Thursday Mar 23, 2017
Costa Rica’s Ramirez aims to repeat personal Azteca history
Head coach Oscar Ramirez (pictured) has Costa Rica atop the CONCACAF Hexagonal table after two rounds of games. (Photo: Victor Straffon/Straffon Images)
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Costa Rica head coach Oscar Ramirez is one of the rare individuals with an ability to say that he has a perfect record as the visiting manager at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.
In his lone match at the famed venue, Ramirez led Alajuelense to a 1-0 win over Club America on the last week of 2013/14 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League group-stage play. The result eliminated the host from the competition and confirmed the Manudos’ place in the quarterfinals.
Now in charge of Costa Rica, Ramirez will be looking to achieve a similar feat on Friday, when his team faces Mexico on matchday three in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Ticos (2W-0D-0L, 6 points) top the Hexagonal table with maximum points from two games, while Mexico is second with four points.
“They are different circumstances,” said Ramirez at a Wednesday press conference, after being asked about the momentous triumph against Club America. “What it was with [Alajuelense] was a group that had been coming together. The boys had a great performance.”
While Ramirez was hesitant to say that his experience of winning at the Azteca could be a factor Friday, the former Costa Rica international believes his squad is well prepared for the encounter.
“They are always different things, in that moment it was a team and it was difficult because it was to play against America,” the 52-year-old finished. “I feel that now years have gone by, I think studying the opponent gives you tranquility of taking the match as it comes. We have done serious study and we have sent that to the player.”
