Ecuador v Costa Rica - Preview

Do-or-die for Wanchope's Costa Rica

Striker Paulo Wanchope has called on Costa Rica to show the same spirit that gave mighty Germany a World Cup scare when they face Ecuador in a do-or-die Group A clash here on Thursday.

The 29-year-old former Derby, West Ham and Manchester City player scored both his side's goals in their opening 4-2 defeat to the hosts and knows that only a win against Ecuador, who saw off Poland 2-0 in their opener, will suffice.

"We left with our heads held high after the German game and we always expect to score goals," said Wanchope, who has hit 45 goals in 70 internationals.

"We have a very good side and we'll stick together.

"Ecuador are a really tough team and they are certainly very compact. They have very quick players such as (Ulises) De la Cruz, (Carlos) Tenorio is a threat on the right and Agustin Delgado has a good nose for goal," added the striker who is hoping that a good tournament could see him win a move to Serie A giants AS Roma.

Costa Rica, playing in their third finals, reached the last 16 in 1990, but failed to get beyond the first round in 2002.

Germany can secure thier place in the next round if they defeat Poland on Wednesday leaving both Costa Rica and Ecuador in no doubt as to what they need to do to keep their plans on track.

"If Poland lose to Germany that would mean in practice that the battle for second place would be between Ecuador and ourselves," Costa Rica skipper Luis Marin told AFP.

"It'll be death or glory and we have to win it."

Coach Alexander Guimaraes insists he saw enough in the game with Germany to make him believe that they can beat Ecuador.

"Our hopes are still very high, the team is going to get better and we'll keep our chances alive," he said.

"I'll repeat what I said to begin with - if we keep playing like that we've got every chance of beating Ecuador and Poland."

Ecuador are playing in their second successive finals having been knocked out in the first round in 2002.

The South American minnows believe they can qualify for the last 16 but want to wrap up their place before facing Germany in their last group game on June 20.

"Costa Rica have great players and a lot of experience," said coach Luis Fernando Suarez, Ecuador's Colombian coach, who is aware of the danger posed by Wanchope.

"We will have to ensure that we don't let them play," he said.

Teams

Ecuador

Cristian Mora, Ulises de la Cruz, Ivan Hurtado, Geovanny Espinoza, Neicer Reasco, Edison Mendez, Segundo Castillo, Edwin Tenorio, Antonio Valencia, Agustin Delgado, Carlos Tenorio. Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez

Costa Rica

Jose Porras, Luis Marin, Douglas Sequeira, Michael Umana, Leonardo Gonzales, Mauricio Solis, Walter Centeno, Danny Fonseca, Harold Wallace, Ronald Gomez, Paulo Wanchope. Coach: Alexandre Guimaraes

Referee

Coffi Codjia (BEN)