FATORDA: Four-goals scored by four different scorers, but it was the Costa Rica goalkeeper Ricardo Montenegro, who stole the limelight on Tuesday night at Fatorda Stadium.
Yecxy Jaquin scored his first international goal to give the South American the lead before Fandje Toure levelled terms at half-hour mark for Guinea. Costa Rica’s Andres Gomez restored his side’s lead, netting his second goal of the tournament, but Guinea equalised nine minutes before time through Ibrahima Soumah.
Such a dramatic finish to the game, however, it was Ricardo, who helped his team to earn their first point of the campaign following his heroics under the horizontal bar holding on to a nervy 2-2 draw against Guinea in their FIFA U-17 World Cup Group C clash.
After his impressive performance against the Germans that kept a slender scoreline in the first match, Ricardo Montenegro was at his best once again to deny the attacking trio — Naby Bangoura, Seydouba Cisse and Fandje Toure which saw them have 42 shot at the Costa Rican goal in the entire match.
Despite scoring his second goal of the tournament and assisting the first goal for Yecxy Jarquin, Andres Gomes heaped praised to Ricardo and gave credit to the Deportivo Saprissa keeper Ricardo.
“He (Ricardo) has been a tremendous keeper. a very fundamental player. He has won the love of the fans from Costa Rica and Goa,” said Andres speaking exclusively to Herald, after the match.
Already termed as future ‘Keylor Navas’, Ricardo showed his abilities, instincts and alertness under the bar with some breathtaking saves and earned praises from his teammates and goal scorers for his team.
“He is compared to Navas after his recent performance. I feel very comfortable with him in the goal. I’m confident about him. He is my good friend too,” expressed Andres speaking about the next match against Iran.
Ricardo hails from the same region as Keylor Navas. U-17 player is also playing for the same club —Deportivo Saprissa — wherein the current Real Madrid star grew up.
Another Costa Rican goal scorer Yecxy Jarquin said that he was happy to score his first goal but moreover was happy that his side were lucky not to concede more goals.
“They (Guinea) had lot of shots at our goal but our keeper was excellent at goal. He is a good player and we are happy to have him,” exclaimed Jarquin
The five-star display from Ricardo frustrated the Guinean side and earned him praises from Guinean top scorer Fandje Toure.
“Today wasn’t simply our day, we had lot attempts but the Costa Rican keeper was brilliant. He is the one who has saved the team. God didn’t want to us to win.” said Fandje Toure, who was denied on many occasion on a frustrating night for the Guinea.
