HEAD TO HEAD: Costa Rica Wins 0 Greece Wins 0 Draws 0 Referee: Ben Williams (AUS) Neither of these two sides were expected to make any impact at this World Cup. Just getting to the round of sixteen would be seen as a minor victory for both teams. But now the carrot of making the quarter finals for the first time in each nations history dangles tantalizingly for both. Costa Rica overwhelmed a Suarez less Uruguay with patient passing at the back and clever balls down the channels to unleash the pace of Campbell and Urena. Their display of skill and control still highlights the technical deficiencies in our game. The heat of Manaus also played a part in draining both Italy and England given the Costa Rican's encountering such conditions and their physical preparation before the tournament. Greece on the other hand were dismissed with ease by Colombia and despite being obdurate and showing the occasional flashes of intrepidity they still seem more content to spoil and only come forth when needing the result. Which against a side like Costa Rica may prove their undoing. The CONACAF team have shown up sides with a better defence and with Borges and Bolanos prompting from midfield and wide have provided the elusive Ruiz and Campbell with several opportunities. Greece will try and settle for extra time and penalties and take their chances in a shoot out. Pinto is unlikely to shift from trying to counter when possible seeing as he has confined players like Fetfatzidis to the bench for the most part. Although when one has a Jesus look alike on the team the Greeks may be remembering fondly memories of 2004.
I have a few greek friends, love the food and often holiday on the islands. There again I drink lots of coffee ... Tough. tough decision. Viva El Greco
