Brazil vs. Costa Rica: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Brazilโs first post-Copa America friendly sees them make the trip to Harrison, New Jersey, for a clash with a Costa Rica side still smarting over their quarter-final exit to Mexico in the Gold Cup.
Dungaโs squadโwhoโll also face the USA in Foxborough, Massachusetts, next Wednesday features seven uncapped players but also familiar faces such as skipper Neymar and the recalled Kaka, who these days plays in MLS for Orlando City.
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The Brazilians will see the match as perfect preparation for the start of World Cup qualifying next month, when theyโll face Copa America champions Chile as a gruelling phase of matches gets under way en route to Russia 2018.
Their opponents here come laden with experience and with plenty of the names that reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil last year, with the supporters in New Jersey doubtless looking forward to a memorable contest.
Date: Saturday, 5 September, 2015
Time: 9 p.m. BST / 4 p.m. EDT
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
TV Info: BeIn Sports
Live Stream: BeIn Sports
Recent Results
Brazil
Won 2-0 vs. Mexico (Friendly)
Won 1-0 vs. Honduras (Friendly)
Won 2-1 vs. Peru (Copa America)
Lost 1-0 vs. Colombia (Copa America)
Won 2-1 vs. Venezuela (Copa America)
Drew 1-1 vs. Paraguay, lost on pens (Copa America)
Costa Rica
Lost 2-1 vs. Spain (Friendly)
Drew 2-2 vs. Mexico (Friendly)
Drew 2-2 vs. Jamaica (Gold Cup)
Drew 1-1 vs. El Salvador (Gold Cup)
Drew 0-0 vs. Canada (Gold Cup)
Lost 1-0 vs. Mexico, after extra time (Gold Cup)
Team News
Brazil
Dunga initially dropped Liverpoolโs Philippe Coutinho from the squad for these two matches, only to hand the playmaker a recall when Chelseaโs Ramires and Oscar pulled out injured.
Kaka is back in the Brazil fold for the first time in a year and could win his 90th cap, although skipper Neymar seems certain to start and play at least 45 minutes after recovering from recent ailments to start for Barcelona.
Of the seven uncapped players in Dungaโs squad, Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista is perhaps the most intriguing, and he comes into the side having played his part in back-to-back clean sheets for the Gunners against Liverpool and Newcastle.
LA Galaxyโs Juninho also earns a first call-up after impressive form in MLS, but Dani Alves, Thiago Silva and Marcelo are all out.
Possible XI: Jefferson, Danilo, David Luiz, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Fernandinho, Elias, Willian, Hulk, Neymar, Firmino.
Costa Rica
Most of new coach Oscar Ramirezโs big-hitters are available, although this game has come a little too soon for Evertonโs Bryan Oviedo as he continues his comeback from a long spell out with a broken leg.
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas is in line for a 63rd cap despite being at the centre of the transfer confusion between Real Madrid and Manchester United over David De Gea, while Bryan Ruiz will again captain the side and Arsenalโs Joel Campbell is expected to start up front.
This clash is Ramirezโs first as his nationโs head coach, having replaced the disgraced Paulo Wanchope after the former forward got into a fight on the touchline.
Possible XI: Navas, Diaz, Gonzalez, Calvo, Gamboa, Borges, Tejeda, Venegas, Ruiz, Campbell, Saborio.
Key Players
Brazil: Roberto Firmino
It has been a gradual start to life in the English Premier League for Liverpoolโs new signing Roberto Firmino, who was left on the bench by Brendan Rodgers for his sideโs first two matches before starting the second twoโand being substituted in both.
Having quickly become a key player for his national teamโfor whom heโs scored four goals in 10 gamesโheโll be looking forward to linking up with Neymar here, having been asked to perform without him for a lot of the Copa America following the Barcelona starโs red card against Colombia and subsequent suspension.
Costa Rica: Bryan Ruiz
Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz can these days be found in Portugal with Sporting, which is a lot more preferable than scrapping around in the Championship with Fulham.
A star of his nationโs improbable World Cup run, Ruiz is a symbol of his national team and will be relied upon by Ramirez in the months and years ahead, starting here.
Odds (via Oddschecker)
Brazil: 1-2
Costa Rica: 11-2
Draw: 7-2
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