Costa Rica all set to choke their opponents this summer
As evident from the qualifying stage, one may say that the tactics employed by Costa Rica are sure to open up an argument on a couple of facets. Out of the three defenders, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Michael Umana and Johny Acosta, Gonzalez plays outside and the three are bordered by Gamboa to the left and on the right. Bryan Oviedo, in the meantime is carrying an injury from FA cup and is unlikely to participate. Given the short of backs 3s for England in the premier league, they are in for a bit of challenge against Costa Rica. The idea is to position players at the rear end of the wing backs, be it full backs or the midfielders. If Costa Rica manages to drop deep and play a back five, then England will need endurance and innovativeness to create spaces. That would mean interchange of midfielders with forward line to disturb the stamping structure.
Joel Campbell is the lone striker that Costa Rica has, but given his potential as a quick moving player and his ability to play across the forward line, he can pose awkward problems for the opponent. Bryan Ruiz takes charge of the right flank while Christian Bolanaos is the defender on the left. With 60 caps to his name at small age of 25, Celso Borges is the potential midfielder with a great gaming sense and practical ability.
Costa Rica was undoubtedly excellent at home in qualifying, having won 5 out of 5 in Hexagonal with Cubero and Borges pushing forwards to join Bolanos and Ruiz. Albeit, they tend to be more defensive away from home, the same can be expected from them in the FIFA 14 World Cup. Conceding only 7 goals in 10 qualifiers, this team looks like the one to choke Group D, if not qualify for further stage.
As per the market’s assumption, they are going to finish last in the Group but are less likely to concede many goals. The Under 2.5 goal market may surely be of value for the stake with their first game against Uruguay assumed to be to be 2-0 or 1-0 defeat. They may not incite an upset but are sure to be a gauche in this toughest group of the world Cup, including Italy, Uruguay and England.