In Costa Rica (left) and Honduras (right) have met in the Copa Centroamericana, World Cup Qualifying and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Photo: AFP Services)
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – A strong team spirit is permeating throughout the Costa Rica camp as it prepares for the last two matches in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The second-place Ticos (4W-3D-1L, 15 points) need just a point either against fifth-place Honduras (2-3-3, 9/October 6, home) or third-place Panama (2-4-2, 10/October 10, away) to clinch a trip to Russia.
“We have very good group unity and we are up for what comes next,” said midfielder Celso Borges. “We want to win. It is our objective and we are working for it.
“Each player gives his contribution and has his particular manner of leading, of being an example on the team, which shows that good relationship and how we have managed to understand each other during the match.”
While thoughts of a World Cup-clinching celebration in San Jose’s Estadio Nacional dance in their heads, the Costa Rica players know that getting a result against the rival Hondurans will be no easy task.
“I can’t deny that I imagine celebrating the match, so for that reason we have to prepare ourselves very well, train hard and be ready for what comes,” defender Bryan Oviedo remarked. “We will play at home, in a full stadium against a great opponent like Honduras, a strong opponent, so what’s most important is to be able to win the match.”
In three previous meetings against Honduras this year, Costa Rica holds a 1-0 advantage in wins.
