Costa Ricans expect toughencounter

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Secretary general of the Costa Rican Football Federation, Joseph Ramirez, expects a very tough match from Jamaica's Reggae Boyz when both teams meet in their friendly international game today at the National Stadium, starting at 6 p.m.

"We are very excited because Jamaica are a very strong team and a very important one in the Caribbean area, and possible rivals in Gold Cup and World Cup qualification," Ramirez said shortly after the Central Americans arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.

"We are starting a new process right now and it is very important for us to have our new players, especially the ones that doesn't have the experience, to come to play Jamaica and to know what it is like to play here," Ramirez said.

The Costa Ricans will have history on their side, having beaten Jamaica 10 times out of 19 match-ups but, according to Ramirez, it is going to be very difficult for them to defeat the Reggae Boyz at home.

"It is never a comfort zone when you come to Jamaica, but for us it is very important that we have these types of matches against a team like Jamaica," he said.

Ramirez added that his squad is made up of a good mixture of youth and experience and all the players are looking forward to today's match.

"We have a combination of young players and others with a lot of experience from the last qualification process, and I think we are getting a nice team together and hopefully, this is going to be our basic squad for the next qualification round," Ramirez noted.