Javier Astúa


Javier Astúa Araya is a retired Costa Rican footballer who played as a forward.

Club career

Born in Quepos, Astúa played several years for Municipal Puntarenas and played 2 matches for Mexican outfit Morelia in September 1992. He had a frustrating 4-month stint at Chilean side Palestino, before returning to Costa Rica where he joined Alajuelense. He later played for San Carlos, who released him in November 1995 after an injury-hit spell. In March 2006, he was released by Herediano. He finished his career at Carmelita before more injury cut short his career.
He was twice the Costa Rica Premier Division top goalscorer, in 1992 and 1994.

International career

He made his debut for Costa Rica in an April 1992 friendly match against El Salvador and earned a total of 13 caps, scoring 7 goals. He has represented his country in 4 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and played at the 1993 UNCAF Nations Cup.
He played his final international game in January 1994 against Norway.

International goals

DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.23 August 1992Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica5–05–11994 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.5 December 1992Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino, Tegucigalpa, Honduras1–21–21994 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.13 December 1992Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica1–05–01994 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.13 December 1992Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica3–05–01994 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.13 December 1992Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica4–05–01994 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.16 February 1993Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica1–06–01993 UNCAF Nations Cup qualification
7.16 February 1993Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica3–06–01993 UNCAF Nations Cup qualification

Personal life

Astúa is married and has a daughter and a son. He was manager of Third Division side Jicaral in 2013.