Soccer: Costa Rica need point from Brazil

SUWON - Outsiders Costa Rica need a point against Brazil tonight to make the second round, but they are not expecting any favours even though the four-times champions have already qualified.

Although Rio de Janeiro and San Jose are further apart than London and Tehran, the fact that both teams are Latin American has meant that they have already had to field questions about whether Brazil will try their hardest.

Turkey, who need Costa Rica to lose to have any chance of qualifying, have complained about just about anything since arriving in South Korea and will almost certainly point fingers of suspicion if the Central Americans snatch a surprise point.

To add to the intrigue, Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes was born in Brazil.

But both Brazil and Costa Rica are adamant that the game will be as competitive as any at the tournament so far.

"I would say to them [Turkey] that if they are doubting Brazil, they should not because here we are serious professionals and we really want to qualify in first place," said central defender Roque Junior.

Midfielder Ricardinho added: "We have a great responsibility for our people and for the Brazilian journalists who are here, and above all, we have a great responsibility for our own work and our profession."

Guimaraes, who played as a substitute when the two teams met at the 1990 World Cup in a game which Brazil won 1-0, said: "The fact that they have already qualified might mean we have more of a chance." Guimaraes became a Costa Rican citizen in 1984.

"But any suggestion that they will not try to win is ridiculous. There is no chance at all that they will do something like that, absolutely none."

The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 5-0 win for Brazil at the Copa America five years ago, but the gap has closed dramatically since then.

Costa Rica reached the quarter-finals of last year's Copa America and qualified for the cup finals with two matches to spare, their results including a historic 2-1 win away to Mexico.

Costa Rica, with their neat passing and crafty dribbling, have remained faithful to the Latin American style of play.

They could have already made sure of their place but poor finishing has left them in a delicate situation.

The Ticos missed a flurry of late chances in their opening 2-0 win over China and a similar failing against Turkey meant they had to be grateful to scramble a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw, when they should have run out comfortable winners.

Brazil are expected to make three changes to the team which hammered China 4-0.

Left-back Roberto Carlos will be rested with a calf muscle problem.

He will be replaced by Junior. Striker Ronaldinho and Roque Junior, who both have one yellow card, will be rested and replaced by Edilson and Edmilson respectively.

- REUTERS

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

Groups and team lists
Stars
Schedule
Points tables
Previous winners and key statistics

Interactive graphics:
Groups and team profiles