Solis - relishing the prospect of Brazil game (Allsport)
COSTA RICANS TAKE SOLIS IN VICTORY
By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Gwangju
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One-time Derby County failure Mauricio Solis
must be the only person at this World Cup not frightened to death by Brazil.
The 30-year-old midfielder, the makeweight who didn't make the grade in the
deal that brought Paulo Wanchope to England and Derby, helped Costa Rica to a
2-0 win over China.
However, waiting to stand them in the firing line soon are the awesome
Brazilians.
And there's also the little matter of an annoyed, wounded Turkey next up for
Costa Rica on Sunday in Incheon.
It doesn't get any easier for Alexandre Guimaraes's side.
Solis, who now plays his club football for Alajuelense back home, sat and
watched the wonders of Brazil when they beat Turkey earlier in the week and
refused to shudder.
They just went out and all but ended China's dreams of long-term involvement
here.
He said: "I watched Brazil with my team-mates and we were not frightened by
what we saw.
"Of course they have great players, but we will need no motivation to face
them.
"In fact we are confident enough to believe we can take points from both
Turkey and Brazil and qualify."
Now you may think Solis is living on a different planet to the rest of us, but
he had support from a colleague - the influential second half substitute Hernan
Medford - who said: "Yes we can beat Turkey, and we can do the same to Brazil.
We can certainly take points from them both.
"We know what is coming is more difficult. We know the quality of the two
teams we still have to play, but we have got to continue in the same way we
played to beat China."
And Solis hadn't finished with his put-down of the Brazilians. He added:
"Maybe these days Brazil are not so good, but we know they always have Rivaldo
and Ronaldo upfront to save them.
"They do something different and are great, great players. But we must keep
our spirit and confidence.
"I feel Turkey are also a strong team, a team that fights hard. But we can
get more points in this group if we maintain our concentration at all times."
Guimaraes was equally confident, but more restrained in his views on the
future. He said: "If we keep playing like this we will continue to gain respect
from bigger nations and we will grow as a team."
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