Javier Astúa

Antonio Javier Astúa Araya was a Costa Rican professional footballer who played as a forward.

Club career

Born in Quepos, Astúa played several years for Municipal Puntarenas and played two matches for Mexican outfit Morelia in September 1992. He had a frustrating four-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.

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

Astúa was married and had a daughter and a son, who was manager of Third Division side Jicaral in 2013. He died on 4 January 2022, at the age of 53.

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	23 August 1992	Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica		5–0	5–1	1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
2	5 December 1992	Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino, Tegucigalpa, Honduras		1–2	1–2	1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
3	13 December 1992	Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica		1–0	5–0	1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
4	13 December 1992	Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica		3–0	5–0	1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
5	13 December 1992	Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica		4–0	5–0	1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
6	16 February 1993	Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica		1–0	6–0	1993 UNCAF Nations Cup qualification
7	16 February 1993	Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica		3–0	6–0	1993 UNCAF Nations Cup qualification