|
Costa
Rica Expects to Reach World Cup
Second Round
Costa Rica coach Alexandre
Guimaraes said he believes his
team would make into the second
round of the World Cup finals in
Germany.
"We have always said this to the
players that we expect this
World Cup to be better than the
last," Guimaraes was quoted as
saying.
"That means, at worst, we expect
to reach the second phase.
That is clear to everyone.
"People say it is easy. But it
is not. Only teams who have
traveled internationally have
the know-how to jump to that
level," added the Brazil-born
coach.
Costa Rica reached the second
round in the 1990 World Cup in
Italy when Serb Bora Milutinovic
was taking the reins. It was
narrowly eliminated in the first
phase on goal difference at the
2002 World Cup.
Costa Rica has been drawn in
Group A alongside host Germany,
Poland and Ecuador.
"What will get us a place is not
scoring most goals but letting
in the least. That will give you
a clue as to what one thinks
needs to be done versus our
rivals there," said Guimaraes.
Guimaraes tipped Brazil, England
and Germany the favorites to win
the World Cup.
Costa Rica will play Germany in
the opening game of the World
Cup on June 9 in Munich.
|
|
