Costa Rica’s National Team Prepares for Crucial Repechaje Against Belize

ALAJUELA, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s national football coach, Miguel ‘Piojo’ Herrera, has gathered a full squad for the first time since taking over the team, aiming to lead them into a new edition of the Gold Cup. The team’s first official training was held this morning in preparation for their upcoming playoff matches against Belize, scheduled for March 21 and 26 in Belmopán and at the Estadio Nacional, respectively.

Since assuming his role in January, Herrera has overseen just one match—a friendly against the United States that resulted in a 3-0 defeat. This training session marks Herrera’s first opportunity to work with key players like Patrick Sequeira, Orlando Galo, and Manfred Ugalde. “We’ve spoken very little with him; the greeting was the main thing,” one player remarked about Herrera’s appointment and his initial interactions with the team.

The Costa Rican players will have three days to prepare for their first match against Belize, which is crucial for their progression in the tournament. As of December 19, 2024, Belize’s national football team ranks 178th in the world, making them the seventh-ranked team in Central America. They trail behind Panama (36th), Costa Rica (54th), Honduras (75th), El Salvador (83rd), Guatemala (105th), and Nicaragua (133rd).

The first leg of the playoff will kick off on Friday at 8:00 PM local time, with the return leg set for Tuesday at 7:00 PM at Estadio Nacional. With the stakes high, Herrera’s ability to unite the national squad will be pivotal in their quest for success.