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Long shot Winless Trinidad pushing for shocker against Costa Rica
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) -- Trinidadian coach Rene Simoes acknowledged Friday the odds were against his last-placed team for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against front-runners Costa Rica, but urged his team to push for an upset. "The odds are against us as a team and a nation ... [but] the squad does not give up or lose spirit," said Simoes on Friday. At 4-1-1, first place Costa Rica is ahead of the United States on goal quantity in the six-team round robin CONCACAF qualifying. Trinidad is in last place. The team has not managed a win and has only one tie at home against Mexico. The three top teams from the group will qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. "This victory will boost our chances of qualifying for the World Cup finals, so we are determined to get a positive result here, even if we are away from home," said Costa Rica coach Alexander Romaris, after watching his team practice in Port-of-Spain on Friday. Costa Rica will field eight international players, but will be without star Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope, who is out on suspension. He was the team's leading striker in July's Copa America in Colombia, when Costa Rica made it to the quarterfinals. Trinidad's soca-warriors will be without stars Dwight Yorke of Manchester United and Russell Latapy of the Glasgow Rangers.
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