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The 2014 quarter-finalists have a behavior of punching above their weight at World Cups.
World Cup appearances: 5
Titles: 0
Greatest end: Quarter-finals (2014)
Largest win: 3-1 vs Uruguay (2014)
Most appearances: Celso Borges (154)
Fixtures: Spain (November 23), Japan (November 27), Germany (December 1)
Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez
Key participant: Bryan Ruiz
Costa Rica grew to become the thirty second and remaining crew to qualify for World Cup 2022 after they beat New Zealand 1-0 within the intercontinental playoff in June.
Though “Los Ticos” left it until the final qualification match to ebook their place at Qatar 2022, they’ve had a formidable run on the event since making their debut in 1990.
The Central American crew’s finest end got here in 2014, after they reached the quarter-finals the place they had been knocked out in penalties by the Netherlands. It introduced an finish to a wonderful run that started with a 3-1 win over Uruguay, adopted by a shock 1-0 win over former champions Italy and a goalless draw in opposition to England.
They topped their group and went on to beat Greece within the spherical of 16 on penalties.
That efficiency turned the luck of the squad as among the gamers had been snapped up by among the largest golf equipment in world soccer.
Of their debut on the World Cup 1990, Costa Rica received two out of three group matches, together with a 2-1 win over Sweden, to progress. They did not go previous the group stage in 2002 and 2006, and missed out on qualifying for the 2010 version.
The final World Cup noticed them earn a solitary level by way of a draw in opposition to Switzerland.
Within the run-up to this World Cup, Costa Rica received simply one among their first seven qualifiers however turned their fortunes round by successful six of their final seven and incomes a playoff spot. Celso Borges, Bryan Ruiz, Joel Campbell and Keylor Navas introduced all their expertise into play because the crew managed to squeeze out beneficial outcomes when it mattered.
Costa Rica are managed by Luis Fernando Suarez, who isn’t any stranger to the World Cup. Suarez has managed Ecuador and Honduras on the event, and needs to go one higher in Qatar.
“My third World Cup is an obsession for me,” he mentioned within the lead-up to the playoff tie.
“The principle factor is to have the ability to select people who find themselves not simply gamers however who’re suited to being within the nationwide crew, who’re good for it.”
The 62-year-old is more likely to have quite a few veterans within the squad when he places out his taking part in 11 on November 23.
Joel Campbell, a ahead with 118 video games and 25 targets to his title, is more likely to lead the assault together with 22-year-old rising star Anthony Contreras. Captain Bryan Ruiz and Los Ticos’ most capped participant Celso Borges will run the present from the midfield.
Costa Rica boast a robust defence with the likes of Juan Pablo Vargas and Oscar Duarte. Keylor Navas was essential in guaranteeing his facet’s qualification for the event when he saved New Zealand at bay in the course of the playoff.
Regardless of a historical past of inflicting upsets, Los Ticos could discover it tough to make it previous the group stage. They’re positioned in Group E, the so-called group of dying, together with former champions Spain and Germany and Asian powerhouse Japan.
Regardless of a good run of ends in their previous couple of aggressive video games, the Central People could have the chances stacked closely in opposition to them.
A shock win or a few attracts in opposition to their much-fancied opponents would make for a formidable run in Qatar.
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