The National Men’s Football Team of Costa Rica, affectionately known as “La Sele,” is looking to justify the all-time high FIFA ranking, currently at the 15^th position, by scoring victories against the national teams of Oman and South Korea in October.

 

Following La Sele’s surprising performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and after securing the Central American Cup, expectations for the team increased considerably. As the team travels to Asia for its two friendly matches in October, fans are anticipating their beloved players to win both matches.

 

A wire report by Spanish news agency EFE published by online news daily CRHoy.com highlighted comments by interim coach Paulo Cesar Wanchope, who thinks that the October friendlies will give the national team a chance to ratify their current FIFA ranking. Although Mr. Wanchope led Costa Rica to win the Central American Cup finals, his performance has been criticized by some sports analysts who claim that La Sele has not yet faced teams that are on a similar competitive level.

 

For the two friendly matches in October, La Sele has called up just about all players who shone at the World Cup in Brazil. Out of 20 players who will travel with La Sele for this Asian tour, 15 currently play abroad and five play in First Division teams. Two players have already dropped from the roster due to injuries: Jose Miguel Cubero and Everton’s Bryan Oviedo, who has a scheduled surgical procedure.

 

The first match will be against Oman, a team that FIFA ranks at #76 in the world. Four days later, La Sele will play against South Korea, a team that many consider to be one of the strongest in Asia and a worthy opponent for La Sele. South Korea is currently ranked #63.