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Costa Rica boss: 'Good memories' from 2014 World Cup our inspiration

Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Doha, Nov 30, 2022 (AFP) - Costa Rica manager Luis Fernando Suarez said on Wednesday his side wanted to draw inspiration from their fairytale 2014 World Cup run ahead of their do-or-die clash with Germany.

Costa Rica can qualify for the knockout stages with a win over Germany and will also go through with a draw, provided Spain defeat Japan.

The underdog side made it through to the quarter-finals in Brazil eight years ago, before losing on penalties to the Netherlands.

"Eight years have gone by and players have changed, but we have good memories.

"It might be due to the genes of the Costa Rican people - when we get to a World Cup we do things differently.

"We also qualified for the Round of 16 in 1990, (even though) no-one believed in us."

Suarez said his side did not need to dig too far into the past to draw inspiration for the match, pointing to the way they bounced back from an opening 7-0 defeat to Spain to defeat Japan 1-0.

Suarez said midfielder Celso Borges gave an impassioned speech after the Spain game, telling his side their World Cup was not over.

"After the (Spain) game, Celso said 'we are going to bounce back'."

"It was very difficult to bounce back from that situation. I am proud of our team, they keep surprising me."

Suarez admitted he had not heard of German striker Niclas Fuellkrug before the World Cup, but said "we will watch out for him."

Fuellkrug scored Germany's equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Spain and is in line for his first start on Thursday.

Borges attempted to take the pressure off the side, saying on Wednesday Costa Rica were "obviously in a beautiful situation".

"Everything is down to us."

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