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Five reasons ‘underdogs’ Costa Rica have taken the World Cup by storm Five reasons ‘underdogs’ Costa Rica have taken the World Cup by storm
(about 1 hour later)
Well-balanced tactics 1 Well-balanced tactics
Jorge Luis Pinto’s 5-4-1 formation has frustrated both Uruguay and Italy, proving very difficult to unlock and also perfectly calibrated to harness the team’s pace on the counter, when the wing-backs, Cristian Gamboa and Júnior Díaz, and the more attack-minded central midfielder, Celso Borges, bomb forward. Costa Rica do not hog the ball – they have had significantly less than half of the possession so far – but they press with great energy. Their stamina has proved too much for their opponents. Uruguay were overrun in the second half while Italy punched themselves to a standstill. Remarkably, the statistics showed that Pinto’s team ran 12.7km more than Italy in the second half. Costa Rica’s neat and tidy passing has also caught the eye. Jorge Luis Pinto’s 5-4-1 formation has frustrated Uruguay and Italy, proving very difficult to unlock and also perfectly calibrated to harness the team’s pace on the counter, when the wing-backs, Cristian Gamboa and Júnior Díaz, and the more attack-minded central midfielder, Celso Borges, gallop forward. Costa Rica do not hog the ball – they have had significantly less than half of the possession so far – but they press with great energy. Their stamina has proved too much for their opponents. Uruguay were overrun in the second half while Italy punched themselves to a standstill. Remarkably, the statistics showed that Pinto’s team ran 12.7km more than Italy in the second half. Costa Rica’s neat and tidy passing has also caught the eye.
Bend it like Bolaños 2 Bend it like Bolaños
Costa Rica have a set-piece specialist in their ranks – the bandana-wearing, Copenhagen wide midfielder Christian Bolaños. He is blessed with a bag of tricks on the ball but it has been his deliveries from free-kicks and corners that have marked him out. They carry pace and precision, and have created a host of chances, especially against Uruguay, for the powerful centre-halves who come forward. Óscar Duarte and Giancarlo González are the ones to watch; Duarte scored the crucial second goal against Uruguay from a Bolaños free-kick.Costa Rica have a set-piece specialist in their ranks – the bandana-wearing, Copenhagen wide midfielder Christian Bolaños. He is blessed with a bag of tricks on the ball but it has been his deliveries from free-kicks and corners that have marked him out. They carry pace and precision, and have created a host of chances, especially against Uruguay, for the powerful centre-halves who come forward. Óscar Duarte and Giancarlo González are the ones to watch; Duarte scored the crucial second goal against Uruguay from a Bolaños free-kick.
The explosiveness of Campbell 3 Explosiveness of Campbell
Joel Campbell announced himself to the global audience with a virtuoso man-of-the-match performance against Uruguay, which highlighted his pace, composure in front of goal and ferocious shooting power. When the striker hits a ball, it stays hit. His goal against Uruguay, which followed a cool chest-down, fairly fizzed into the net. Campbell is not big but he can hold up the ball when it is played to his feet while his movement is smart and direct. He was harshly denied a penalty against Italy after tearing at Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. Signed three years ago by Arsenal and loaned out ever since, Campbell is determined to make the breakthrough at the London club this season. Joel Campbell announced himself to the global audience with a virtuoso man-of-the-match performance against Uruguay, which highlighted his pace, composure in front of goal and ferocious shooting power. When the striker hits a ball, it stays hit. His goal against Uruguay, which followed a cool chest-down, fairly fizzed into the net. Campbell is not big but he can hold up the ball when it is played to his feet while his movement is smart and direct. He was harshly denied a penalty against Italy after tearing at Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. Signed three years ago by Arsenal and loaned out ever since, Campbell is determined to make the breakthrough at the Emirates this season.
The assurance of Navas 4 The assurance of Navas
Everton head a queue of clubs that are keen to sign Keylor Navas and it is no surprise to see him in demand. The Levante goalkeeper has continued here where he left off at club level – he was, statistically, the best goalkeeper in La Liga this season. He owes much to the solidity of the defence in front of him – González, in particular, was outstanding against Italy – but when he has been called up, he has shown safe hands and tremendous agility. His save in the Uruguay game from Diego Forlán’s deflected shot, when he back-pedalled, sprang and clawed to safety, was a stand-out moment. He has only been beaten by Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani, and that was from the penalty spot. Everton head a queue of clubs keen to sign Keylor Navas and it is no surprise to see him in demand. The Levante goalkeeper has continued here where he left off at club level – he was, statistically, the best goalkeeper in La Liga last season. He owes much to the solidity of the defence in front of him – González, in particular, was outstanding against Italy – but when he has been called on, he has shown safe hands and tremendous agility. His save in the Uruguay game from Diego Forlán’s deflected shot, when he back-pedalled, sprang and clawed to safety, was a standout moment. He has only been beaten by Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani, and that was from a penalty.
The bite of the underdog 5 The bite of the underdog
Costa Rica have hardly needed any motivation. This, after all, is the World Cup, and the central Americans have only appeared at three in the past. But the manner in which they were written off beforehand has given them an extra edge. The desire to prove a few points and to make their names has been strong and, with most of the squad playing in Costa Rica, the United States or Scandinavia, they might also bring themselves to the attention of the bigger league clubs. “I know for sure that a few want to end up in the Premier League”, Paulo Wanchope, the assistant manager, said. Pinto and the Costa Rica Federation were unimpressed at the demand for seven of their players to take drug tests after the Italy game. Costa Rica have hardly needed any motivation. This, after all, is the World Cup, and the central Americans have only appeared at three in the past. But the manner in which they were written off beforehand has given them an extra edge. The desire to prove a few points and to make their names has been strong and, with most of the squad playing in Costa Rica, the United States or Scandinavia, they may also bring themselves to the attention of the bigger league clubs. “I know for sure that a few want to end up in the Premier League,” Paulo Wanchope, the assistant manager, said. Pinto and the Costa Rica Federation were unimpressed at the demand for seven of their players to take drug tests after the Italy game.