Costa Rican fans (pictured) have offered plenty of encouragement to the home team during the 2016CONCACAF Futsal Championship. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – With his team aiming to become the first to repeat as the CONCACAF Futsal Championship (CFC) champion, Costa Rica head coach Diego Solis is stressing the role of the home fans in making history.
The Ticos are a perfect 4-0-0 at BN Arena, where a crowd of 1,878 gave enthusiastic backing during a 7-1 win over Guatemala in the semifinals Thursday.
“The support of the fans is very important,” said Solis, who was MVP of the 2000 CFC. “It’s like fresh water for them (the players) to continue working, to continue fighting. We can say that it is an extra plus, apart from playing in these kinds of matches, the support of the fans strengthens the players.”
Costa Rica will once again need those in the stands to be in good voice on Saturday, when it faces Panama (4-0-0) in the final.
The sides have met twice before in the competition, with the Costa Ricans going unbeaten, drawing 6-6 in a 2008 group stage encounter and winning 4-1 in the semifinals four years ago.
Panama has scored a tournament-best 24 goals and will offer a motivated challenge. It needed extra time, however, to overcome Cuba, 6-5, in the semifinals.
“Panama is a very strong team physically,” Solis commented. “They play man-to-man to the death the whole game. I think Panama had significant exhaustion [in the semifinal]. We were able to manage the (playing) times more and make changes, so that they players could refresh themselves. We feel good for this Saturday.”
A win will also give Costa Rica the record for most CFC crowns, which it currently shares with the United States at two.
