Familiar faces for Jamaica, Costa Rica matchup

It will be a case of familiar faces confronting each other when the Costa Ricans touch down at the Norman Manley International Airport on Saturday, September 4, one day before their highly anticipated football friendly against Jamaica inside the National Stadium.

The last time the countries met was at the CONCACAF Gold Cup last year when Costa Rica won 1-0 on a goal by Celso Borges, who will also be making the trip to Jamaica.

Costa Rica have history on their side, having beaten Jamaica 10 times out of 19 matchups. However, they are playing a new-look Jamaican team which have not lost at home since June 2007.

The Central Americans will be travelling with a 22-man squad comprising several players who play with members of the Jamaican team in domestic leagues.

Ten of the visiting players ply their trade in leagues outside of Costa Rica such as the US Major League Soccer (MLS), Norwegian, Belgium, Polish and Dutch leagues; including respected defender Roy Miller, who plays for New York Red Bulls in the MLS.

Miller will face clubmate Dane Richards, who is expected to feature in the Jamaican attack. Miller has just been at New York for a few months now, while Richards has been at the club for three years. Incidentally, it was Richards who helped the Costa Rican to settle in his new environment. However, the diminutive striker will be looking to be less hospitable when both clash at 'The Office'.

Familiar figure

All-action left-sided player Demar Phillips will also be coming up against a familiar figure in the form of Michael Barrantes, both of whom hold starting spots in the midfield of Norwegian Club Aalesunds FK.

Like they are in club play, both are also key figures for their national teams and will ensure an intriguing battle when both nations square off.

Incidentally, Costa Rica's in-form striker, Alvaro Saborio, plays in the MLS for Real Salt Lake alongside a former Reggae Boy, Andy 'Bomber' Williams. Saborio has scored four goals in his last six games for his club; and he has scored three goals in Costa Rica's last four games.