It was a joyous occasion for the Costa Rica blind football team on Saturday evening as they clinched victory at the IBSA Blind Football Central American Championships in Guatemala.

Costa Rica defeated the host team on penalties in the final of the tournament following a 1-1 draw after 40 minutes.

Jorge Rodas was on the mark early in the game for Guatemala to put the hosts ahead, but Costa Rica pushed back and forced the hosts on to the back foot in search of an equaliser.

Guatemala held on to its lead at half-time, but early in the second half Esteban Chávez found a way through the tough defence and scored for the Costa Ricans.

As there were no more goals in regular time, the game went to a penalty shoot-out, and Costa Rica came out on top by 3 goals to 2.

Caption: Costa Rica scores the winning penalty.

The IBSA Blind Football Central American Championships were the first ever official tournament in the region. They were hosted by the Guatemalan Committee for the Blind and Deaf and held thanks to support from the International Paralympic Committee.

In addition to raising the trophy and becoming the first Central American champions, Costa Rica sealed a place at the IBSA Blind Football World Championships in Madrid, Spain, in June 2018.

Caption: Costa Rica lifts the trophy and celebrates victory during the closing ceremony.

In the game for third and fourth place, Honduras defeated El Salvador 2-0 thanks to a brace from Kelvin Castillo.

Final standings   

1st Costa Rica
2nd Guatemala
3rd Honduras
4th El Salvador
5th Nicaragua
 
Top scorer – Esteban Chávez (Costa Rica – 9 goals)
Player of the tournament – Esteban Chávez (Costa Rica)
Fair play trophy – El Salvador

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Caption: championships logo.