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Costa Rica

Group A | World Ranking: 26

Qualification: Third in CONCACAF final group, with wins over the U.S., Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala and Panama
Coach: Alexandre Guimaraes
Key Players: Paulo Wanchope (striker), Walter Centeno (midfield)
Past Record: Reached the second on World Cup debut in 1990; Third appearance in finals

Group A Matches:
June 9: Germany (Munich)
June 14: Ecuador (Hamburg)
June 20: Poland (Hanover)

The Central Americans will be aiming to improve on their performance four years ago when they beat China and drew with Turkey but narrowly missed out on a place in the second round on goal difference following a heavy defeat by Brazil. The re-appointment of Alexandre Guimaraes, who led Costa Rica to the 2002 finals, helped the Ticos overcome a poor start to their qualifying campaign. Uninhibitedly talented, though a little lightweight, Costa Rica are a dangerous underdog with the potential to cause an upset.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeeper:
1. Alvaro Mesen (Herediano)
18. Jose Francisco Porras (Saprissa)
23. Wardy Alfaro (Alajuelense)

Defenders:
2. Jervis Drummond (Saprissa)
3. Luis Marin (Alajuelense)
4. Michael Umana (Brujas)
5. Gilberto Martinez (Brescia, Italy)
12. Leonardo Gonzalez (Herediano)
15.Harold Wallace (Alajuelense)
17. Gabriel Badilla (Saprissa)
22. Michael Rodriguez (Alajuelense)

Midfielders:
6. Danny Fonseca (Cartagines)
7. Cristian Bolanos (Saprissa)
8. Mauricio Solis (Comunicaciones, Guatemala)
10. Walter Centeno (Saprissa)
14. Randall Azofeifa (Saprissa)
16. Carlos Hernandez (Alajuelense)
20. Douglas Sequeira (Real Salt Lake, USA)

Strikers:
9. Paulo Wanchope (Herediano)
11. Ronald Gomez (Saprissa)
13. Kurt Bernard (Puntarenas)
19. Alvaro Saborio (Saprissa)
21. Victor Nunez (Cartagines)

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