The Gloomy Face of the Erstwhile “Giant” Killer

KOMPAS/HERPIN DEWANTO PUTRO

The Costa Rican team practices during training on Tuesday (19/6/2018) at Olimpiyets Stadium in Pavlovsk, St. Petersburg, Russia. After losing 0-1 to Serbia, Costa Rica is preparing to meet Brazil in the second Group E match of the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Friday (22/06/2018). The "Los Ticos" squad, the only Group E team that has not earned any points, must win the match to qualify for the next round.

SAINT PETERSBURG, KOMPAS – Four years ago, the Costa Rican national team was famed as the killer of “giants” after defeating world champions Uruguay and Italy in the group matches of the 2014 World Cup. Now, in Russia, it was their turn to face the wrath of another “giant”, namely Brazil.

The “Los Ticos” squad has an increasingly small chance to make it through to round 16. In Group E, which also houses Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia, Costa Rica is the only team that has yet to score any points. It was defeated by Serbia, 0 to 1, in its first match.