ALAJUELA, Costa Rica - Second-half substitute Alhyssa Villalta capitalized on Haitian goalkeeper Alexandra Coby's blunder in the 57th minute to spark Costa Rica a 2-0 victory Friday night, sending the host into the semifinals of the CONCACAF Under-17 Women's Championship.
The result also qualified the United States, which beat the Cayman Islands 13-0 earlier in the evening, for the final four. But the match was a remarkable improvement for Haiti, which was routed 9-0 by the Americans on Wednesday.
The Haitians, who were consoled on the field by the Americans in an emotional end to Wednesday's game, played two months to the day after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated their country, killing an estimated 270,000.
Several players could be seen after the game weeping bitterly on the field, some comforted by the coaches and support staff.
After playing completely defensive against the United States, Haiti challenged Costa Rica from the outset, using three forwards to pressure the ball. The tactic prevented the Ticas from sending everybody forward and forced turnovers and errant passes.
Neither side was particularly dangerous until Villalta's goal, both pinned in the middle third and relegated to shots from distance.
Costa Rica started to take control 10 minutes into the second half, and scored when Fabiola Sanchez's left-footed cross from the top of the offensive third slipped through Coby's hands as Haitian midfielder Sindy Jeune approached. The ball bounced once and Villalta, who replaced Maria Brenes at halftime, trailed the play and easily converted into an open net at the back post.
Maria Moreira added an insurance goal in the 74th, running onto Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno's through ball between two defenders and beating Coby from the middle of the area.
Costa Rica appeared surprised by Haiti's aggressive posture at the start, and struggled at times to get the ball out of its own end.
It managed to control the possession for about 10 minutes midway through the first half, but Haiti composed itself and kept the Ticas from seriously threatening Coby's net.
Despite disrupting Costa Rica, which overwhelmed the Cayman Islands 7-0 in their opener on Wednesday, Haiti managed only one shot on goal in the first half.
Hayana Jean-Francois started the Haitians' second half encouragingly, forcing Costa Rican keeper to save a 45-meter effort in the 54th, but Costa Rica soon began to take over.
Moreira hit the crossbar in the 68th before she secured Costa Rica's victory six minutes later.
Costa Rica will play the United States on Sunday for the Group B title - and semifinal seeding, while Haiti will play fellow Caribbean side Cayman Islands.
