Costa Rica
2014
,
Brazil
,
Costa Rica
,
FIFA
,
Group D
,
World Cup
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Costa Rica - Group D (Uruguay, England, Italy)
One of the best movers in FIFA Rankings this year, Costa Rica is getting into their stride to compete in the toughest group of the World Cup. Supposedly the second least probable team to get into the Knockout stages, least being Australia, Costa Rica needs multiple upsets to just get out of the group
Profile - Champions of Central America
One of the most successful Central American nations, yet they had to wait wait till 1990 to participate in a World Cup tourney. They are also the third strongest team in the North American CONCACAF region
Costa Rica are a balanced side with a resilient defense and manageable strike force. But they tend to fire blanks more often than desired and they tend to lose their concentration in the final quarters of the matches susceptible to conceding late goals
Confederation: CONMEBOL (South America)
Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto (COL)
FIFA Ranking: 34 (8-May-2014)
Nickname: Ticos, La Sele
Key Players: Ruiz, Campbell, Navas
Legends: Wanchope, Centeno, Fonseca
History - Late Entry
Although their international footballing history stretches back to the early 20's, their World Cup debut didn't arrive before Italy 90. They made an impressive start by beating Sweden and Scotland to reach the knockout stages. They were eliminated by Czechoslovakia in the round of 16
Lack of planning and performance resulted in 94 and 98 qualifier failures. They qualified for the next two world cups but failed to overcome their groups
Costa Rica won North American Championship thrice and Central American Championship seven times. So impressive is their record in UNCAF Cup that they failed to reach the final only once
Qualification - Home Advantage
Getting into the final fourth round behind Mexico, from the third round of qualifiers, losing only to the leaders, Costa Rica established a distinctive home advantage by winning all the five home matches. The strong fourth round campaign, with just two away losses, enabled them to qualify for the World Cup in second place behind the United States
Prospects - Toughest Group
Costa Rica face three former World Champions in their Group D and is least likely to qualify from the group. Their best chance would be against Italy, which seems to be the only team vulnerable to Costa Rican style of play
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Daniel Cambronero (Herediano)
Defenders:
Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Junior Diaz (Mainz), Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls), Michael Umana (Deportivo Saprissa), David Myrie (Herediano)
Midfielders:
Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen), Diego Calvo (Valerenga), Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Yeltsin Tejeda (Deportivo Saprissa)
Forwards:
Celso Borges (AIK), Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Joel Campbell (Arsenal), Bryan Ruiz (Fulham), Marco Urena (Kuban Krasnodar)
June 11: Heiner Mora suffered a heel fracture and was ruled out of the World Cup
May 12: Jorge Luis Pinto announced a 30-man provisional squad for Costa Rica, which includes four reserves
May 12: Jorge Luis Pinto announced a 30-man provisional squad for Costa Rica, which includes four reserves
Fixtures
Costa Rica vs England on June 24 at Belo Horizonte
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