A second-string Super Eagles team battled valiantly but fell short in a 2-0 international friendly loss to Costa Rica on Thursday morning at the National Stadium in San Jose.

Seven minutes into the game, seasoned defender Oscar Duarte headed in a goal.

The Super Eagles defenders were keeping an eye on the ball when the goal was scored from a long-range free-kick.

The Super Eagles competed despite conceding so early in the match, with Water FC right-back Dominion Ohaka troubling the Costa Rican defense.

Ohaka, who caught the eye, was very comfortable on the ball going forward and produced some decent crosses.

The strikers, however, did not have the confidence to really trouble the Costa Rica defense.

Second-half substitute Sunday Faleye also showed glimpses of the player who shone for Nigeria at the 2018 African Nations Championship in Morocco.

Centre-back Ejeh Isaiah was lucky not to be sent off for a rugby-like tackle in the second half.

Kendal Watson scored the second goal for Costa Rica 17 minutes from time.

The Super Eagles will now shift attention to their next friendly against Portugal in Lisbon on November 17.