Jun 20, 2014; Recife, Pernambuco, BRAZIL; Costa Rican fans cheer as an Italian fan looks on during the second half of Costa Rica
Some people have predicted Costa Rica to make it out of their group. Others have had Greece making it to the top 16, but who in this world predicted both to make it out? If you were one of those people who claimed that Costa Rica and Greece will match up in the round of 16, then you’re a bloody liar. There’s no way anyone saw Costa Rica top Group D and Greece finish second in Group C, given who they had to face to make it out. With the match happening shortly, many are left to wonder which team will continue their Cinderella run and who will go home packing.
Jun 20, 2014; Recife, Pernambuco, BRAZIL; Costa Rica midfielder Jose Cubero (22) celebrates carrying the Costa Rican flag after their 1-0 win over Italy in a 2014 World Cup game at Arena Pernambuco. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Costa Rica not only came out on top as underdogs, they dominated Group E. They thrashed Uruguay senselessly 3-1 in their opening match and kept Italy at bay with a 1-0 victory. Having qualified for the next round, Costa Rica took it easy in their 0-0 draw against England to secure the top seed. With the exception of standout stars Bryan Ruiz and Jackson Martinez, Costa Rica doesn’t boast any renowned stars on the offensive end, but their teamwork and counterattacks have been in sync.
Jun 19, 2014; Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, BRAZIL; Greece fans cheer before the start of the first half of their 2014 World Cup game against Japan at Estadio das Dunas. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Greece on the otherhand qualified to the round of 16 by sheer miracle. After getting thrashed 3-0 by Columbia, the Greeks couldn’t find the net in a 0-0 tie with Japan. Desperately needing a win, the Greeks found the game-winning goal in injury time against Ivory Coast when Giovanni Sio tripped Georgios Samaras in the box and conceded the penalty. Samaras scored the game-winning goal to lead the Greeks to an improbable 2-1 victory.
The Greeks aren’t an offensively skilled side, scoring only two goals (both in the Ivory Coast match) in the group stages, but their defense has proven to be quite stingy. With focus and defense being the key to advancing to the knockout stages, the Greeks can grind it out match by match and find their ways to the finals, but unless they can find the net, they look primed to take their matches to penalties.
"Projected Starting XICosta Rica: Navas, Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Umana, Diaz, Ruiz, Borges, Tejada, Bolanos, CampbellGreece: Glykos, Torosidis, Manolas, Sokratis, Holebas, Samaris, Maniatis, Karagounis, Christodoulopoulos, Samaras, Mitroglou"
Keys for Costa Rica
– Score early! The longer this match goes, the more likely this match works in Greece’s favor.
– Push numbers on the offensive end! Greece is a poor counterattacking and possession team. Costa Rica must take advantage by playing more numbers in the offensive end, but be mindful of each other’s space to spread out Greece’s tight defense.
– Don’t force the issue. Impatience and forcing shots would play in Greece’s favor. Costa Rica must be wise with their possessions and figure out how to break Greece down piece by piece.
Keys for Greece
– Focus on the details! As seen in Mexico’s loss, playing defensive soccer is pointless if the players don’t pay attention to details. Positioning, discipline, and passing has to be precise and executed properly if Greece wants to withstand Costa Rica’s attacks.
– Get a goal. As stupid and obvious this sounds, Greece can’t score to save their life. They need to find the net someway and somehow. As an analyst I have no idea how the Greeks will conjure one up.
– Patience is key. Greece’s chances will be rare and few against a high tempo Costa Rica side. When they get the chance in the Costa Rican box, they cannot blindly fire a shot. Look for the options around and create the best opportunity for others to score.
Key Matchups
– Joel Campbell vs Holebas – The Olympiacos teammates will face off in what could be the most crucial battle in the match. Campbell has been menacing Italy and Uruguay with his off-ball runs, and will look to do the same against the Greeks. If Holebas can keep Campbell at bay, then goals will be hard to come by for Costa Rica.
– Ruiz vs Sokratis + Manolas – Manolas and Sokratis have proven to be a wall when standing together. Ruiz will be responsible for bringing the ball up the middle and once he plays the ball in the box, he will have to step up his craftiness and see how he can create for his teammates or himself against this stingy center back pairing.
– Navas vs Boredom – Navas will hardly be tested in this match, which can become a bad thing when the Greeks decide to counterattack. Navas cannot afford to fall asleep, especially in his country’s first elimination match. Stay awake Navas, stay awake.
"Staff Writer PredictionsYoung Kim: It’s going to be 2-0 Costa Rica. Greece’s advance to the round of 16 has been a fluke and there’s a fat chance that they won’t find the back of the net. Costa Rica will surely advance in convincing fashion.Drew Thompson: It’s going to be 2-0 Costa Rica. I cant see greece coping with Costa Rica’s work rate for 90 minutes honestly. The Costa Ricans are more fit, have more pace and are more cohesive. They’re far more threatening in more areas as well. Greece still don’t really have enough players to give Costa Rica a go of it."