Defensive organization and tactics:

The Costa Ricans' individual defensive skills were often lacking, sometimes guilty of poor marking and cover. This resulted in both El Salvador goals in their 2:1 loss to its Central American rival, while it was goalkeeper Leonardo GONZALEZ (No. 12), poor finishing and bad luck which more than once prevented the Jamaicans from scoring after penetrative passes through the center of the defense. The Costa Ricans, therefore, relied on organization and pressure in defense, and tactically their approach differed by the match. Against El Salvador in their opening match, they applied immediate pressure across the entire field - a high intensity and physical undertaking - while in their second match against Jamaica -- perhaps taking into account the massive physical effort of their opener as well as the physical strength and athleticism of the Jamaicans -- they set their defensive line at the midfield third and tended to close space when the opponent attempted to penetrate that zone.

Costa Rica defended from the front with the forwards contributing to the effort. Alvaro SABORIO (No. 9), in particular, frequent applied pressure on opposing defenders and the team maintained a compact shape, seeking to deny space between the lines. Walter CENTENO (No. 10) and Celso BORGES (No. 5), the core of the team, shared defensive responsibilities very well in midfield and did a tremendous amount of running. However, the flanks were always vulnerable, which Osael ROMERO (No. 8) of El Salvador demonstrated by penetrating the Costa Rican left in a one-on-one duel to score his first in a solo effort, and added a second from a right flank cross after a poor clearance in the center of the defense.

Attacking organization and tactics:

As is its tradition, Costa Rica demonstrated a high level individual technique and collective skill. The attack revolved around the technical, yet hard working, central midfield duo of veteran captain Walter CENTENO (No. 10) and the youthful Celso BORGES (No. 5). Collaboration between the pair was based on a clear division of roles and responsibilities as Walter CENTENO (No. 10) initiated, supported and controlled the rhythm of the attack after taking possession from his defenders, while Celso BORGES (No. 5) played further forward, linked with the forwards and was prepared to penetrate deep positions. In this way, he scored his team's winner against Jamaica, arriving unmarked in the penalty area to volley home a cross. The Ticos demonstrated the depth of their midfield talent by replacing Walter CENTENO (No. 10) with Cristian OVIEDO (No. 6) for its quarterfinal match against Guadeloupe. Cristian OVIEDO (No. 6), a more defensive-minded player than his captain, allowed Celso BORGES (No. 5) to roam more freely in attack, and to score one and assist in two of his team's five goals.

Flank play was a central aspect of the Costa Rican attack, with midfielder Andy HERRON (No. 11) and wing back Pablo HERRERA (No. 17) along the right, and left wing back Dennis MARSHALL (No. 20) being particularly important. In this regard, Pablo HERRERA (No. 17), who also played as a wide midfielder, was critical. It was Pablo HERRERA (No. 17) who, as a second-half substitute against more than one opponent, both created and scored goals. Left back Dennis MARSHALL (No. 20), who did not play against El Salvador but who has been a regular in World Cup qualifying, pushed forward along the left. The good balance in Costa Rican flank attacks was seen in the high percentage of their goals that resulted from right and left side crosses.

The attack also was characterized by the movement of a variety of forwards - permanent starter Alvaro SABORIO (No. 9) supported by the experienced Froylan LEDEZMA (No. 21), Armando ALONSO (No. 14) and Warren GRANADOS (No. 19) -- who collectively roamed across the field in search of space. This movement allowed variation in the attack by providing passing options through central areas. It was the appreciation of space and movement that allowed all of these players, with the exception of Froylan LEDEZMA (No. 21), who created a goal for Pablo HERRERA (No. 17) against Guadeloupe, to score.

Key Points: Costa Rica

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