Preview: El Tri need goals against Los Ticos
One outrageous bicycle kick goal by super-sub Raul Jimenez has transformed Mexico’s World Cup qualifying agony into genuine hopes of reaching the 2014 FIFA World Cup. El Tri (11) now have a three-point advantage against Panama (8) whose only option would be to qualify via the playoffs.
The Mexicans are still three points behind Honduras, though. Simple calculations explain that, to clinch an automatic spot in Brazil, they will need Jamaica to do them a favour by defeating Los Catrachos. Otherwise, even if Mexico defeat Costa Rica on Tuesday night, they would still finish fourth in the Hex.
In such case, two meetings against New Zealand in November would take place. The best thing El Tri could do against Costa Rica, who are assured of World Cup participation already, is to win and see what happens in Kingston.
However, it certainly will not be easy to pick up maximum points as Los Ticos have a perfect home record in the Fourth Round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. They are poised to match USA’s 5-0-0 record. Meanwhile, the Mexicans have registered only one away win (1-0 over Jamaica) and were held to a goalless draw at home to Costa Rica back in June.
Being in search of goals, coach Victor Manuel Vucetich will have to make a tough decision: to start hero Raul Jimenez or to pick underperforming striker Javier Hernandez who might finally respond to all the attention he has been receiving lately?
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Costa Rica vs Mexico live on Tuesday, October 15, 2013:
In USA at 21:30 ET on: Telemundo
This CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match will be telecast live in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world. Visit the Costa Rica-Mexico match page for more details as well as live scores.
