Brazil eyeing dominance over Costa Rica

Brazil's head coach Tite (2L), player Neymar and Willian during a training session in Sochi

Thursday Jun 21, 2018. 10:30

Brazil will want to get all the three points when they face off against Costa Rica on Friday in their second 2018 FIFA World Cup, Group E match.

The South Americans started their Group E encounter with a disappointing draw against Switzerland on Sunday.

Having netted first through a fine strike from Roberto Firmino, the Selecao failed to clear their lines and allowed the Swiss to come back.

Coach Tite’s troops were left frustrated in the end as they settled for a point, they now sit second in the group with a point from their draw.

On the other hand, Tite will also hope to see his star Neymar Junior fully fit for the match after limping out of training on Tuesday this week.

He had a knock on his ankle after their game against Switzerland on Sunday, but has urged his teammates to play good football on Friday.

“I hope we play a better game than in the debut against Switzerland and we want to win,” Neymar said.

“”We want to play well. We have seen footage of Costa Rica although the important thing is to play our football.”

Looking at Costa Rica, they are also desperate for a win to ease their concerns following a bad start with a loss to Serbia on Sunday.

They occupy the bottom of the table with zero points from a single game and a win will revive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Brazil and Costa Rica have met on nine occasions in the past and the 2014 World Cup hosts have won on all occasions.

The match will be staged at Saint-Petersburg Stadium on Friday afternoon at 14:00 (CAT).