Fifa 2014 World Cup Group D: Costa Rica vs England preview
- adamhigginsuk
- Jun 24, 2014
- 5 min read
ENGLAND will be hoping to end a disappointing Fifa World Cup campaign on a winning note when they bow out against Costa Rica in their final Group D match.
The Three Lions were optimistic that they could exceed expectations and progress far in Brazil but defeats against Italy and Uruguay have ensured they will make an early exit from the tournament.
It is the first time since 1958 that England have failed to reach the knockout stages for a World Cup but they have never failed to pick up a single point in a group campaign.
And Costa Rica, who have already qualified after two wins from two, will aim to heap more misery on Roy Hodgson’s side in the first ever meeting between the two nations in Belo Horizonte.
Hodgson has received the backing of the Football Association, who say he will stay on until at least after Euro 2016 in France, but another defeat to the Central Americans at the Estadio Mineirao will lead to more speculation about whether he is the right man to take the nation forward.
The Three Lions boss has confirmed nine changes to the team sunk by Uruguay in Sao Paolo as a plethora of young players are handed a chance to shine on the biggest of stages.
“I’m looking for them to show their talent,” Hodgson affirmed. “This is a chance for them to show they are good players. They have an opportunity to play from the start with other players around them.
“They can show the faith and hope we have that those boys are ready to make their mark. This could be the first moment they give us an inkling that we are on the right track.
“I’m handing them an opportunity to go out on a fantastic stage and show they’re not only players of potential, but they are ready to play on this stage now and won’t let the team down.”
Southampton captain Adam Lallana, who is in line for his first World Cup start, says he is hoping to make an impact as England look to take some solace from the chastening experience in Brazil.
"It would have been nice to set up a goal or change the game. But I’m looking forward to [Costa Rica] to hopefully get some experience and play well," the 26-year-old said.
"It was a lot of the lads’ first World Cups, their first taste of this experience, international football, the climates, being away from home, so there are positives to take. But once we get home, hopefully after a win, we’ll sit down and be able to analyse it a bit more thoroughly."
Surprise package Costa Rica have succeeded where England have failed by beating Uruguay and Italy to seal a last 16 place for the first time since 1990.
The Ticos, seeking to extend their World Cup winning streak to four matches, need a solitary point to ensure they top the group.
Assistant coach Paulo Wanchope says the team are determined to claim another famous scalp in the 1966 world champions.
“The players want to impress the world by getting three points against a team like England,” he said.
“I know for sure the players want to do well and end up in the Premier League. Even though we are through and they are out, beating England would still mean a lot to our team.
“We know that we can go far at this World Cup. We have just beaten another world champion and we need to enjoy that and then, against England, we will definitely play to win because of all that it would mean.”
The former Derby, West Ham and Manchester City forward confirmed that Costa Rica will make wholesale changes with their last 16 date in mind.
“The first thing is to manage our emotions. We’ve already qualified but it is important to look forward, it’s important to keep growing as a team.
“The changes will give some other players some football. It’s important to give some football to those who don’t normally get any and also to see how they fit into the system.”
Costa Rica defender Johnny Acosta, who could make his first appearance of the tournament on Tuesday, says his side remain wary of England’s attacking threat.
He said: “England will come to show why they're a powerhouse. Here, no player will want to lose three matches and go home with empty hands.”
? DID YOU KNOW ? On this day two years ago, England were being knocked out of the European Championships by Italy on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in their quarter-final clash in Kiev.
The Three Lions have not lost all three group games at a major tournament for 28 years and Costa Rica coach Luis Jorge Pinto knows it is a fate they desperately want to avoid.
“The mother of football cannot leave without points and that makes it very complex,” he told his press conference on Monday.
“It makes the match very hard. England must take some pride out of Brazil. They cannot just leave with crossed arms.
“This means it will be a head-to-head, a one-to-one match. Those who come into the team will give their all and fight for their position. We want to be number one in the group and we deserve to be it.
“It seems to be that maybe England were taken by surprise. They haven't been lucky in finding the goal. They came to the box many times but did not score the goal.
“Above everything they will have pride. This will be aggressive. We will attack and have our own style of play. We will continue to do what we have done so far.”
If Costa Rica win the group, they will avoid dangerous Group C leaders Colombia with Ivory Coast, Japan and Greece all vying for second place.
If England suffer another defeat on Tuesday it will be the first time they have failed to pick up a point in a World Cup.
Team News:
England boss Hodgson took the unusual step of naming his team in his press conference on Monday, confirming nine changes to the side beaten by Uruguay in Sao Paolo last Thursday.
The 66-year-old vowed to give squad members who have not yet featured an opportunity and has fulfilled his promise with another experimental line-up ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Free agent Frank Lampard will captain the side in what is likely to be the veteran midfielder’s final international appearance as skipper Steven Gerrard drops to the bench along with Wayne Rooney.
Liverpool frontman Daniel Sturridge, who is preferred to new club team-mate Rickie Lambert, and Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill are the only players to retain their places in the starting XI.
Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw will make their first competitive starts with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling coming into defence while James Milner, Jack Wilshere and Adam Lallana are drafted into midfield.
West Bromwich Albion stopper Ben Foster will oust Joe Hart in goal for his first competitive outing since a 3-0 win over Belarus in 2009 with Celtic’s Fraser Forster left out.
But Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a setback in training on Sunday in his recovery from the knee injury suffered in the pre-World Cup friendly against Ecuador and will not feature.
Costa Rica will also ring the changes with qualification already secured as Arsenal forward Joel Campbell and Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz among those expected to miss out.
Marcos Urena and Jose Cubero have been used as substitutes in both games so far and could be promoted to the starting line-up.
Last updated: 3 July 2014 22:34pm
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