Costa Rica will battle against Colombia in the Centenario Copa America 2016 Group A encounter at Reliant Stadium, Houston on Saturday.
Colombia made a flying start to their Copa America campaign as they outplayed USA 2-0 in their opening fixture. Pekerman’s side held on to their form and clinched a 2-1 win against Paraguay to seal the top spot in Group A with 6 points. With two consecutive victories, Colombia have already sealed a spot in the knock-out stage of the competition. Jose Pekerman is hopeful that his side will maintain the Group A domination with a win against Costa Rica in Saturday’s clash to finish at the top with 9 points from 3 matches.
On the other hand Costa Rica had a disappointing start to their campaign with a goalless draw against Paraguay followed by a 4-0 defeat against USA. The negative goal difference will see them embarking upon an almost impossible task of making it to the quarter-finals. Costa Rica will be desperate to thrash Colombia by a huge margin to keep the hopes of a mathematical chance for qualifying to the last eight, provided Paraguay wins against USA in the other Group A clash on Saturday.
“We know that there’s only a very small chance of qualifying, but I’m staying positive and believing the results can come,” said Costa Rica forward Johan Venegas.
“They will be looking to give it everything, because they still have a chance. Maybe for some it is impossible, but they have a chance and while they have that they must go for it,” said Colombia midfielder Daniel Torres.
Team News
Colombia
Possible XI: Ospina; Diaz, Murillo, Zapata, Arias; Torres, Perez; James, Cardona, Cuadrado; Bacca
Costa Rica
Possible XI: Pemberton; Matarrita, Acosta, Duarte, Calvo, Gamboa; Borges, Tejeda, Ruiz, Campbell; Soborio