[1/5] Soccer Football - International Friendly - Saudi Arabia v Costa Rica - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain, September 8, 2023 Saudi Arabia's Ali Abdullah Hazzazi in action with Costa Rica's Manfred Ugalde and Francisco Calvo Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith Acquire Licensing RightsNEWCASTLE, England, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Costa Rica earned a 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia at St James' Park in a friendly on Friday after a pre-match protest by Newcastle United fans over the use of the stadium by the Saudi team.
However, they could not find the equaliser and Costa Rica wrapped up the win when Randall Leal fired home in the 89th.
Costa Rica interim coach Claudio Vivas told ESPN: "Keylor Navas has a very distinguished career, playing for Real Madrid is important, it's not for just anyone.
A group of Newcastle fans protested before the match against the use of St James' Park by Saudi Arabia, who will play again at the stadium on Tuesday versus South Korea.
Saudi Arabia won the last of their thee Asian Cup titles in 1996.
Persons:
Park, Saudi Arabia's Ali Abdullah Hazzazi, Costa Rica's Manfred Ugalde, Francisco Calvo, Lee Smith, Keylor Navas, Joel Campbell's, Manfred Ugalde, Jimmy Marin's, Roberto Mancini, Ali Al Bulayhi, Feras Al Brikan's, Randall Leal, it's, Navas, Claudio Vivas, He's, St, Angelica Medina, Janina Nuno, Ken Ferris
Organizations:
Soccer Football, James, Saudi, St James, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Costa, CONCACAF, Central Americans, ESPN, United Arab, Newcastle, South, Public Investment Fund, AFC Asian, Thomson
Locations:
Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, Newcastle, Britain, Saudi, NEWCASTLE, England, Qatar, Italy, Feras, United Arab Emirates, Croatia, South Korea, Mexico City