Costa Rica ‘Will Do Anything’ to Defeat Serbia

For the Costa Ricans he is the hero of the nation from the time of the 2014 world Cup, when Navas conceded just one goal and brought his team to the quarter-finals.

Serbia’s defender Aleksandar Kolarov celebrates after scoring during the Russian Federation 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Costa Rica and Serbia at the Samara Arena in Samara on June 17, 2018.

The Roma defender struck a thunderous second-half free-kick that clinched Serbia a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica on Sunday.

Costa Rica face an upwards battle to qualify with Brazil and Switzerland to come in Group E following their loss to Serbia.

The wall of noise and colour from outside the ground was soon transported indoors, where the nearby Costa Rica fans in particular made it hard to hold a conversation with a colleague sat three yards away. “However, our intention remains the same”.

Four years ago, Costa Rica were the Cinderella story of the tournament because they could handle a variety of opponents and were able to change their approach on the fly.

The Ticos were the surprise of the last World Cup, sweeping through to the quarterfinals in Brazil before being ousted by the Netherlands on penalties.

Mitrovic wasted another chance to wrap up the points late on, but his profligacy did not prove costly as Serbia held on to seal the points.

The opener came in the 56th minute after Mitrovic was fouled by Guzman around 30 yards from goal. Had they been asked an hour later, the prediction may well have been more boisterous.

Krstajic, a former Serbian global defender, has called on plenty of experience, though, with former Chelsea centre-back Branislav Ivanovic, Roma defender Aleksandar Kolarov and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic all starting.

The first half ended goalless.

Star goalkeeper Keylor Navas turned in a strong performance for La Sele as expected, but was unable to stop a powerful free kick by Aleksandar Kolarov in the second half.

Urena’s right-foot strike from outside the box in the 39th went over the bar.

There were no exuberant celebrations, however, with Kolarov sounding a word of caution.

“If we play to our potential, are honest among ourselves, as we have been these three weeks, then we can do something”, Kolarov said in quotes reported on the Serbian FA’s official website.

“I do not see inordinate pressure on them, even through many people want to (put pressure on them) but they know what to do and are fully focused”.