This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/08/gold-cup-costa-rica-concacaf

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Gold Cup 2015: Confident Costa Rica aim to break USA-Mexico duopoly Gold Cup 2015: Confident Costa Rica aim to break USA-Mexico duopoly
(1 day later)
Even the most optimistic of Costa Rican supporters must have felt a shudder of fear as Los Ticos prepared for their foray into the ‘group of death’ at last summer’s World Cup. Locked in with former world champions England, Uruguay, and Italy, the minnows from Central America looked like easy prey. What unfolded, however, was a story that deviated from the script as the tiny nation of 4.5 million people moved from strength to strength, not only going undefeated and winning their group, but making it to the quarter-finals, where they held Holland at bay for two hours before succumbing in the penalty shootout.Even the most optimistic of Costa Rican supporters must have felt a shudder of fear as Los Ticos prepared for their foray into the ‘group of death’ at last summer’s World Cup. Locked in with former world champions England, Uruguay, and Italy, the minnows from Central America looked like easy prey. What unfolded, however, was a story that deviated from the script as the tiny nation of 4.5 million people moved from strength to strength, not only going undefeated and winning their group, but making it to the quarter-finals, where they held Holland at bay for two hours before succumbing in the penalty shootout.
Pura Vida! That was the battling cry last summer, and everything about Los Ticos from the way they approached their opponents, to their temperament on and off the pitch, represented that slogan and made them the toast of Brazil. Their ability to stack against the world’s best was further proof that Concacaf is becoming a stronger confederation by the year, not merely a plaything for the USA and Mexico.Pura Vida! That was the battling cry last summer, and everything about Los Ticos from the way they approached their opponents, to their temperament on and off the pitch, represented that slogan and made them the toast of Brazil. Their ability to stack against the world’s best was further proof that Concacaf is becoming a stronger confederation by the year, not merely a plaything for the USA and Mexico.
But while the bright lights of the World Cup have dimmed, expectations are high, as a confident Costa Rica attempt to break the USA-Mexico duopoly in the regional Gold Cup slated to start July 7.But while the bright lights of the World Cup have dimmed, expectations are high, as a confident Costa Rica attempt to break the USA-Mexico duopoly in the regional Gold Cup slated to start July 7.
Last summer Costa Rica were led by veteran coach Jose Luis Pinto, a studious counter-attacking mastermind who focused heavily on preparation, the effects of which were evident on the pitch. Pinto, however, left his post, taking the reins at Honduras last December and making way for Paulo Wanchope, his assistant at the World Cup and a legendary striker for the national team.Last summer Costa Rica were led by veteran coach Jose Luis Pinto, a studious counter-attacking mastermind who focused heavily on preparation, the effects of which were evident on the pitch. Pinto, however, left his post, taking the reins at Honduras last December and making way for Paulo Wanchope, his assistant at the World Cup and a legendary striker for the national team.
The inexperienced Wanchope has had some torrid luck thus far, however, failing to secure victory in any of his five games in charge. Thus, he’ll be entering this tournament having never led Costa Rica to a victory as head coach. His biggest challenge will be overcoming a series of untimely injuries to key players.The inexperienced Wanchope has had some torrid luck thus far, however, failing to secure victory in any of his five games in charge. Thus, he’ll be entering this tournament having never led Costa Rica to a victory as head coach. His biggest challenge will be overcoming a series of untimely injuries to key players.
Keylor Navas, their feline-quick shot stopper and one of those breakout stars from last summer, will be sorely missed. The Real Madrid keeper was injured in the weeks before the tournament and will require extensive rehab ahead of the next club season. Others such as Everton’s Bryan Oviedo and Oscar Duarte, who plays with Club Brugge in Belgium, will be missing as well.Keylor Navas, their feline-quick shot stopper and one of those breakout stars from last summer, will be sorely missed. The Real Madrid keeper was injured in the weeks before the tournament and will require extensive rehab ahead of the next club season. Others such as Everton’s Bryan Oviedo and Oscar Duarte, who plays with Club Brugge in Belgium, will be missing as well.
