Guimaraes - confident of progress (Allsport)
COSTA RICANS TO SOLVE CHINESE PUZZLE
Click here to place your World Cup bets!
Click here for Costa Rica team section
Click here for teams index
Click here for latest World Cup headlines
Click here for World Cup photo gallery
Click here for World Cup Bettingzone
Costa Rica coach Alexander Guimaraes believes
his side are as prepared as they can be for their opening World Cup match
against China in Gwangju on Tuesday.
With Group C rivals Brazil and Turkey both impressing in today's match in
Ulsan, the clash between Costa Rica and China is likely to be vital to both
countries hopes of sneaking one of the two qualifying spots.
The Costa Rica squad enjoyed some time at the Gwangju stadium on Monday afternoon
in preparation for the contest, and Guimaraes feels confident that his
troops are now ready for their tournament bow.
"Everything is perfect. The stadium is spectacular and the pitch is perfect.
There's no excuses," said the Brazilian-born coach.
"We're at 100% in our preparation. We've checked everything during the
weekend, and we're ready to face China.
"Of course, we are still to know how we will react when the match begins."
Guimaraes, who watched Brazil come from behind to beat Turkey 2-1, warned
against underestimating Group C minnows China though.
"I guess they will attack us. We're ready to face them, even knowing that
they will be quite physical.
"They have two strong and tall forwards, so we worked especially on that,
mostly for the free-kicks and corners."
|
