DOHA: Luis Fernando Suarez said his Costa Rica team were "still very much alive" at the World Cup after a 1-0 win over Japan on Sunday blew Group E wide open -- and handed a potential lifeline to Germany, reports AFP.
Japan, who shocked four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their opener in Qatar, would have taken a giant stride towards the last 16 with a win.
It was Costa Rica's first shot on target at this World Cup and left them, leaders Spain and Japan all on three points. Spain face Germany later Sunday in a group widely seen as the toughest at the tournament.
Japan's early promise melted in the Doha sun and the first shot at goal -- a tame effort which sailed high and wide -- did not come until 10 minutes from half-time through Costa Rica's Joel Campbell. A dreary first half came to a close with "Los Ticos" having had more of the ball but neither side mustering a shot on target.
Moriyasu had seen enough and made a double change at the break, one of them the introduction of Bundesliga-based striker Takuma Asano, who scored the winner against the Germans.
