Costa Rica's Soccer Team Loses to Sweden

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica: Samuel Holmen scored four minutes after halftime and Sweden beat Costa Rica 1-0 in a friendly that marked the farewell for retiring forward Paulo Wanchope on Sunday.

Wanchope, the second-leading scorer for Costa Rica, failed in his shots at goal but left the field at Saprissa Stadium to cheers of "Chope, Chope" and hugs from teammates in the 32nd minute. He was replaced by Victor Nunez.

Wanchope, who officially retired in November, scored 45 goals in 72 international appearances. During his 13-year career he played for clubs in Costa Rica, England, Qatar, Spain, Argentina and Japan, and spent his last season at Chicago.

“I'm really glad, very nostalgic...sad because this is the last time I'm wearing the (national team's) jersey," Wanchope said. "But at the same time I feel happy because I was able to wear it one last time."

Costa Rica appeared to lose its concentration after his exit, allowing the Swedish a clear opportunity in the 39th minute.

Holmen scored the match-winner 10 minutes later, taking a pass from Dusan Djuric and slotting the ball past goalkeeper Ricardo Gonzales. The Swedish victory settles a more than 17-year score after Costa Rica beat Sweden 2-1, eliminating the Swedes from the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Lineups:

Costa Rica: Ricardo Gonzalez, Victor Cordero, Jervis Drummond, Gabriel Badilla, Junior Diaz, Jose Luis Lopez, Walter Centeno, Roy Myrie, Alonso Solis, Ronald Gomez, Paulo Cesar Wanchope.

Sweden: Johan Wiland, Fredrik Stoor, Mattias Bjarsmyr, Suleyman Sleyman, Behrang Safari, Louay Chanko, Stefan Ishizaki, Anders Svensson, Samuel Holmen, Rade Prica, Dusan Djuric.

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