Klinsmann: Bitter defeat for the US
Klinsmann hurt bad by the crushing defeat
WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
COSTA RICA 4
(Johan Venegas 44, Christian Bolanos 68,
Joel Campbell 74, 77)
UNITED STATES 0
United States coach Juergen Klinsmann said his team's 4-0 thrashing by Costa Rica yesterday morning (Singapore time) was the most dispiriting loss of his reign as he reflected on back-to-back World Cup qualifying defeats.
"It's definitely the defeat that hurts the most in my five years, for sure," a sombre Klinsmann admitted after watching Costa Rica dismantle his men on a sultry night at San Jose's Estadio Nacional.
Arsenal's Joel Campbell scored twice in three second-half minutes after Johan Venegas and Christian Bolanos had put the 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists 2-0 ahead.
The drubbing, which followed a shattering 2-1 home loss to Mexico in Columbus last Saturday, leaves the US bottom of the Concacaf region's six-team final round of qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.
UNEXPECTED
Although there are still plenty of points to play for with eight games remaining, Klinsmann admitted that he had not anticipated failing to take a point from the opening two games.
Said the former Germany striker: "We didn't imagine we'd start with two defeats.
"We knew it was going to be difficult playing Mexico and Costa Rica in the first two games.
"But obviously you want to have some points.
"This is definitely a moment to reflect on what happened in the last 10 days.
"I said to the players it won't be the only 4-0 defeat in their careers.
"But, hopefully, they'll take some lessons from this.
"Definitely it's bitter because we wanted to do far better than we did."
The US have played in every World Cup since the 1990 Finals in Italy.
The top three finishers in the Concacaf round-robin tournament qualify automatically for Russia, while the fourth-placed side enter a play-off.
This drubbing is certain to renew speculation about Klinsmann's position.
The German World Cup winner has faced repeated criticism of his tactics and personnel over the past year.
Against the Costa Ricans, his team were outplayed.
And that spells danger for Klinsmann.
- Wire Services.
OTHER RESULT
- Panama 0 Mexico 0
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now