Costa Rica 1-1 New Zealand
by Jonathon Hagger (23/2/25)
Above: New Zealand captain Annalie Longo (right) battles for possession in Costa Rica last night. Photo: NZ Football.
A goal from Crystal Palace’s Indiah-Paige Riley just before the break ensured that New Zealand took a draw from the first of two encounters with Costa Rica during this international window.
Costa Rica assembled a confident and talented team to play two international friendly fixtures against the higher-ranked team of New Zealand. While a lot of the players may not have seen before outside of Central America, they impressed with their speed and precision.
A refreshed squad of players for the New Zealand Football Ferns was assembled for these two games in Costa Rica, giving a group of up and coming players a chance to test themselves. The end result of a draw was fair to both teams.
It was the Football Ferns who went on the attack in the early stages with Costa Rica patiently absorbing the pressure. New Zealand looked very confident on the ball and maintained possession well for long periods. That wasn’t to last though as a well-drilled Costa Rican team soon showed what they are capable of.
The first of many breakthrough runs by the hosts occurred in the 11th minute after an uncleared corner landed at their feet. With a completely clear pitch in front of them, Herrera made it all the way to just outside the goal area where she unleashed a shot. The Ferns goalkeeper Victoria Esson made the first of her numerous great saves in the match. In the next three minutes, the shot-stopper was called on again and again as Costa Rica searched for their opening goal.
The first goal of the match was scored by Central American hosts at a time when the match felt like a stalemate. A swift throw-in and speed through the middle of the pitch into open space, found Priscilla Chinchilla in a one-on-one against the goalkeeper. A lovely shot off the outside of the attacker’s boot rolled easily into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. Advantage Costa Rica.
The Ferns immediately re-engaged their attacking strategy and set about attempting to score. While New Zealand had a good amount of possession they were unable to make their passes stick when needed down inside the Costa Rica half. The Ferns employed a tactic of attacking far more directly, attempting to shoot before the opposition had an opportunity to set themselves.
When they did have time to set themselves, Costa Rica exhibited excellent structure in defence, quickly transitioning into a 4-5-1 formation, reminiscent of the best teams in the world.
Esson demonstrated why she is the Ferns’ number one goalkeeper when one of the Costa Rican midfielders played a beautiful pass directly into the path of her quickly advancing striker moving at pace, just right of the goal in the 28th minute. A well placed knee by Esson deflected the ball away, denying a goal.
Kelli Brown really threw herself into the action for New Zealand throughout first half, making a strong showing that she has more than earned her first international call-up.
New Zealand levelled matters in the 45th minute. It began from Kitching’s free-kick which ended up hitting the bar, and in the immediate follow-up play, Indiah-Paige Riley, launched a magnificent shot on goal from wide out on the right hand wing that sailed past the goalkeeper.
The second half started in favour of Costa Rica as they repeatedly beat the defensive efforts of the Ferns, creating wide open space for the attacks to launch. Of concern for the visitors was the inability of their defenders to turn and get back into position. Playing with three defenders requires the midfield to be able to turn and go but the speed of the midfield players was unable to compete with against speedy opposition.
At the front of the field, Hand reasserted the reason why she is a go to selection. Her excellent shot in the 53rd minute required the Central American’s goalkeeper, Salera, to act quickly and responsively.
The next major talking point came in the 68th minute as the Ferns defenders needlessly coughed up possession just outside the goal area. A shot on goal by Costa Rica was unable to finished off as the goalkeeper, Esson, once again managed to get her fingers on the ball and guided it away safely.
The substitution change with Hahn making her debut for the Ferns in the 66th minute, added spark the visitors’ midfield. Her ability to both stand strong as well as twist into space, bamboozled the defenders. Far more creative play came through as her ability to slip into open spaces came to the fore, giving more time for Riley and Hand to setup to shoot.
With full time approaching, neither team were happy to settle for a draw and both teams increased the intensity in the closing stages of regular time. True to the rest of the match, while the Ferns dominated field position, Costa Rica’s defensive structure was well able to shut down the New Zealand attacks.
An acknowledgment of the referee Astrid Garmajo of Guatemala, who did an excellent job. The calls made for and against both teams were fair and equal.
Key observations:
Costa Rica are a very good in transition. They are fast and have the ability to control the ball while moving at pace, repeatedly catching the opposition off guard. Their defensive style is very sound.
The Football Ferns looked great at the front, average in the midfield and shaky at the back when countering Costa Rica’s attacks from broken play. All the Ferns wing players were impressive but the team lacked the ability to break down the Costa Rican midfield in the second half, resorting to the old habit of going long and hoping the attacking upfield player can make use of the ball.
Teams: COSTA RICA (3-4-2-1): Solera, Guillen, Bianco, Benavides, Coto, Pinell (80’), Chinchilla, Alvarado, Barrientos (84’), Chinchilla, Salas. Substitutes used: Barahona (84’), Morales (80’), Estrada (84’), Barahona (46’).
Scorer: Chinchilla (20’)
NEW ZEALAND (4-3-3): Esson, Bunge (66’), Taylor, Fraser (79’), Longo, Anton, Riley, Blake (45’), Foster (66’), Kitching, Brown (45’). Substitutes used: Hand (45’), Neville (45’), Hahn (66’), Moore (66’), Elliot (79’).
Scorer: Riley 45’.
Referee: Astrid Garmajo (GUA).
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