Costa Rica faces Grenada in World Cup qualifier

Costa Rica’s national soccer team will play Grenada tomorrow in a qualifying match for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The Ticos traveled yesterday to the Caribbean country with a heavy burden, failing to have won a game all year. And after 11 non-wins, hotly contested coach Harnán Medford was not overly optimistic ahead of tomorrow’s match.

“We’re facing a club that beat the best team in the Caribbean, Jamaica (in a friendly 2-1). Let me say it again: It won’t be easy,” Medford told reporters yesterday.

Costa Rica’s 20-strong roster includes Rolando Fonseca, considered the country’s all-time best striker, who plays for Guatemalan club Comunicaciones.

Tico strongmen also include striker Bryan Ruiz and midfielder Randall Azofeifa, both of Belgium’s Gent club, as well as Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares and Danish team Odense Boldklub’s midfielder Cristian Bolaños.

The Costa Rica-Grenada rematch is set for June 21 at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in the northern San José district, Tibás.