GOLD CUP SOCCER
Costa Rica hopes to recover tonight
A favorite to win its group, Costa Rica hopes to erase a 'disastrous' loss to Canada in the first game by beating Haiti tonight.

The group's pre-tournament favorite suddenly is in search of points. Although not ready to panic, Costa Rica realizes the significance of its remaining first-round matches in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

A 2-1 loss against Canada on Wednesday night has left  the Ticos' in the bottom of the Group A draw played at the Orange Bowl.

Costa Rica's coach, Hernán Medford, hopes the days between the Canada opener and tonight's second group game against Haiti will prepare Costa Rica for a better performance.

''Mathematically, we are not on the outside yet,'' Medford said. ``We cannot make a tragedy out of it when we are still alive.''

A 2006 World Cup qualifier, Costa Rica allowed two goals in a 15-minute sequence of the second half Wednesday as Canada became the group leader with three points, and Haiti and Guadeloupe each earned one point following their 1-1 tie.

''Without a doubt, you have to accept Canada was a worthy winner,'' Medford said. ``Now it is up to Costa Rica to change things.''

Costa Rica can qualify for the second round June 17 and 18 by finishing in the top two of the group. The two highest third-place finishers in the tournament's three groups also will gain second-round berths.

Medford cited second-half defensive lapses as Costa Rica's downfall against Canada, which will play its second group match against Guadeloupe at 7 tonight.

''Up until the 70th minute, it was a very even match,'' Medford said. ``The final 20 minutes proved disastrous for us in the back. That is something that we need to sit down, discuss and correct.''

Veteran forward Rolando Fonseca, a member of Costa Rica's 2002 World Cup team, acknowledges the squad can't overlook its remaining opponents.

''Every team in our group has to be respected,'' Fonseca said. ``They all have possibilities of winning. You cannot take anyone lightly.''

Canada, meanwhile, can become the first team in the group to qualify for the second time with a victory against Guadeloupe.

''Beating Costa Rica helps us build our confidence for the next game,'' Canada forward Dwayne De Rosario said. ``You get a good start and it goes into the next game and the next game, so this win was very good for us.''

But Canada coach Stephen Hart said his squad can't dwell on the victory over Costa Rica because it has two group matches still remaining.

''We've done nothing; we beat a good team but that's all it is,'' Hart said. ``We have to maybe enjoy it just for [Wednesday] and then start regrouping and see how we are going to approach the next game.

``We are not thinking ahead of anything.''