FIFA World Cup 2018 Group E: Costa Rica

By Yunus Kaymaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Central America's Costa Rican team aim to astonish football authorities by retaining their success in the previous World Cup, when they reached the quarter-finals.

Costa Rica were in the last eight during the tournament in Brazil in 2014, which was a significant success for them.

In Russia, Costa Rica will meet Switzerland, Brazil and Serbia in the same group.

This will be Costa Rica's fifth time in the World Cup.

Costa Rica came second during the North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) qualifiers. The team got the Russia 2018 ticket despite being behind Mexico.

Costa Rica had bagged 16 points in the group led by Mexico with 21 points.

World Cup underdogs Costa Rican stars are Sporting Lisbon's Bryan Ruiz and Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Costa Rica made their debut in the World Cup in 1990, where they reached the last 16.

After their debut, they missed two consecutive World Cups, 1994 and 1998.

In 2002 and 2006 they were eliminated in the group stage.

However, Costa Rica did their best in the previous World Cup held in Brazil. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals in 2014.

- Costa Rica's confirmed squad:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Patrick Pemberton (Liga Deportiva Alajuelense), Leonel Moreira (Herediano).

Defenders: Cristian Gamboa (Celtic), Ian Smith (Norrkoping), Ronald Matarrita (New York City), Bryan Oviedo (Sunderland), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Bologna), Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Acosta (Aguilas Dorados).

Midfielders: David Guzman (Portland Timbers), Yeltsin Tejeda (Lausanne-Sport), Celso Borges (Deportivo La Coruna), Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Rodney Wallace (New York City), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Lisbon), Daniel Colindres, Christian Bolanos (Saprissa).

Forwards: Johan Venegas (Saprissa), Joel Campbell (Real Betis), Marco Urena (Los Angeles).

Manager: Oscar Ramirez.