Costa Rica will be relying on the talents of Shirley Cruz (white jersey) against Brazil in the FIFA Women's World Cup on June 17, 2015. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
MONCTON, Canada – After earning hard-fought draws in its first two matches of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Costa Rica is set to conclude group play against Brazil on Wednesday at Moncton Stadium.
Here are Three Points to consider ahead of the game:
1) With a win, the Ticas will advance
The recipe is simple for Costa Rica: win and progress. A victory over favored Brazil would secure the Ticas a second-place finish in Group E, as well as a place in the tournament’s round of 16. While a draw could also see them through, a similar scoreline between Korea Republic and Spain would be required. A scenario also exists in which Costa Rica — currently on two points — can advance even in the event of a loss, but it would leave the Ticas needing to lose by just a single goal to the Brazilians and a draw in the Spain vs. Korea Republic match. Providing additional optimism is the fact that Brazil has already secured first place and progressed to the round of 16, leaving many to believe it field a reduced-strength squad on Wednesday.
2) Superstars on display
While Wednesday’s match will be packed with world-class talent, no two stars will shine brighter than Costa Rican midfielder Shirley Cruz and Brazilian striker Marta. Cruz, a cerebral 29-year-old central midfielder of the highest international caliber, will once again be counted on to drive the Costa Rican attack. Having already squared off with two of the game’s best in Spanish midfielder Verónica Boquete and Korean playmaker Ji So-yun so far in Canada, the Paris Saint Germain standout will need to be at her best on Wednesday if the Ticas are going to shock the Brazilians. Standing in Cruz’s way, however, is Marta -- one of the game’s true legends. The five-time FIFA World Player of the Year is widely regarded as the game’s top talent and is certain to create problems for the Costa Rican defense.
3) Defend and counter
Despite needing a result and boasting one of the game’s best attacking midfielders, Costa Rica’s success on Wednesday will in large part hinge on its ability to defend. Brazil is a team flush with attacking talent and individual flair. Known for holding possession, dictating tempo and switching the point of attack, the Canarinhas will likely attempt to force Costa Rica into a defensive shell. In some ways, however, this approach plays in to the hands of the Costa Ricans, who, under the guidance of manager Amelia Valverde, own one of the tournament’s most compact and disciplined back lines. If the Ticas can weather the Brazilian storm and find Cruz in space on the counter, an upset is distinctly possible.
Bonus Points
• In their last time out, the Ticas provided one of the tournament’s most memorable moments, when Karla Villalobos slotted home a last-gasp 89th minute equalizer for a 2-2 draw with the Korea Republic.
• Having registered back-to-back draws with Spain and Korea Republic, Costa Rica is still looking for its first Women’s World Cup win.