New Coach Aims to Win World Cup
Hernan Medford, one of the most famous players in Costa Rican history, took over as national team coach on Tuesday and said his target was to win the World Cup.

"You have to aim high if you want to fly high," Medford told reporters. "You have to put out positive vibes."

Costa Rica have played at three World Cups but have never got past the second round.

The 38-year-old, who played at the 1990 World Cup and was also in Costa Rica's squad in 2002, replaces Alexandre Guimaraes, who resigned after the Central Americans lost all three group games at this year's tournament in Germany.

Medford blamed poor local stadiums and pitches for hindering Costa Rica's progress and said he would press clubs to invest more in infrastructure.

"If we had the same environment and stadiums that they have in Mexico, we would be challenging the best," he said. "You can't play good soccer on poor pitches."

But he acknowledged that it would be hard work. "We have many economic limitations," he said.

Medford added that age would not influence his team selections.
"On my national team there will be no differentiation by age. If you're 15 or 85 and you can play, you're going to play," he said.
Costa Rica's all-time leading scorer Paulo Wanchope announced his international retirement after the World Cup, even though he is only 30.

Medford's first hurdle is the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifying tournament in El Salvador in February.

Medford's only previous coaching job has been with local side Saprissa, where he has enjoyed considerable success since taking over in 2003.

His team won the 2003-04 and 2005-06 Costa Rican titles and the 2005 CONCACAF Champions Cup by beating Mexico's UNAM in the two-legged final.

That victory earned the so-called Purple Monster a place in the World Club championship in Japan the same year.

"The players were the ones who put out the effort and made it possible for me to be appointed," said Medford.

As a player, Medford won 89 caps and scored 18 goals including two of the most important in Costa Rican history.

He hit the winner when they beat Sweden 2-1 to progress to the second round of the 1990 World Cup.

He also scored the decisive goal when the Ticos beat Mexico 2-1 in 2001, becoming the first and only side to defeat the Mexicans in a World Cup qualifier at the Azteca stadium.

Medford retired after playing for clubs in Mexico, Spain, Italy, Austria and the former Yugoslavia.