January 21, 2012 8:10 PM
Costa Rica's Wendy Acosta (L) jumps into the arms of teammate Daniela Cruz, near Mariela Campos (C), after scoring her second goal against Haiti during the second half of their CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying soccer match in Vancouver, Jan. 21.
Photograph by: Reuters, Andy Clark
Costa Rica all but booked their place into the CONCACAF Olympic qualifier semifinals with a 2-0 win over Haiti on Saturday at B.C. Place.
Two second-half goals from Wendy Acosta and some good late saves from Julieth Arias lifted the Costa Ricans to 2-0-0 in Group A play.
Canada (1-0-0) was set to face Cuba (0-1-0) in the late game, and barring a shocking upset, a Canadian victory would solidify the top two group finishers.
For Haiti (0-2-0), their London Olympic dreams are over but one game remains against Cuba and they deserve at least a goal for their spirited effort so far.
Canada and Costa Rica will face each other on Monday night, a matchup that should be for first in Group A and the huge benefit of facing Mexico, and not the powerhouse U.S., in the semifinals.
Acosta's winner came in the 49th minute on a great shot from just outside the penalty area. After receiving a pass, she took a touch onto her left foot and curled the ball inside the far post behind Geralda Saintilus.
Haiti was without starting goalkeeper Ednie Limage, who was taken to hospital after a collision with a teammate in Thursday's 6-0 loss to Canada.
There was concern of a spinal injury but tests were negative. Limage was not dressed for the game Saturday and isn't expected to return against Cuba.
As good as Limage was Thursday, she wouldn't likely have saved Acosta's blast.
After Samantha Brand tested Costa Rican 'keeper Arias from a sharp angle, and then in tight, in the 54th minute, Acosta made it 2-0 on a scramble in close three minutes later.
The Haitians protested the goal, perhaps for a foul in the box, but it stood.
Only then did Haiti come out of a defensive shell and take it to a Costa Rican side now content to sit back.
Sophia Batard had several chances to cut into the lead, especially when she slipped in behind the defence in the 67th, but she shot high over a charging Arias.
Costa Rica could have led 1-0 just before halftime but Carolina Venegas's goal-bound header deflected high off teammate Adriana Venegas.
The win came at a cost for Costa Rica, as Katherine Alvarado was stretched off at the final whistle. No injury report was available.
Haiti dropped to 0-6-0 all-time in the final round of Olympic qualifying, but this marked the first time they'd allowed fewer than five goals.
In Group B action on Friday, the U.S. beat the Dominican Republic 14-0, while Mexico beat Guatemala 5-0.
U.S. rolls Dominican Republic 14-0 in CONCACAF match
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