Costa Rica returns home from U-17s after 4-1 loss

November 1, 2009

Costa Rica was eliminated from the Under-17 World Cup on Saturday, playing a man down for all but the first 13 minutes and allowing two first-half goals before losing its second straight game, 4-1, to Burkina Faso.

The Ticos, whose older counterparts advanced to the Under-20 World Cup semifinals earlier this month, return home with fellow CONCACAF member and Central American rival Honduras, which was eliminated on Friday.

Adrian Mora was ejected by Uzbek referee Ravshon Irmatov a minute after Zidane Zoungrana gave Burkina Faso the lead.

Abdoulaye Ibrango doubled the advantage in the 38th and Louckmane Ouedraogo all but sealed the victory with a goal in the 82nd. Juan Golobio pulled Costa Rica within 3-1 in the 86th, but Bertrand Traore restored the three-goal bulge in the 90th.

Burkina Faso had more than twice as many shots on goal as the Costa Ricans (15-7) and earned a second-round match Thursday against the winner of Group E.

Costa Rica finished last in Group D with one point, earned in its opening 1-1 draw with New Zealand, and saw its streak of reaching the quarterfinals in the past four tournaments come to an end.

Mexico already has qualified for the second round and could be joined by the United States, which plays its final group game against the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

ENUGU, Nigeria

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