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Costa Rica and Canada will be seeking to build on their opening wins at the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday, as they meet at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
The two teams were involved in contrasting first fixtures against Honduras and French Guiana, respectively. Costa Rica were determined and composed in their 1-0 win over Honduras, while Canada, after taking a three-goal lead, staved off an excellent fightback from their opponents to win 4-2.
Should either side win this Group A contest, their qualification for the knockout stages of the competition will be secured.
Meanwhile, Honduras and French Guiana meet in the other group match, with both sides knowing defeat needs to be avoided to keep progression in their own hands.
Read on for the key viewing details for these games and a look ahead to what will be a crucial day in
Group A.
Tuesday Fixtures
6:30 p.m. (Central), Costa Rica vs. Canada
9 p.m. (Central), Honduras vs. French Guiana
TV Info: Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go
Group A Preview
So often in the Gold Cup, Costa Rica are rated by many as dangerous outsiders. Canada may rival them for that title this year.
Coming into this game, coach Octavio Zambrano's side will be feeling confident, as they were inventive and intense in their win over French Guiana. Granted, they did suffer something of a scare late on, as the underdogs netted twice in two minutes to cut the deficit, but they dealt with it well.
Here's a look at the highlights of a win Canada could have thrown away:
Still, the Canucks were able to see the game out with another goal and will feel they have what's required to cause Costa Rica problems—especially through 16-year-old sensation Alphonso Davies.
The tyro netted a brace in the win over French Guiana and tormented the opposition defence throughout the contest.
As noted by Scouted Football, it was a history-making showing from Davies:
The team's official Twitter account relayed what the youngster had to say after his two-goal performance:
Going up against Costa Rica will be a more challenging match for Canada, as the Ticos look intent on winning this Gold Cup.
They showed that in an attritional game against Honduras, in which they took the lead through Marco Urena six minutes before the break. He struck home on the volley after some brilliant wing play from Rodney Wallace.
After the break, Honduras pushed on, although manager Oscar Ramirez's side showed their defensive qualities to keep the one-goal lead intact.
With Mexico and the United States rotating their squads for this competition, a near full-strength Costa Rica side have been tipped as potential winners of this Gold Cup.
As noted by sports journalist Bobby Warshaw, some star men linked up well for the decisive goal:
Although they both lost, French Guiana and Honduras will have taken positives from their opening games, meaning the meeting between the pair should be intriguing.
Honduras will be favourites, but they must show more ruthlessness in the final third of the pitch if they are to take three points. Los Catrachos were able to create chances in the second period against Costa Rica, but they were wasted by Houston Dynamo duo Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto.
French Guiana, making their tournament debut, will be the big outsiders in all of their games, yet they will take some heart from the way they clung on against Canada.
Honduras will be more combative and a little more cohesive, and they will make things difficult for coach Jair Karam's team.
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