The injured Oscar Duarte (pictured) will miss Costa Rica's World Cup qualifier against host Panama on November 17, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Injuries concerns continue to mount for Costa Rica after the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol announced Sunday that Oscar Duarte and Johan Venegas will miss Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier at Panama.
The duo will be replaced by defender Kenner Gutierrez and forward Kenny Cunningham, who play for Alajuelense and Herediano in the Costa Rican top-flight, respectively.
Costa Rica team doctor Alejandro Ramirez confirmed the Venegas suffered broken nose and bruised jaw, while Duarte tore a right-calf muscle in Friday’s 1-0 win over visiting Haiti.
In addition to those personnel setbacks, the Central American champion will be without the services of key midfielder Celso Borges. The 27-year-old fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot late in the first half against the Haitians.
