Costa Rica Dismantles Canada 5-1 to Clinch 1st Place in Group C

In what was one of the worst performances in Canadian history, the Reds fell 5-1 to defending champions Costa Rica and finish 2nd in Group C at the 2021 CONCACAF Futsal Championships.

Both teams came into the match with wins over Haiti in a three-team group that assured both a spot into the coveted quarter-final stage. The winner of each quarter-final match would clinch a spot into the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania.

The winner of Group C was assured a preferred date with Suriname while the runner-up would face a dangerous Panama side that finished 2nd at the 2016 CONCACAF Championships.

Costa Rica were simply dominant from start to finish and punished Canada repeatedly for defensive mistakes. They scored four goals in the opening half including a long range chip from Ticos keeper Vargas in the final minute of the half.

They would continue to punish the uninspired Canadians and scored a 5th in the 35th minute when Costa Rica were awarded a penalty which was easily converted by Garro for his second of the match. Canada would get some luck immediately after when an Ian Bennett shot took a deflection off a Costa Rican defender and into the new breaking the shutout.

Canada will now have a day off before facing Panama in the most pivotal game in team history.

Group C

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Costa Rica	2	2	0	0	12	1	+11	6	Knockout stage
2	Canada	2	1	0	1	5	7	−2	3
3	Haiti	2	0	0	2	2	11	−9	0