Costa Ricans Hold Heads High Before Encounter With Ecuador
June 15, 2006
"We left with our heads held high after the German game and we always expect to score goals," Paulo Wanchope, Costa Rica's star striker told reporters after his team was defeated 4-2 by Germany in the World Cup opener on June 9.
Costa Rica, at No. 26 in FIFA's world rating, are optimistic before going into game two against Ecuador. The red-jerseyed Ecuadorians pounded Poland 2-0 on Friday.
Costa Rica's hope
"Our hopes are still very high that the team is going to get better and will keep our chances alive," Costa Rica's coach Alexander Guimaraes told reporters.
Striker Wanchope may be the one to make those hopes come true. The 29-year-old is his country's all-time highest scorer and was behind the only two goals Germany gave up on Friday. He formerly played for three English soccer clubs -- Derby, West Ham and Manchester City.
In spite of the last defeat, Costa Rica isn't planning any major tactical changes, though there will be a player change or two. Defender Gilberto Martinez will be replaced by Jervis Drummond due to a knee injury that has brought his World Cup to an end already.
Five first-round goals
Ecuador, ranked at No. 39 by FIFA, will be putting on the pressure in the wings Thursday and making every effort to keep Wanchope from getting into striking range. The player to watch on the Ecuadorian side will be defender Ivan Hurtado, who holds the South American record for playing in World Cup qualifying matches with 57 appearances. He is known for having a knack for timing and positioning.
Armando Osma, Ecuador's assistant trainer, had promised five goals from his team in the first round.
"We made two against Poland, two against Costa Rica would be nice," he said. "Then we'd only need one more against Germany."
Osma's team plays Germany on June 20.
A win for Ecuador in Thursday's game, held at 1 p.m. UTC in Hamburg, would seal Costa Rica's fate for their third World Cup. But if Costa Rica comes out on top, the suspense will continue for both teams.