COSTA RICA
Costa Rica have been one of the teams that have evolved post-1990s — proved by the fact that they have made four World Cup appearances since then.
Appearances: 4 Best finish: Quarter-finals in 2014 Manager: Oscar Ramirez Star player: Bryan Ruiz
Costa Rica will be one of the teams to watch this time following the huge impact they had in Brazil four years back. Playing for the fourth time in the competition, Costa Rica were one of three unbeaten teams (before penalties) at the 2014 Fifa World Cup — along with Germany and the Netherlands — who beat Costa Rica on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Going into the competition, no one had given Costa Rica a chance when drawing Uruguay, Italy and England in 2014’s ‘Group of Death’. However, victories over Uruguay and Italy, followed by a 0-0 draw with England, saw them top the group against all odds and make people take notice of coach Oscar Ramirez’s men.
The star man will once again be Bryan Ruiz — now in the 100-cap club — as the Sporting winger looks to lead Costa Rica out once more in Russia after having netted twice during the 2014 World Cup. This time too Costa Rica have been heavily reliant on teamwork after finishing second behind Mexico in the North, Central America and Caribbean standings.
Costa Rica have been one of the teams that have evolved post-1990s — proved by the fact that they have made four World Cup appearances since then. Their best performance came in Brazil four years back where they managed to reach the quarter-finals before that tiebreaker loss to The Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
In Marco Urena, Costa Rica have a lethal striker. The 28-yearold forward, who recently moved to Los Angeles FC, scored three goals during qualification, and was on target in his country’s 3-1 win over Uruguay in 2014.
Costa Rica begin their campaign against Serbia on June 17 followed by their second match against the mighty Brazil on June 22 and then their last one against Switzerland on June 17.
But prior to that, in the first friendly hosts Costa Rica blanked Northern Ireland 3-0 at the Estadio Nacional on June 3. They play their second one against England at Elland Road in Yorkshire today and a last one against Belgium on Monday.