Despite the bad results during Costa Rica's training camp, head coach Alexandre Guimaraes suggests his team is capable of beating the Germans in the World Cup 2006 opening match.

Guimaraes was also coaching the squad during the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. Costa Rica are more experienced now and Guimaraes has altered the style of play in the team. "The whole squad are very motivated," he told representatives from the press.

"There is no reason why we should not play well and who knows what can happen?"

Paulo Wanchope, their all-time leading scorer with 43 goals including eight in the qualifiers, is the man who can damage the German defence. He has played in European Clubs and is very experienced when it comes to crucial International matches.

After some disappointing results during the qualifiers, Alvaro Saborio and Carlos Hernandez brought freshness in the team and considerably contributed to Costa Rica's qualification.

Defenders Harold Wallace, Luis Marin and Gilberto Martinez, midfielder Walter Centeno along with forward Ronald Gomez were also in the squad during the last World Cup.

Traditionally, the big teams are having trouble during the World Cup opening matches. Pressure is high on the German team to kick-start the tournament with an impressive performance and every German fan expects his team to win.

This situation adds a lot of pressure to Germany's players and Guimaraes is fully aware of the situation. Costa Rica will try to take advantage of this, despite the fact that most of the spectators will be Germans.

"I know we have not had good results in our recent preparation games but I am sure my players will know what to do when the time comes tomorrow," Guimaraes said, referring to Costa Rica's results at the friendly warm-up matches. "I am sure they will raise their game."

Guimaraes said that Costa Rica will try to do what Senegal did to France in the 2002 opening match. "I don't know if we can repeat what Senegal did to France four years ago," he said.

"For sure that kind of result is always possible and it is a great source of motivation for the team. In this game, anything can happen."

The coach stressed that the team is in a perfect condition and that "Everyone wants to play in this game because it is so important". When asked about Michael Ballack's injury, he said that his team has been prepared to play against "Germany the team, and not to play against one man".

"It doesn't matter to us if Ballack plays or not," he said. However such a loss for the German side is surely an advantage for his team, despite the fact that he does not acknowledge this.

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