Costa Rica (Ticos) in Brazil……..
No team will be happy to share a world cup group with 3 other former world cup winners, especially when this team has yet to win a knockout stage match in the Fifa World Cup.
Costa Rica is enters this world cup for the 4th time as a major under – dog. They are the second best team from the CONCACAF, according to their World Cup qualification group. A 5-3-2(W-D-L) record, they came up right under the Confederation leaders, United States. Costa Rica has been a dark horse in the CONCACAF. Even though they have not been able to secure another continental championship since their 3rd in 1989, they have been a major team in World Cup qualifiers.
The Venom
Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz will be one of the attacking forwards to notice on this team. He has spent a majority of his senior career in playing in the Dutch league. Ruiz has his moments around in and around the penalty box. A forward with a lot of potential that is yet to be met.
Alvaro Saborio
To sharpen up the front line of Costa Rica will be Alvaro Saborio. Sabario is enjoying his time in the MLS as part of the Real Salt Lake starting line-up. His work ethics and skill will give hope to fans of the Ticos, when they will be depending on counter attacks to salvage points.
The Control and Support
Outstanding players from the midfield will the youngster Joel Campbell, who is marked with a lot of potential. As traveling Arsenal F.C. player on loan, Campbell has been adding value to his worth with every futbol club destination. He is a young but developed striker, and time will only do him more favor. Campbell might play on the wing as a supporting striker, but with the teams they will be facing in their group, he will be doing some midfield work.
Joel Campbell
Christian Balanos will be pressing from the flanks as well, and from the center of the team, look out for Celso Borges to control the tempo.
The Bouncers
Defense work load for Costa Rica is expected to be high. They are in this group as the team to give up 3pts. A draw against the Ticos will not sit well with the other teams in the group. Collective defending is highly recommended. Players like Roy Miller,from the New York Redbulls will be there as specialist for this task. The is also the experience defender Michael Umaña and Johnny Acosta.
Roy Miller at NY Redbulls
So what is it for the Ticos? How will they fare in this tough group?
If there is any consolation, it will be that Costa Rica will not have to be playing with any kind of pressure from fans expectations. Causing an upset in this competition will be a major boost to the team’s image. Their chances on paper are quite slim, but futbol is not played on paper.
With good organization and hard-work, they can pose as threat to their giant team mates. This is futbol, there will be some drama, suspense and surprises. And that is why we will have to be watching to see if Costa Rica will make any of their advantage count.
