Two nations looking to return to form will do battle today in an international friendly between Costa Rica and Ireland. The Costa Rican World Cup tune-up scheduled for 8 p.m. ET will be held at PPL Park in Philadelphia and can be live streamed here free.
Despite being picked by many to be the door mats of Group D, Costa Rica head coach Jorge Luis Pinto reiterated that his side is not traveling to Brazil to for their own health. He expects his men, not just to participate, but to show well in the tournament.
"We came here with the intention to compete, not to participate. I want to win. I want my team to win and for the country to win," Pinto said (via Everardo Herrera). "You have to realize that football has its good things and its surprises, but we're going to give it our all."
"I have a clear plan, so we can execute our game plan and to dictate the tempo of the game," he added. "But the tactical shape that we want to use in the World Cup, we have it clear in our minds."
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Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Pinto's starting XI remains very much written in concrete. A lack of depth can create that circumstance. The one battle left to determine is the battle for the final center-back position in the team's 5-4-1 formation. In Monday's friendly with Japan, it was Roy Miller—a natural left-back—that got the start for Pinto. Out of position on several of Japan's chances, the 29-year-old left doubt in his abilities to maintain the structure of the 5-4-1. A more disciplined Oscar Duarte is projected to earn the start against Ireland. It will serve as his one opportunity to solidify a starting role in Brazil.
Costa Rica's Projected Lineup (5-3-2): Navas; Diaz, Duarte, Gonzalez, Umaña, Mora; Borges, Cubero, Ruiz; Ureña, Campbell
Ireland's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, Pearce, Ward; Hendrick, Meyler; McGeady, Quinn, McClean; Cox
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