For Costa Rica it was fairy tale ride in Brazil World Cup 2014. They were rank outsiders in the group of death D with fancied Italy, Uruguay and England were tipped to make merry with the perceived weakest team of the group.
But astonishingly little Costa Rica almost unknown in the soccer world turned the table around. South American giant Uruguay was piped to the post 3-1 in the first match.
Few thought it a flash in the pan. But soccer pundits started rubbing their fingers when they rocked favorite Italy 1-0 in their next match which effectively eliminated the second most successful team from the world cup.Costa Rica went on holding England in their last match forcing the much vaunted English team return home without a single win. Costa Rica qualified from Group D topping it on sheer merit.
They entered Quarter Final and knocked out Greece on penalty shootout. In quarter they extended strong Holland to their limit and lost only just to end a fairy tale ride.
FIFA World Cup Soccer has universal appeal. It creates hero for unexpected wonderful performance of a team and player and makes them memorable mortals. Brazil world cup have also made few teams to turn heroes from almost nowhere. The most impressive of the lot was little Central American Country Costa Rica. Their spectacular performance in the world cup made them everyone’s favorite.
Widely tipped to finish bottom of the group of death comprising three previous World Cup winners Italy , Uruguay and England , Costa Rica emerged as one of the stories of a truly remarkable tournament as they picked up seven points to send England and Italy packing.
A round of 16 win over Greece on penalties ensured Costa Rica of their best ever World Cup finish as they reached the last eight for the first time, where only a shootout defeat by the Dutch prevented them from reaching the semi-final stage. The fairy tale ride of Costa Rica was heralded all over the soccer world with great admiration.
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island.
Once a poor and isolated colony, since becoming independent in the 19th century, Costa Rica has become one of the most stable, prosperous, and progressive nations in Latin America.
It constitutionally abolished its army permanently in 1949, becoming the first and one of the few sovereign nations without a standing army. Costa Rica has consistently been among the top-ranking Latin American countries in the Human Development Index (HDI), placing 62nd in the world as of 2012.With an area of 51,100 km2 (128th)/19,653 sq mi and a population of 4,586,353 it was one smallest nation that appeared in World Cup 2014.
When the Costa Rica World Cup squad arrive home to heroes' welcome after reaching quarter-final thousands gathered spontaneously to celebrate in San Jose as the heroes arrive home.
Can one imagine what a contrasting event simultaneous first round exit of previous world champions Spain, Italy and England and return home of Portugal, Uruguay, and Chile at subsequent stages?
The tiny Central American country, which has a population of just 4.5 million, were lauded as returning heroes on their arrival back home after a remarkable World Cup campaign.
BDST: 0918 HRS, JUL 12, 2014
