by Rod Hughes

Costa Rica’s beloved and irritating Sele (All Star soccer team) nearly always starts the runup to the World Cup qualifications by wandering around the pitch like lost children. So when a Salvadoran team, much despised by Spanish-language press sportswriters, tied an apparently victorious Costa Rica at the last moment, no one should be surprised.

Of course Sele coach Hernan Medford warned the press that they were underestimating El Salvador, espcially on their own home pitch at Cuscatlan Stadium in San Salvador. But it appeared that he was just taking precautions in case the worst happened.

This appeared to be the case when, 25 minutes into the match, Victor Nunez hit home on an assist from Alonso Solis. The Ticos began rubbing their hands in glee five minutes later when Carlos Castro struck pay dirt again on a pass from Nunez. Sele fans were prepared for a walk-away in the second half, especially after local sportwriters had told them for days how weak their rivals were.

Yeah, sure. At minute 61, Salavdore’s Eliseo Quintana closed the gap to 2-1. Hmmm. Shawn Martin tied it up with only two regulation minutes to go. Costa Ricans like to put off everything until the last minute but this was ridiculous.

The reasons for Costa Rica’s second half defensive meltdown will be the top of discussion for several days. We prefer to leave the analysis and remedy to Medford.