Costa Ricans planning more pain for England

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Costa Ricans planning more pain for England

Costa Rica assistant coach Paulo Wanchope believes his side need to continue the momentum of their stunning qualification for the last 16 of the World Cup when they face already eliminated England in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

Los Ticos have already stunned former winners Uruguay and Italy to be sure of their place in the next round with maximum points from two games.

However, Wanchope, who played in England for eight years with Derby Country, West Ham and Manchester City, wants to keep fostering a winning mentality to go into the last 16 full of confidence.

"We need to reaffirm what we have done until now in terms of our defensive work, ball possession and creating chances," said Wanchope, who played in two World Cup finals in 2002 and 2006 and scored in both.

"We need to continue doing that so we are mentally right to be able to give more."

Costa Rica need just a point to be sure of winning Group D and therefore avoid a likely last 16 meeting with a well-fancied Colombia side.

However, coach Jorge Luis Pinto, is expected to make a few changes to his side to keep a few key players fresh with at least one of dangerous strike pairing Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz set to be rested.

England boss Roy Hodgson is also expected to hand an opportunity to a number of his younger stars including Southampton's Luke Shaw and Everton's Ross Barkley.

Wanchope, though, is wary of an English side whose pride will have been affected by crashing out at the group stages for the first time in a World Cup since 1958.

"England have very good players and I know that pride will mean they won't want to leave with no points. They will come with everything," he added.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-24

[boomerangutang]

England still hog the topics' list, even when they're on the losing end of the stick.

[DLP]

Another use for the magic spray.