Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa pulled off a shock by defeating Sydney FC 1-0 set up a semi-final encounter with European champions Liverpool at the FIFA Club World Championship.
Midfielder Christian Bolanos scored the only goal of the game two minutes into the second half to give CONCACAF champions Saprissa victory.
Sydney had defender Alvin Ceccoli sent off in the 81st minute after he was adjudged to have caught Saprissa goalkeeper Jose Porras after the ball had gone.
“We made history tonight,” said Saprissa coach Hernan Medford. “We will face a great team in Liverpool but nothing is impossible in football.
“Tomorrow we will start to think about Liverpool. For the moment we just want to enjoy this victory.”
Sydney were caught cold by Bolanos’s 47th-minute strike after shading a turgid first half.
Sydney coach Pierre Littbarski blamed his side’s defeat on their finishing, althogh he was happy overall with his side’s performance.
“I think the difference was experience and their finishing was better,” said Littbarski.
“I think we represented Australia well. I think it was a very equal game.”
South American champions Sao Paulo take on Saudi club Al Ittihad in Wednesday’s first semi-final in Tokyo.
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