By Vijay Setlur
CARSON, California - A few points may separate El Salvador from Costa Rica in the hexagonal. That's just more motivation for los Cuscatlecos.
As the first game of the Gold Cup looms for the Central American rivals on Friday, El Salvador is confident.
"They (Costa Rica) are one of the stronger teams in CONCACAF," manager Carlos de los Cobos said. "To start very strong and win would represent a lot for us."
El Salvador held a spirited morning practice Wednesday just outside The Home Depot Center - the venue for Friday's doubleheader, which also pits Canada against Jamaica in the opener.
During the two-hour plus session, the squad focused on set plays, and short-sided scrimmages.
Teamwork is something De los Cobos feels is one his team's advantages.
"We don't have stars, big stars, but we have a team that plays as a team and that's the best we can do," he said.
As group favorite, Costa Rica presents a formidable challenge.
Los Ticos are atop the six-team final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with 12 points. They've used a combination of speed and balanced scoring to score six goals in its last two qualifiers.
"Costa Rica is a team that has a lot of technique," De los Cobos said. "They have players that have a lot of quality. We can't make a mistake, otherwise they will have the capacity to take advantage of that."
El Salvador's task was made easier when Costa Rica replaced striker Andy Furtado on its roster. Furtado, who has scored two goals in three World Cup qualifiers, was dropped from the squad after the initial sample of his doping test during the Costa Rican league finals returned positive, the Costa Rican federation said.
But El Salvador also will be without its own key player in forward Eliseo Quintanilla. Quintanilla, who has two of El Salvador's six goals in World Cup qualifying, has opted to join his new club, Greek Cypriot side Ermis Aradippou.
De los Cobos has no plans to replace Quintanilla.
"We know their players very well and what we have to do," defender Julio Martinez said. "We have experience before in games against them and are analyzing each of their players."
