Costa Rica hoping to make history against unpredictable Greece

Photo: Joel Campbell celebrates scoring with his teammates

There have been many surprises at the 2014 World Cup so far and none bigger than CONCACAF outfit Costa Rica defying all the odds to secure top spot in Group D ahead of Uruguay sending home England and Italy. The next hurdle in their way comes in the form of a stubborn Greece team. No matter the outcome of this fixture, history will be made because neither country has ever reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The Costa Ricans will start as slight favourites after some excellent displays from the Central Americans. They have conceded just once in their three outings against some of the best attackers playing in world football. La Sele has looked very sharp and disciplined, transitioning from defense to attack quickly using the pace of Joel Campbell to good effect. They play an exciting brand of football and have shown that they do possess genuine quality in their ranks.

The Greeks are perhaps the surprise package from Group C. They conceded four times and scored twice but still find themselves in the knock-out stages thanks to a last minute victory over Cote d’Ivoire. They Ivorians had one foot in the knock-out stages only to give away a last minute penalty which Giorgos Samaras converted to seal victory and a place in the last 16. The Piratikos are very unpredictable but if they turn up with the right attitude and appetite they could cause problems for the opposition.

Fernando Santos should keep Orestis Karnezis in goal with Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Kostas Manolas in central defense. Jose Holebas and Vasilis Torosidis have played well in the full back positions and should keep their places. Giorgos Karagounis should be present in midfield to add calmness and composure with the grit and toughness of Giannis Maniatis.

Giorgos Samaras, Panagiotis Kone and Lazarus Christodoulopoulos should provide the creativity for the Greeks while Dimitris Salpingidis while try to fight off Kostas Mitroglou for a place upfront in the first 11.

Costa Rica will have the insurance of the reliable Keylor Navas between the stick with the defense being marshaled by Michael Umana and Oscar Duarte. Junior Diaz will continue at left back while on the other side the energetic Cristian Gamboa will hope to continue his fine form in the tournament so far.

Jorge Luis Pinto should retain Yeltsin Tejeda in midfield alongside the impressive Celso Borges who has been in scintillating form for La Sele. Christian Bolanos and skipper Bryan Ruiz will provide support for their attacking wizard, Joel Campbell, who has shown that he was made for the big stage.

History beckons for both countries but on the day this tie can be decided by a moment of magic, a mistake or simply who wants it more. Costa Rica may be slight favourites and they could continue their fairytale using the conditions to their advantage. The Europeans have struggled in South America over the years so La Sele will hope that trend continues when they take on the Greeks.

Players to Watch

Costa Rica – Joel Campbell, Bryan Ruiz, Celso Borges

Greece – Giorgos Samaras, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Giorgos Karagounis