Costa Rica vs El Salvador live stream soccer world cup qualification match online on HD TV

Costa Rica vs El Salvador live stream soccer world cup qualification match online on HD TV   

Time and Date:08/06/12 20:00 Local Time

Venue:San Jose

Costa Rica vs El Salvador live

Qualification history
Despite missing out on South Africa 2010, Costa Rica have established themselves as the most consistent third team in the CONCACAF pecking order, ranking in behind Mexico and the United States. The Ticos reached their first FIFA World Cup™ back in 1990 after attempting to qualify on and off since 1938. They then missed out on the 1994 and 1998 editions before returning to the global fold with distinction in 2002. They went as far as the inter-continental play-off last year, but were beaten barely by eventual semi-finalists Uruguay over two legs and missed out on booking their third consecutive appearance at the biggest football show on earth.

FIFA World Cup finals history
Costa Rica played their first game as a national team in 1921, a 7-0 win over Central American neighbours El Salvador. As they developed as a side, things weren’t always quite so easy, but after many years of manful efforts they finally managed to reach the world’s biggest football tournament in 1990, taking full advantage of Mexico’s suspension to reach the finals in Italy. Once there, they beat Sweden and Scotland to reach the knockout rounds in an impressive debut under the care of wily boss Bora Milutinovic.

They returned to the world stage in 2002 after narrowly failing to reach USA 1994 and France 1998. Drawn into a tricky group alongside eventual champions Brazil and semi-finalists Turkey, the valiant Ticos went out at the first hurdle, the same stage where they would make their exit in a significantly poorer showing four years later in Germany.

The current crop
The six-time Central American champions are in a moment of transition, with the FA turning to Jorge Luis Pinto after an unsuccessful stint in charge by Ricardo La Volpe. It is hoped that Pinto can lead the way for a talented and youthful generation of Costa Rican players as they take aim at a fourth World Cup appearance at Brazil 2014. The team will first need to recover psychologically after only reaching the quarter-final stage of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they lost on penalties to neighbours Honduras, the very side that pipped them to the last place from the region at last year’s World Cup on African soil.

Key players
Costa Rica’s fortunes lie at the skillful feet of one Bryan Ruiz. Called “a truly special player” by former coach Rodrigo Kenton, Ruiz established himself at club side Twente in the Netherlands before moving on to Fulham in England. He ranks among the best playmakers in the North, Central American and Caribbean zone. Alongside Ruiz are a number of tried-and-trusted performers like Alvaro Saborio, Cristian Bolanos and outstanding goalkeeper Keilor Navas. La Volpe also unearthed a stunning talent when he took a junior side to the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, 19-year-old Joel Campbell’s dribbling and all-around attack play making waves in the European transfer market.

Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Italy 1990 (Round of 16), FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 (Fourth place)
Former stars: Hernan Medford, Paulo Wanchope, Walter Centeno

Qualification history
Leading up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, El Salvador were pegged to be the surprise packages of the qualifying stages. With nearly three decades gone by since their last qualification for the FIFA World Cup, El Salvador entered the first stage of qualifying hopeful to restore confidence in their side. And they convinced in the first stage by seeing off Anguilla 16-0 on aggregate and knocking out a favoured Panama side in the second.

The Salvadorans ultimately missed out on their South Africa chance, though, as they finished the final 'hexagonal' round of qualifying in fifth place. They were unable to capitalise on a shaky performance from Costa Rica, which opened the door for an unlikely Honduran team to seize the final automatic qualification spot. Perhaps the more notable finish for the Salvadorans, was striker Rudis Corrales ten goals scored, which lead the qualifying campaign for all CONCACAF teams.

El Salvador had twice previously qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1970 and 1982. El Salvador’s first attempt to qualify for the tournament was underlined by political tensions with Honduras, whom they met in the second qualifying round. El Salvador ended the better side of the two winning 3-2 after extra time in a play-off match in Mexico City.

FIFA World Cup finals history
It has been 29 years since El Salvador last made an appearance at the FIFA World Cup and although their place has been penned in the tournament's history, it has most often been due to unfortunate finishes. The Salvadorans lost all three of their group matches in 1970 and were particularly stung by a loss to host nation Mexico, in which El Tri scored off a controversial free-kick and went on to claim a 4-0 victory. In 1982, El Salvador’s World Cup misfortunes were multiplied by a 10-1 loss to Hungary - a record scoreline in the showpiece competition.

The current crop
The Salvadoran Football Association appointed Ruben Israel on 6 April 2011 as the national team’s manager. Israel’s first real test as coach came at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup and although he had relatively little time to prepare, the manager was able to whip his team into shape for the regional event. A hard-earned draw against Costa Rica and a heavy win over Cuba saw El Salvador push through to the quarter-finals, where they only just missed out on a place in the semi-finals after a shootout loss to Panama.

The key players
Alianza forward Rudis Corrales plays a critical goalscoring role for El Salvador, netting ten goals in the teams 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Attacking midfielder Eliseo Quintanilla is also known to come through at critical moments and he notably scored El Salvador’s first goal against the USA in 11 years in a March 2009 qualifier. Rodolfo Zelaya will also have his confidence boosted after his three goals at the Gold Cup spurred the Salvadorans onto some impressive results.

Current coach: Ruben Israel
Best performances in a FIFA Competition: FIFA World Cup Mexico 1970, Spain 1982 (Group stages)
Former stars: Jorge ‘Magico’ Gonzalez, Luis Guevara Mora, Luis Ramirez Zapata