The Costa Rica vs Paraguay international friendly will take place this Wednesday, March 5, 2014 (6:00 PM Pacific) at the Estadio Nacional. The ‘Ticos’ will host Paraguay at their home stadium in San Jose in what will be their farewell from their fans prior to the Brazil 2014 World Cup. This match will also begin Costa Rica’s preparation for June’s tournament in the only FIFA Match Day before the World Cup.
The team coached by Jorge Luis Pinto faces a tough friendly against Paraguay at the start of their preparation for the World Cup. Costa Rica had a very successful CONCACAF Qualifier, where their midfield was very efficient and solid. However, Pinto faces the pressure to score goals, as in their last three friendlies the ‘Ticos’ lost without scoring a single goal: Australia (1-0), Chile (4-0), and South Korea (1-0).
Although in those matches Costa Rica did not count with their main European based players like Bryan Ruiz, coach Pinto must still be worried if his offense does not produce against Paraguay. The ‘Guaranies’ on the other hand will use this match only for training purposes. They had a disastrous CONMEBOL Qualifier where they failed to reach the World Cup. They will be a tough opponent for Costa Rica, although they also enter as the underdogs.
This will be the 7th time these two sides face each other. In the first six games, Paraguay won 3, Costa Rica won 2, and tied 1.
Costa Rica vs Paraguay Prediction
Costa Rica demonstrated during the CONCACAF Qualifiers that they are a very difficult rival while playing at the Estadio Nacional. This Wednesday they are the favorites to win, even as Paraguay will be a difficult opponent. The match will be very fluid, but at the end, the home side will be the one with the better opportunities. The Costa Rica vs Paraguay match will end in a 2-1 win for the ‘Ticos’.
Costa Rica vs Paraguay TV Schedule
The Costa Rica vs Paraguay match will not be televised in the United States. This game can be watched in Costa Rica on Repretel at 8:00 PM San Jose time.
Costa Rica vs Paraguay Highlights
The Costa Rica vs Paraguay video highlights will be uploaded soon after the end of the match.
