DOHA: Keysher Fuller scored the match-winner as Costa Rica bounced back into the competition with a win over Japan, who shocked four-time champions Germany in their opener.
Fuller took advantage of a defensive error and scored at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
Both teams now have three points after two matches and a good chance to advance to the round of 16 from Group E.
“We’re still alive,” said Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez.
“We weren’t dead yesterday, and now we are very much in this. The main thing is we are still alive. No one can forget about us. We can still dream.”
Fuller scored his goal in the 81st minute after Japan failed to clear the ball. He hit the net from 18 meters (yards), with the shot going in off the fingertips of leaping Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda. (AP)
