COSTA RICA vs. GREECE
Round of 16 - Game 4
Round of 16 - Game 4
Date: June 29, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): N/A
Last Match: N/A
Line: Costa Rica +135
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Costa Rica (28th), Greece (12th)
Managers: Jorge Luis Pinto (CRC), Fernando Santos (GRE)
Captains: Bryan Ruiz (CRC), Giorgos Karagounis (GRE)
World Cup Appearances: 4 (CRC), 3 (GRE)
Best Finish: Costa Rica (Round of 16, 1990), Greece (2x Group Stage, Last in 2010)
Qualifying Records: Costa Rica (8-4-4, GF: 27, GA: 12), Greece (9-1-2, GF: 16, GA: 6)
Previous Game Results
Costa Rica
Greece
June 14th - Colombia def. Greece 3-0
June 19th - Japan tied Greece 0-0
June 24th - Greece def. Ivory Coast 2-1
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Greece: Orestis Karnezis (Questionable - Injury), Panagiotis Kone (Questionable - Hamstring), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Yellow Card), Dimitris Salpingidis (Yellow Card), Giorgos Samaras (Yellow Card), Vasilis Torosidis (Yellow Card)
Overview
If you saw this game as being a Costa Rica-Greece matchup then you are amongst a probable handful in the world. The most unlikely of Round of 16 matches sees Greece make their debut in the knockout round and will ensure one of the two teams makes the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.
Costa Rica have been one of the big surprises in this tournament. Expected to be a place-filler in Group D, they surprised everyone by topping the group to set up today's date with Greece. Not a huge offensive threat, Costa Rica get by with strong defence and goalkeeping. It is also a very international mix of players. Their starting 11 in their last match with England featured players plying their club trade in 10 different countries.
Greece were an outside chance at making the knockout round in a weak Group C but managed to advance to this stage in the most improbable fashion. Needing a victory against Ivory Coast, they found it courtesy of an injury time penalty kick by Giorgos Samaras to secure their spot in this game. Also known for their defence, Greece have not been as sharp in this tournament as they typically are and may find themselves vulnerable to a quick Costa Rican counter-attack.
Costa Rica are healthy and have no selection issues. After resting some players against England, would expect them to return to their regular lineup today. It's a variant of a 5-4-1 but will change shape throughout the game as Costa Rica adjust their tactics. While very much a defence-first team, Costa Rica are dangerous when they get forward. Joel Campbell possesses speed and power as the lone striker and gets great supporting play from wide midfielders Bryan Ruiz and Christian Bolanos.
Greece have been the model of defensive organization since winning Euro 2004. They have shown some holes in this tournament though, particularly on the wings. Greece's 4-3-3/4-5-1 typically sees 9 players surrounding the penalty area at all times on defence. Greece may opt to push a bit higher up the field today though against a Costa Rica attack limited in numbers by its own defensive philosophy.
Personnel
In the Costa Rican Third: Costa Rica maintain a good defensive shape and close out attacking players incredibly fast. Greece aren't a team with overly dynamic forwards and have struggled manufacturing goals in this tournament. Greece can get an occasional darting run from their midfield that causes issues but on the whole Costa Rica will not be scared of this lineup. Advantage: Costa Rica.
In the Midfield: Greece passive defensively through the midfield while Costa Rica willing to put some pressure on the attackers. I also feel Costa Rica a bit more creative and effective in possession then Greece are. Advantage: Costa Rica.
In the Greek Third: I think there's holes in this Greek back line, particularly at left back but I don't feel this Costa Rica is the best to take advantage of that. They can get forward but their goals have been the result of shoddy effort or poor man-marking, neither of which Greece will allow. I think they have options on the wings to get deep down the field but will need to find Campbell effectively in the centre to have any hope of goals. Advantage: Greece.
Goalkeeping: First-choice Greek goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis is a game-time decision after leaving the Ivory Coast game with an injury. Panagiotis Glykos will likely start if he can't go. In either case, Keylor Navas has been one of the top goalkeepers in the tournament and has a better club record the past year then either Greek options. Advantage: Costa Rica.
Costa Rica have been one of the big surprises in this tournament. Expected to be a place-filler in Group D, they surprised everyone by topping the group to set up today's date with Greece. Not a huge offensive threat, Costa Rica get by with strong defence and goalkeeping. It is also a very international mix of players. Their starting 11 in their last match with England featured players plying their club trade in 10 different countries.
Greece were an outside chance at making the knockout round in a weak Group C but managed to advance to this stage in the most improbable fashion. Needing a victory against Ivory Coast, they found it courtesy of an injury time penalty kick by Giorgos Samaras to secure their spot in this game. Also known for their defence, Greece have not been as sharp in this tournament as they typically are and may find themselves vulnerable to a quick Costa Rican counter-attack.
Costa Rica are healthy and have no selection issues. After resting some players against England, would expect them to return to their regular lineup today. It's a variant of a 5-4-1 but will change shape throughout the game as Costa Rica adjust their tactics. While very much a defence-first team, Costa Rica are dangerous when they get forward. Joel Campbell possesses speed and power as the lone striker and gets great supporting play from wide midfielders Bryan Ruiz and Christian Bolanos.
Greece have been the model of defensive organization since winning Euro 2004. They have shown some holes in this tournament though, particularly on the wings. Greece's 4-3-3/4-5-1 typically sees 9 players surrounding the penalty area at all times on defence. Greece may opt to push a bit higher up the field today though against a Costa Rica attack limited in numbers by its own defensive philosophy.
Personnel
In the Costa Rican Third: Costa Rica maintain a good defensive shape and close out attacking players incredibly fast. Greece aren't a team with overly dynamic forwards and have struggled manufacturing goals in this tournament. Greece can get an occasional darting run from their midfield that causes issues but on the whole Costa Rica will not be scared of this lineup. Advantage: Costa Rica.
In the Midfield: Greece passive defensively through the midfield while Costa Rica willing to put some pressure on the attackers. I also feel Costa Rica a bit more creative and effective in possession then Greece are. Advantage: Costa Rica.
In the Greek Third: I think there's holes in this Greek back line, particularly at left back but I don't feel this Costa Rica is the best to take advantage of that. They can get forward but their goals have been the result of shoddy effort or poor man-marking, neither of which Greece will allow. I think they have options on the wings to get deep down the field but will need to find Campbell effectively in the centre to have any hope of goals. Advantage: Greece.
Goalkeeping: First-choice Greek goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis is a game-time decision after leaving the Ivory Coast game with an injury. Panagiotis Glykos will likely start if he can't go. In either case, Keylor Navas has been one of the top goalkeepers in the tournament and has a better club record the past year then either Greek options. Advantage: Costa Rica.
Costa Rica will win if:
Attack the full backs for Greece with long balls and speed and see if that opens up the Greek defensive lines. Colombia find this incredibly effective in their game and are the most similar in style of play to Costa Rica. Create space out wide and they'll be able to flood the penalty area with players. Greece are good at picking players up but Costa Rica should be able to use their quickness to find open holes for shots.
Greece will win if:
Have to provide greater pressure on Costa Rica in the middle of the field. Greece love to sit back and defend before attacking in formation. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Costa Rica does as well, and they're a faster, more athletic team. Pressure higher and win possession without being in your own penalty area is the best way to draw Costa Rica out of position and get quality opportunities at goal.
Hardly the must-see game of the tournament. Both teams are counter-punchers with limited options in attack. Goals will be at a premium in this game and first one to score might be the winner. Here's hoping for an entertaining game but don't really see it happening today.
Costa Rica 1-0 Greece
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