Steve Foster
Well-known member
The prelude before the England match, sees, Uruguay v Costa Rica.
URUGUAY (seeded)
How do they play?
Style & formation: As qualifying went on, coach Oscar Tabarez settled on a pragmatic and counter-attacking 4-4-2. The industrious Edinson Cavani leads the line, with Luis Suarez given licence to roam.
Tabarez, however, is not afraid to switch formations, doing so in away matches and during the Confederations Cup to counteract the opposition, including playing 3-5-2 and 4-3-3. Expect him to vary it up in Brazil.
Strengths: In Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and the evergreen Diego Forlan, Uruguay possess magnificent striking options.
Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.Highlights: Italy edge out Uruguay in Confederations Cup
Oscar Tabarez has also reintroduced the Uruguayan characteristic 'garra' - an inner belief that they are tougher than their opponent, both technically and mentally.
Weaknesses: Diego Godin aside, part of Atletico Madrid's miserly defence, Uruguay's defensive department is ageing. Diego Lugano and midfield enforcer Edgidio Arevalo headline the over-thirties. They have worn the shirt with pride but for some Brazil very much has an end of party feel to it.
Key player
Luis Suarez, 26, is Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 39 goals in 76 caps; he beat Diego Forlan's previous record during last year's Confederations Cup. The Liverpool forward's pace, fleet-footedness, power and control make him one of the game's most potent strikers. He may have scored three goals at the 2010 World Cup but his handball on the line in the quarter-final against Ghana is the abiding memory of him from South Africa.
He is a doubt to start the World Cup after picking up a knee injury.
One to watch
Diego Godin has always been in the shadows of his centre-back partner Diego Lugano, but not anymore. Godin became a leader of men at Atletico this season and was voted La Liga player of the month for April and May.
The boss
Oscar Tabarez demands more respect than most in Uruguay. The former teacher has revamped the youth set-up, led them to fourth at the World Cup and won a Copa America during his second spell. He has made a proud nation proud again.
World Cup record
Winners of the inaugural World Cup on home soil in 1930, they also lifted the trophy in 1950 - the only other time Brazil have hosted the tournament. Uruguay have also finished fourth on three occasions: 1954, 1970 and 2010.
Record v England
They have never lost to England at a World Cup, winning 4-2 in a 1954 quarter-final and drawing 0-0 in the group stage of England's successful 1966 campaign. Overall, they have won four and drawn three of 10 meetings but lost the most recent encounter 2-1 at Anfield in a 2006 friendly.
Fifa ranking: 7
Squad
Uruguay's typical starting XI
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama), Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad).
Defenders: Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica), Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion), Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez (both Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Liverpool), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jorge Fucile (Porto).
Midfielders: Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo), Walter Gargano (Parma), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Diego Perez (Bologna), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Gaston Ramirez (Southampton), Nicolas Lodeiro (Botafogo).
Forwards: Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Paris St-Germain), Abel Hernandez (Palermo), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka), Christian Stuani (Espanyol).
COSTA RICA
Prospects
Arguably the most talented Costa Rica squad ever assembled for a World Cup, they can consider themselves unlucky to have been drawn in Group D. There are several European-based players among a squad that will fight tooth and nail for each other, but will that be enough?
Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.World Cup 2014 team profile: Costa Rica
The loss of first-choice forward Alvaro Saborio, who has scored 32 goals in 93 games for his country, just two weeks before the start of the tournament, plus the absence of Everton full-back Bryan Oviedo, is a huge blow to their chances.
Key player
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has already reached a half century of caps at the age of 26 and he kept seven clean sheets in 14 qualifying matches. He is now first choice for Levante in Spain's top flight, with bigger clubs taking an interest.
One to watch
Defensive midfielder Yeltsin Tejeda is not just playing for Costa Rica this World Cup, he's also playing for a move, potentially to Europe. Assistant manager Paulo Wanchope, formerly of Manchester City, West Ham and Derby, believes the 21-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.
The boss
It is a second spell in charge for Colombian Jorge Luis Pinto , who was fired during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. He has given Costa Rica an identity, given them confidence and made them difficult to break down. He has worked hard to make it to a World Cup finals and despite being drawn in a Group of Death will be optimistic of enhancing his reputation, particularly in his native Latin America.
How they qualified
They finished comfortably as runners-up in the final group stage, with their five wins all coming at home. The Ticos also only conceded seven goals in the final phase, fewer than any other team.
World Cup record
They made a winning World Cup debut against Scotland in 1990, going on to reach the last 16. Group exits have followed in 2002 and 2006.
Record v England
The two national teams have never previously met.
Fifa ranking: 28
Squad
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense) Daniel Cambronero (Herediano).
Defenders: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Michael Umana (Saprissa), Oscar Duarte (Bruges), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Heiner Mora (Saprissa), Junior Diaz (Mainz 05), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls).
Midfielders: Celso Borges (AIK), Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), Diego Calvo (Valerenga), Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano).
Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Fulham), Joel Campbell (Olympiakos, on loan from Arsenal), Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Marco Urena (FC Kuban Krasnodar).
