A 16^th minute penalty by Jairo Arrieta proved the difference as Costa Rica held on to earn a 1:0 win over Canada in a Men’s International Friendly at Edmonton, AB’s Commonwealth Stadium on 28 May 2013.



Doneil Henry and André Hainault failed to convert good headed opportunities for Canada – and ultimately the home team failed to create many clear-cut chances from open play.

Costa Rican goalscorer Arrieta had the best chance to extend the lead for the visitors when his headed effort hit the cross bar late in the second half.

Canada opened the match brightly with Randy Edwini-Bonsu and Issey Nakajima-Farran combining well in attack – but despite some positive play early on the Canadians could not carve out a real opportunity in the first 15 minutes.

The decisive moment of the match then occurred when first-time starter Samuel Piette was judged to have brought down a Costa Rican attacker in the area – and Arrieta stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick in the 16^th minute.

Canada dictated play for much of the remainder of the first half and had a great chance to equalize when Kyle Bekker sent in a curling free kick, but Hainault’s free header was scuffed just wide.

The Canadians opened brightly in the second half as well – but again – could not muster a breakthrough in the final third.

Arrieta then had a chance to double his team’s advantage, and he did well to place the header towards the top right corner, but his effort crashed off the bar.

The game then took a twist after an altercation between Nik Ledgerwood and Kenny Cunnigham led to both players being sent off in the 75^th minute. So the final 15 minutes were played out with 10 men on both sides.

Canada mustered a late flurry in search of a goal but again squandered a crucial chance as Bekker’s injury-time corner was headed wide by Henry.

Canada started the match with Milan Borjan in goal; Nik Ledgerwood, André Hainault, Doneil Henry and Ashtone Morgan across the back-line; Julian De Guzman, Samuel Piette and Kyle Bekker in midfield; and Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Issey Nakajima-Farran and Marcus Haber across the attacking three.

It was Samuel Piette’s first start for Canada.

Tosaint Ricketts entered for Edwini-Bonsu in the 63^rd minute. Jonathan Osorio earned his first cap when he replaced Piette in the 70^th minute. Daniel Haber also earned his first cap when he replaced Nakajima-Farran in the 76^th minute. Pedro Pacheco entered for De Guzman in the 89^th minute.

Nakajima-Farran received a yellow card in the 60^th minute. Nik Ledgerwood was shown a straight red card in the 75^th minute.

Costa Rica started the match with Patrick Pemberton in goal; and Pablo Herrera, Christopher Menses, Johnny Acosta, Michael Umana, Allen Guevara, Osvaldo Rodrigues, Keilor Soto, Yeltsin Tejada, Jairo Arrieta and Kenny Cunningham across the pitch.

Ariel Rodriguez entered for Soto in the 58^th minute. Jordan Smith entered for Hererra in the 62^nd minute. Alejandro Aguilar entered for Arrieta in the 88^th minute.

Keilor Soto received a yellow card in the 45^th minute. Kenny Cunningham was shown a straight red card in the 75^th minute.

Canada’s Randy Edwini-Bonsu was selected as man of the match.

The friendly at Commonwealth Stadium was played in front of a crowd of 8,102.