GLASGOW, Scotland - A strong sense of unity is permeating throughout Costa Rica National Team camp, as they prep for their first match of what will be an important 2018.
The FIFA World Cup-bound Ticos have been in Glasgow this week ahead of Friday's international friendly versus Scotland, with spirits high that the year can begin with a victory.
"The team is great and very united," said DF Francisco Calvo via the FEDEFUTBOL website. "This is the last preview for the final list and World Cup. The atmosphere always is competitive and we try to be a family to achieve our objectives," added Calvo.
While Costa Rica charged to a second straight World Cup qualification in 2017, the year ended on a sour note, with defeats in their final two friendlies versus Spain (5-0) and Hungary (1-0) last November.
That is why Calvo & Co. will be keen to control the attacking tempo on Friday.
"Against Scotland we are going to try to manage the ball, be offensive but with precaution because they can play the counterattack against you, so you have to be wary," said Calvo.
Following the Scotland friendly, Costa Rica will then travel to Nice, France to square off against Tunisia on Tuesday.
Midfielder Celso Borges is encouraged by what he has seen from the first two days in training and feels like the Ticos are primed to earn good results in the coming six days.
"We're doing well, seeing each other always makes us want to work," said Borges. "It's a good environment that we have here and we always try to translate that it to the field, so we hope things go well for us in these two matches," concluded Borges.