URUGUAY (seeded)
How do they play?
Style & formation: As qualifying went on, coach Oscar Tabarez settled on a pragmatic and counter-attacking 4-4-2. The industrious Edinson Cavani leads the line, with Luis Suarez given licence to roam.
Tabarez, however, is not afraid to switch formations, doing so in away matches and during the Confederations Cup to counteract the opposition, including playing 3-5-2 and 4-3-3. Expect him to vary it up in Brazil.
Strengths: In Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and the evergreen Diego Forlan, Uruguay possess magnificent striking options.
Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.Highlights: Italy edge out Uruguay in Confederations Cup
Oscar Tabarez has also reintroduced the Uruguayan characteristic 'garra' - an inner belief that they are tougher than their opponent, both technically and mentally.
Weaknesses: Diego Godin aside, part of Atletico Madrid's miserly defence, Uruguay's defensive department is ageing. Diego Lugano and midfield enforcer Edgidio Arevalo headline the over-thirties. They have worn the shirt with pride but for some Brazil very much has an end of party feel to it.
Key player
Luis Suarez, 26, is Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 39 goals in 76 caps; he beat Diego Forlan's previous record during last year's Confederations Cup. The Liverpool forward's pace, fleet-footedness, power and control make him one of the game's most potent strikers. He may have scored three goals at the 2010 World Cup but his handball on the line in the quarter-final against Ghana is the abiding memory of him from South Africa.
He is a doubt to start the World Cup after picking up a knee injury.
One to watch
Diego Godin has always been in the shadows of his centre-back partner Diego Lugano, but not anymore. Godin became a leader of men at Atletico this season and was voted La Liga player of the month for April and May.
The boss
Oscar Tabarez demands more respect than most in Uruguay. The former teacher has revamped the youth set-up, led them to fourth at the World Cup and won a Copa America during his second spell. He has made a proud nation proud again.
World Cup record
Winners of the inaugural World Cup on home soil in 1930, they also lifted the trophy in 1950 - the only other time Brazil have hosted the tournament. Uruguay have also finished fourth on three occasions: 1954, 1970 and 2010.
Record v England
They have never lost to England at a World Cup, winning 4-2 in a 1954 quarter-final and drawing 0-0 in the group stage of England's successful 1966 campaign. Overall, they have won four and drawn three of 10 meetings but lost the most recent encounter 2-1 at Anfield in a 2006 friendly.
Fifa ranking: 7
Squad
Uruguay's typical starting XI
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama), Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad).
Defenders: Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica), Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion), Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez (both Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Liverpool), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jorge Fucile (Porto).
Midfielders: Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo), Walter Gargano (Parma), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Diego Perez (Bologna), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Gaston Ramirez (Southampton), Nicolas Lodeiro (Botafogo).
Forwards: Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Paris St-Germain), Abel Hernandez (Palermo), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka), Christian Stuani (Espanyol).
COSTA RICA
Prospects
Arguably the most talented Costa Rica squad ever assembled for a World Cup, they can consider themselves unlucky to have been drawn in Group D. There are several European-based players among a squad that will fight tooth and nail for each other, but will that be enough?
Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.World Cup 2014 team profile: Costa Rica
The loss of first-choice forward Alvaro Saborio, who has scored 32 goals in 93 games for his country, just two weeks before the start of the tournament, plus the absence of Everton full-back Bryan Oviedo, is a huge blow to their chances.
Key player
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has already reached a half century of caps at the age of 26 and he kept seven clean sheets in 14 qualifying matches. He is now first choice for Levante in Spain's top flight, with bigger clubs taking an interest.
One to watch
Defensive midfielder Yeltsin Tejeda is not just playing for Costa Rica this World Cup, he's also playing for a move, potentially to Europe. Assistant manager Paulo Wanchope, formerly of Manchester City, West Ham and Derby, believes the 21-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.
The boss
It is a second spell in charge for Colombian Jorge Luis Pinto , who was fired during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. He has given Costa Rica an identity, given them confidence and made them difficult to break down. He has worked hard to make it to a World Cup finals and despite being drawn in a Group of Death will be optimistic of enhancing his reputation, particularly in his native Latin America.
How they qualified
They finished comfortably as runners-up in the final group stage, with their five wins all coming at home. The Ticos also only conceded seven goals in the final phase, fewer than any other team.
World Cup record
They made a winning World Cup debut against Scotland in 1990, going on to reach the last 16. Group exits have followed in 2002 and 2006.
Record v England
The two national teams have never previously met.
Fifa ranking: 28
Squad
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense) Daniel Cambronero (Herediano).
Defenders: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Michael Umana (Saprissa), Oscar Duarte (Bruges), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Heiner Mora (Saprissa), Junior Diaz (Mainz 05), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls).
Midfielders: Celso Borges (AIK), Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), Diego Calvo (Valerenga), Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano).
Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Fulham), Joel Campbell (Olympiakos, on loan from Arsenal), Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Marco Urena (FC Kuban Krasnodar).
