In terms of their past meeting history, Korea and Costa Rica appear to be fairly evenly matched, with the hosts winning their last meeting in January 1-0, the visitors coming out on top in 2006 and 2002, and a 2-2 draw back in February 2000. However, this summer's World Cup was quite a different experience for each.
The Central American side shocked all by emerging out of their group which contained European duo England and Italy as well as Uruguay--all of whom had won World Cup tournaments in the past--and so many had already written them off as an easy win as the other three sides would fight it out for just two slots.
Well, not only did they get out of their quartet, but they managed to do so without defeat, beating Uruguay and the Azzurri and holding the Three Lions to a draw. Even more impressive was that they did not resort to "parking the bus" like how many would have predicted, and after powering past a highly defensive Greece through spot-kicks, successfully pushed 2010 World Cup runners-up Holland to a penalty shoot-out that proved to be in favor of the Oranje.
And despite bowing out, they were undoubtedly the Cinderella story of this year's World Cup and have seen their stock in the world rankings rise as a result. Los Ticos certainly haven't been suffering from a post-Brazil hangover, though as they have continued their rich vein of form by winning or drawing their last four qualifying and friendly fixtures.
On the other hand, Korea experienced disappointment this summer as they were dumped out of the group stages with just one point from their three games. The 2002 World Cup co-hosts, who won fourth place a dozen years prior had been coached by retired defender Hong Myung-bo were jeered and booed by fans upon their return home. Subsequently, the former captain, who was hailed just 12 years ago as part of that historic side, handed in his resignation papers and has now been replaced by German tactician Uli Stielike.
The hosts' post-World Cup friendlies have been an improvement, as they enjoyed wins against Venezuela and Paraguay on each side of a 1-0 reversal versus Uruguay, and so Costa Rica will represent the fourth Spanish-speaking side they will entertain over the past couple of months. Certainly, the visitors, still basking in the aftermath of their impressive Brazilian adventure will be feeling confident, but the home team will also be hoping to continue re-building as they seek to put their World Cup disappointment well behind them.
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