Enjoying Reggae and Caribbean football Part2

Costa Rica:
Costa Rica name rings a lot of sweet memories to me in football. One of my nicest memories of the game was attending 1989 Youth World Cup that was hosted in my home, Saudi Arabia. I remember attending one of the group stages games of Costa Rica vs. Columbia. And a the captain Ronald Gnzalez scored the 1-0 winning goal at the last minute from a beautiful free kick.

There was a second game after that, and the Costa Rican team sat next to us in the stadium to watch Soviet Union beating Syria 3-1. We had some chat (almost with sign language) with the guys from Costa Rica.

One year later, few of those players played in 1990 WC for the first time and made a history by reaching the second round, after great group stages performance. Losing only 0-1 to Brazil, and beating both Scotland and Sweden knocking both of them. That same player Ronald Gonzalez scored a nice goal in the second round against Czechoslovakia.

The biggest highlights for the elegant Caribbean team was the wonderful opening goal in their first game ever in the WC finals, beating Scotland 1-0



Later, they made the big news by beating Sweden 2-1 and qualifying to the second round with a winning goal from the young Med Ford.

When you watch the Costa Rican football, you feel it's inspired from its exotic wonderful nature and beaches. Very calm, simple with a big touch of beauty. Yes, not very strong, but beautiful to watch. Goals like this free kick vs. Canada or this beautiful passes vs. Brazil. 

Costa Rica introduced very nice teams in 2002 despite an early departure. They collected 3 points, same as Turkey but had to leave early due to goal differences. Its goals in 2002 vs. Brazil (first and second) and especially the one against Turkey were very nice to watch.

My favorite video to watch at all for Costa Rica was Paulo Wanchope both goals vs. Germany in the opening of the 2006 Mondial. 

After the game, everyone was talking about Germany and Klose and I thought they forgot to acknowledge the great performance of Wanchope. It is not an easy thing to score such two goals against Germany and a keeper like Lehmann, with such confidence, elegance and simplicity. He reminded me of some of the goals of Majed Abdullah, to score a goal with the minimum power needed.

Wanchope was a spectacular striker with some great memories, like this one against Uruguay


or this one against Manchester United


I think he was a wonderful player that retired unnoticed by a global football media. Check this video compilation for him.


Another Costa Rican player worth highlighting is the one with explosive kicks, Carlos Hernandez. Check out this amazing volley vs. the USA in a 3-0 victory


or this one in the Australian league where he plays


Guatemala:
Last team I want to cover is a very modest one, without a record in the WC yet. Yet, their football got some nice moments. The best memory they got is their 1-1 tie with Brazil in 1998 Concacaf Cup.

Occasionally, they score some remarkable goals to remember like this one, or games to remember like this 3-1 victory over Costa Rica with three very nice goals (especially the third one)

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