup in 1991, 45 teams sought the 11 available slots alongside host China. This year's tournament attracted 128 countries chasing 23 places with Canada, and eight qualified for the first time.
The newspaper’s cover referred to Dinnia Díaz – the goalkeeper of the Costa Rican Women’s National Soccer Team, which just qualified for the Women’s World Cup for the first time in history – as “Keylar.” (This allusion to renowned male Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas is roughly akin to referring to a women’s basketball star as “Michelle Jordan.”)
Juan Diego Quesada was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Under-17 Women's National Team less than a month after Costa Rica's dismal performance in the World Cup hosted by the country.
Japan completed a magnificent Under-17 Women's World Cup run with a, 2-0, victory over Spain in the championship at the National Stadium in west San José on Friday evening. Japan dominated the tournament, scoring 23 goals and allowing only one in the World Cup
President Laura Chinchilla declared that Friday would be a holiday for public employees as long as they spend their day off watching some World Cup action.
Japan and Spain will face off in the world championship Friday at 5 p.m. in the National Stadium, in west San José. Venezuela and Italy will play for third place in the stadium at 2 p.m. If you would like to see a World Cup title match, tickets are available through FIFA's website, and cost as little as $6.