New Zealand played Costa Rica in a playoff yesterday. The winner would secure the final, and 32nd spot, in the upcoming Football World Cup in Qatar.
I remember the elation of the All Whites making it to the World Cup in 2010. I was in a room with 20 of my friends and we were jumping and crying at the thought of seeing our country’s team on the world stage for the first time in our lives.
Costa Rica is ranked 31st in the world. New Zealand is 101st. It was always going to be a battle. But the bright side was all the pressure was on Costa Rica.
I watched the match in earnest, but an early goal from Los Ticos, plus a disallowed goal for the Kiwis, ultimately led to New Zealand losing 1-0.
They played well, and put pressure on Costa Rica throughout the match, but it wasn’t meant to be.
I’ll wait patiently for 4 more years.