Are You Ready for Some Fútbol! It’s Time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Are You Ready for Some Fútbol! It’s Time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

With the first match for Costa Rica just 4 days away, Hacienda Pinilla is amping up for the exciting games of this year’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Tournament. While we have the cocktails, food, and best atmosphere for watching Costa Rica in the 2014 World Cup, FIFA has an outstanding profile on Los Ticos, the Costa Rica soccer team, including history, players, and everything you need to know about Costa Rica soccer.

Join us at the Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club for each of the World Cup Soccer games and visit FIFA.com for all the latest on the World Cup teams.

FIFA World Cup Profiles Costa Rica Soccer

FIFA World Cup finals history
Costa Rica played their first game as a national team in 1921, a 7-0 win over Central American neighbours El Salvador. As they developed as a side, things weren’t always quite so easy, but after many years of manful efforts they finally managed to reach the world’s biggest football tournament in 1990, taking full advantage of Mexico’s suspension to reach the finals in Italy. Once there, they beat Sweden and Scotland to reach the knockout rounds in an impressive debut under the care of wily boss Bora Milutinovic, where they lost to Czechoslovakia.

They returned to the world stage in 2002 after narrowly failing to reach USA 1994 and France 1998. Drawn into a tricky group alongside eventual champions Brazil and semi-finalists Turkey, the valiant Ticos went out at the first hurdle, the same stage where they would make their exit in a significantly poorer showing four years later in Germany.

The key players
Costa Rica’s fortunes lie at the skilful feet of one Bryan Ruiz. Called “a truly special player” by former coach Rodrigo Kenton, Ruiz established himself at club side Twente in the Netherlands before moving on to Fulham in England. Now back in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven, he ranks among the best playmakers in the North, Central American and Caribbean zone. Alongside Ruiz are a number of tried-and-trusted performers like Christian Bolanos and outstanding goalkeeper Keylor Navas.The dribbling skills and all-around attacking play of the young Joel Campbell have made him another of Los Ticos’ most valuable assets.

Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Italy 1990 (Round of 16), FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 (Fourth place)
Former stars: Hernan Medford, Paulo Wanchope, Walter Centeno