Last 16 not enough says Costa Rica midfielder

Recife (Brazil), June 29 (IANS) Costa Rica’s midfielder Michael Barrantes said that qualifying for FIFA World Cup’s knockout stage was not enough for his team and they had dreams of going further in the tournament.

Costa Rica, who will face Greece here Sunday, finished top of the “Group of Death” by stunning Uruguay 3-1 and Italy 1-0. It is the first time they have reached the last 16 in the World Cup since 1990, reports Xinhua.

“The atmosphere of our team is calm and relaxed, but it is not this kind of feeling that we have already made the important step,” said Barrantes.

“We are writing the history of football for our country, we trust ourselves and have no sad feeling about our game. We want to go as far as we can,” the 30-year-old added.

Barrantes only played twice as a substitute for Costa Rica in the group stage, but that does not bother him.

“The substitutes can put pressure on starters to play well on the pitch. We are waiting for the opportunity to play to tell the coach that he can count on us,” he said.