Costa Rica Can Cause Surprise, Warns Gomez
Costa Rica heads to Germany for their third FIFA World Cup finals appearance facing another daunting first-round prospect. While in 1990 and 2002 they faced the powerful Brazilians in the group stage, this time it is host nation Germany who should provide the toughest test for the Ticos in a section that also includes Poland and Ecuador.

The eyes of the world will be focused on Costa Rica on 9 June when Alexandre Guimaraes's men will have the honour of contesting the opening match of the 2006 finals against Germany at the FIFA World Cup Stadium Munich. FIFAworldcup.com, striker Ronald Gomez explained just what an "honour" this will be.

"It's great to be kicking off a World Cup," said Gomez. "At the end of the day, the first and last games are the ones that most people see. This honour should motivate us even more as we face up to the challenge of this group."

Gomez is one of Costa Rica's most experienced and well-travelled stars, having plied his trade in countries as diverse as Spain, Guatemala, Greece, Kuwait and Mexico. The globetrotting forward is a finisher capable of turning a game with his searing pace and fearsome left foot. He is also something of a set-piece specialist and has proved himself flexible enough to play as a traditional number ten, operating in the hole just behind the strikers.

The Deportivo Saprissa player was on duty at the FIFA Club World Championship TOYOTA Cup Japan 2005 when he first heard the result of the Final Draw. "I think that it's a difficult group with a lot of quality," he said. "We know Ecuador well, but I can't say the same about Poland. It's always difficult taking on the hosts in the opening game, but we'll try and take advantage of the added pressure they'll be under, given that they are expected to win the first match in front of their own fans."