Immediately after the World Cup Costa Rica’s impressive form continued as they won the 2014 Copa CentroAmericana, a little known seven-team tournament consisting of entirely of the Central American nations. Still, it was impressive considering that, with most of the squad abroad, the team was largely comprised of local players.Immediately after the World Cup Costa Rica’s impressive form continued as they won the 2014 Copa CentroAmericana, a little known seven-team tournament consisting of entirely of the Central American nations. Still, it was impressive considering that, with most of the squad abroad, the team was largely comprised of local players.
In fact, their form would continue for the rest of the year, as Costa Rica remained undefeated, even etching out a 7-6 penalty shootout win over rivals Uruguay in Montevideo after a thrilling 3-3 draw.In fact, their form would continue for the rest of the year, as Costa Rica remained undefeated, even etching out a 7-6 penalty shootout win over rivals Uruguay in Montevideo after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
At the turn of the year, with the Gold Cup on the horizon, Wanchope began to experiment. Costa Rica’s form would dip with three consecutive losses to Panama, Colombia and Spain. However, against La Roja, Costa Ricareminded the European giants they can hold their own against top competition. At the turn of the year, with the Gold Cup on the horizon, Wanchope began to experiment. Costa Rica’s form would dip with three consecutive losses to Panama, Colombia and Spain. However, against La Roja, Costa Rica reminded the European giants they can hold their own against top competition.
The glaring problems for Costa Rica seem to be at the back. With the absences of Duarte, Oviedo and defensive midfielder Yeltsin Tejeda, Costa Rica’s once airtight defense is no more. Last summer Los Ticos stifled opponents, only conceding two goals in five games at the World Cup – one a penalty, the other an injury-time goal against Holland. But if we’re judging by recently friendlies. what was once a strength may now be a liability.The glaring problems for Costa Rica seem to be at the back. With the absences of Duarte, Oviedo and defensive midfielder Yeltsin Tejeda, Costa Rica’s once airtight defense is no more. Last summer Los Ticos stifled opponents, only conceding two goals in five games at the World Cup – one a penalty, the other an injury-time goal against Holland. But if we’re judging by recently friendlies. what was once a strength may now be a liability.
Wanchope’s insistence on play the less-than-mobile Roy Miller of the New York Red Bulls on the left side of a four man defense is debatable at best. In recent friendlies, Spain (2-1) and Mexico (2-2) were able to pick apart their defense, focusing on that left side. Against Mexico in particular, an attacking flurry 10 minutes into the start of the second half became their undoing. Wanchope has switched to a five-man backline on occasion and he’s seen some success, yet he’s still been reluctant to start games in such a conservative fashion.Wanchope’s insistence on play the less-than-mobile Roy Miller of the New York Red Bulls on the left side of a four man defense is debatable at best. In recent friendlies, Spain (2-1) and Mexico (2-2) were able to pick apart their defense, focusing on that left side. Against Mexico in particular, an attacking flurry 10 minutes into the start of the second half became their undoing. Wanchope has switched to a five-man backline on occasion and he’s seen some success, yet he’s still been reluctant to start games in such a conservative fashion.
Can Costa Rica cope with their injuries? The jury is still out. Los Ticos will be heading into the tournament without a win in 2015, but with a fairly simple group of Canada, El Salvador and Jamaica, entry into the knockout phases is expected. However, despite the talent at their disposal, Costa Rica have been inconsistent in recent Gold Cup history, having failed to progress past the quarter-final stage in four of the last five editions.Can Costa Rica cope with their injuries? The jury is still out. Los Ticos will be heading into the tournament without a win in 2015, but with a fairly simple group of Canada, El Salvador and Jamaica, entry into the knockout phases is expected. However, despite the talent at their disposal, Costa Rica have been inconsistent in recent Gold Cup history, having failed to progress past the quarter-final stage in four of the last five editions.
What awaits, as Costa Rica inevitably stare down the prospect of a semi-final clash against USA or Mexico, is a thorough examination of their defense. If Wanchope can organize his backline, then the likes of Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell will be free to wreak havoc up front. If not, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine Costa Rica not being exposed in the later stages.What awaits, as Costa Rica inevitably stare down the prospect of a semi-final clash against USA or Mexico, is a thorough examination of their defense. If Wanchope can organize his backline, then the likes of Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell will be free to wreak havoc up front. If not, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine Costa Rica not being exposed in the later stages.