ORLANDO, Fla. -- Costa Rica manager Oscar Ramirez believed his side was unfortunate in its Copa America Centenario opener on Saturday, though not because of any late decisions from the referee.
The Ticos settled for a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Group A match at a steamy Camping World Stadium. They’ll now face the US national team Tuesday without center back Kendall Waston, who was sent off deep second-half stoppage time for his two-legged challenge on Nelson Valdez.
It would’ve been wildly different if, only seconds earlier, Argentine referee Patricio Loustau had pointed to the spot after Celso Borges’ cross appeared to strike Paraguay defender Celso Ortiz’s right forearm. But Ramirez shrugged that notion off.
“There’s a certain circumstances where in thousandths of seconds you have to make decisions,” Ramirez said through a translator. “He did the best that he could.”
His team reacted more vociferously, particularly on the ejection, which had Waston holding his head in disbelief. Ramirez didn’t mind that response, attributing it to competitiveness.
“We had a time limit, and I think that frustrated [us],” Ramirez said. “I think it’s a group that is a winner, that knows there’s a chance to get those three points.”
Paraguayan boss Ramon Angel Diaz also felt aggrieved, though his biggest lament was with stifling conditions that forced heat-induced hydration breaks in each half.
“It’s crazy to play at the time that we played,” he said through a translator.
Even so, Paraguay troubled Costa Rica through the opening 45 minutes and especially in the opening 15. On separate occasions, Tico defenders Johnny Acosta, Borges and Waston all had to make last-moment interventions to stop Paraguay attacks.
Costa Rica was better after the break, and came closest to scoring in the 87th minute when Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar just barely blocked Christian Bolaños’ 25-yard dipping effort outside the pst.
That left honors even, and the managers in disagreement.
“If I analyze the game, the one that should’ve had the three points should’ve been us," Diaz said. “We lost two points, that’s how I feel.”
Ramirez also saw it as two points lost. “But if you would’ve asked the question at halftime, I would’ve answered backwards.”
