Diego in New Zealand: “People here don’t go out for sports”

Louise Corrales, 22, of Wellington, New Zealand, and Josephino, 39, say the atmosphere there before the playoffs against Costa Rica was cooler and very different from Diccia.

Corrales came to play football at the age of 18 and was on several teams in the first division, he also played in two club world championships and made a living there. He is married to a New Zealander and has a son and two dogs from both countries.

La Teja contacted him to see how the game against Diego would feel, in fact, it was a very different situation, starting with the time, in Costa Rica it would be 6pm (lunch) in New Zealand. Morning, Wednesday June 15.

– Where do you come from in Costa Rica?

I’m from San Francisco de Dos Rios and now live in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand because of the church.

– How long have you been there, and what is it?

It’s been 18 years since I came to play football in February, I was with Stop Out and then played with Auckland City in the National League with Wellington, going to two consecutive Club World Cups in 2011 and 2012. .

– What are you doing now?

I have a plan to take them to nurseries and sports and motion schools, and we help children. I also have a football school and am the head coach of two football academies in academic private schools.

[ Un neozelandés cruza los dedos para que Costa Rica clasifique al Mundial ]

– Who do you live with there?

With my wife, my son, Geo and two dogs. She is from New Zealand. He is nine years old and loves football, he was born here, but he can choose whether to play for Costa Rica or New Zealand if given the chance. His dream is to play professionally and join Cel de Costa Rica.

– What is the context of the competition?

The truth is, they live differently from what Latinos live for, which is still a game, people will never go out of their way, they announce in the news that New Zealand will be a tough competitor. Of course, in everything like the football community I am involved in, people are waiting for more excitement and competition to come. At six o’clock they would meet to watch the game, I had received invitations, but it was not like seeing people on the streets, not even cars with flags, not ecstatic.

– Even at 6am, are there places you can go to watch the game?

There are more places ready to play the game than breakfast with a beer, and it’s Wednesday here. You watch the game, everyone works because people have priorities and football has no priorities.

[ Futbolista de Nueva Zelanda que jugó con Santos da pistas de cómo será el repechaje ]

– Are they showing on national television?

Yes, the preview airs from 5 p.m.

– Are there sports shows that talk about competition, news, newspapers?

What is international, Rafael Nadal won, and this and that are briefly sent in the news. Football game plans, there are no, no. Summaries are made on Mondays and football and players are discussed.

– Is there any expectation?

Football is not the number one sport in New Zealand, it has been growing in recent years, but you have to start from the fact that people are divided over other sports, especially hockey and cricket.

A group of Dicos in Wellington meet at a bar and go for breakfast. I can’t go, I have to look after the house and go to work.

– What do they say about the widespread international press support for Costa Rica?

Football people have expectations of what New Zealand is doing, which has taken them by surprise, and although they know it will be difficult, they see Costa Rica as more accessible than previous playoffs against South American rivals. In some interviews with coach Danny Hay, he said that Costa Rica did not play well, they closed the tie well and worked well, but did not show attractive football. You will be confident in doing something. In addition, he thinks a ninety-minute game is more possible than a two-way series.