Costa Rica - World Cup 2006 Team Profile

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Marc Fox reports...

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Road to Germany

Costa Rica's stuttering qualifying campaign was given an injection of self-belief when former coach Alexandre Guimaraes retook charge last March.

Guimaraes was invited to return to the national team hot seat after the goalless stalemate with Trinidad and Tobago - a match which left both managers out of a job. The Brazilian-born coach, who replaced Colombian Jorge Luis Pinto, immediately instilled a greater sense of togetherness.

The players responded, hitting form with four games remaining to achieve wins in Panama and over Trinidad and Tobago at home while Guatemala stumbled. They secured third-place and an automatic passage to Germany with a 3-0 win over the United States in their penultimate qualifier.

Analysis

Costa Rica's World Cup squad comprises wily customers at the international level. They will be quick to remind any pundits writing of their chances of repeating their second-round exit in 1990 of their performance four years ago when the Ticos finished third behind Brazil and Turkey on goal difference.

Around half of the travelling party will be drawn from CONCACAF champions Deportivo Saprissa and 2004-05 Costa Rican champions LD Alajuelense. However, coach Guimaraes can call upon a sprinkling of overseas-based squad members. Defenders Douglas Sequeira, Gilberto Martinez and Roy Miller play in the MLS, Serie B and Norway's top-flight respectively as well as journeyman midfielder Mauricio Solis who now plies his trade at Comunicaciones in Guatemala.

The entertaining Costa Ricans are certain to add colour and vibrancy to the occasion but can be susceptible at set-pieces and from wide areas. Goalkeeping also remains an unresolved issue. After recently preferring a 4-4-2, Guimaraes may opt for the additional security of a 3-5-2 formation and hope Wanchope can pull something out of the hat.

Key player

29-year-old beanpole striker Paulo Wanchope is not the country's most famous footballing export for nothing. Although he had English supporters scratching their heads during spells with Derby County, West Ham and Manchester City in the Premiership, Wanchope scored his 43rd senior international goal in the qualifying win over USA - a Costa Rican national record.

Notoriously inconsistent at domestic level in England, the striker headed to Malaga, then Al Gharafa in Qatar before returning home to play for Club Sport Herediano. Wanchope, who has announced he'll retire after the finals, will perhaps always be best remembered for his mazy run and goal against a stunned Manchester United on his Derby debut back in 1997.

One to watch: Alvaro Saborío

The nippy Deportivo Saprissa forward who scored twice on the way to a third-placed finish in December's World Club Championship in Japan.

Coach

After experiencing the World Cup knockout stage as a player in Italy 1990, Alexandre Guimaraes is intent on more of the same in Germany. Now in his second spell with the Ticos, the Brazilian-born coach who moved to Costa Rica when he was 11 kick-started the nation's qualifying campaign after a slow start.

Recognised as a strong motivator and disciplinarian, as well as a keen believer in team ethics, Guimaraes stirred up the passion last seen in 2002 qualifying. Four years ago, the coach led Costa Rica to the summit of the CONCACAF section ahead of regional heavyweights Mexico and the US.

Recent Previous tournaments

1994: Did not qualify
1998: Did not qualify
2002: First round

Soccerphile says …

If they can capitalise on Germany's opening night nerves, Costa Rica can match their 1990 forerunners, escape Group A and reach the knockout phase.

World Cup Squad

Bet on the World Cup

Goalkeepers Jose Francisco Porras (Saprissa), Alvaro Mesen (Herediano), Wardy Alfaro (Alajuelense).
Defenders Harold Wallace (Alajuelense), Jervis Drummond (Saprissa), Michael Umana (Brujas), Michael Rodriguez (Alajuelense), Luis Marin (Alajuelense), Gilberto Martinez (Brescia, Italy), Leonardo Gonzalez (Herediano) Gabriel Badilla (Saprissa).
Midfielders Randall Azofeifa (Saprissa), Carlos Hernandez (Alajuelense), Mauricio Solis (Comunicaciones, Guatemala), Douglas Sequeira (Real Salt Lake, USA), Danny Fonseca (Cartagines), Cristian Bolanos (Saprissa), Walter Centeno (Saprissa).
Forward: Victor Nunez (Cartagines), Ronald Gomez (Saprissa), Kurt Bernard (Puntarenas), Alvaro Saborio (Saprissa), Paulo Wanchope (unattached)

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