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(FIFAworldcup.com) Although long respected for displaying an enviable devotion to attack, Costa Rica was not exactly a bright footballing light in the summer of 1990.

But after an impressive qualifying campaign, in which they took full advantage of Mexico's suspension for fielding overage players in a youth tournament, the Ticos finished in first place in the final CONCACAF preliminary group and roared through to join the United States as the region's contenders at the 14th FIFA World Cup? finals in Italy.

At a time when CONCACAF still received only two berths at the finals (as opposed to three and a half today), the absence of regulars Mexico ? long considered the most acceptable face of New World football ? meant little was expected of the pair who had made it onto the world's biggest stage. But despite the USA's elimination in the group stages, Costa Rica took full advantage of their spot at the table.

Coached by Serbian globetrotter Bora Milutinovic ? who four years earlier had guided hosts Mexico to within a hair's breadth of a semi-final berth ? things were looking brighter than expected from the start, despite the pundits' low expectations.

One man keen to produce for the three-time CONCACAF champions was Alexandre Guimaraes. Born in Brazil, the naturalised Costa Rican played his club football for San Jose giants Deportivo Saprissa and was considered a leading light in the squad. Now on the other side of the touchline as head coach, Guimaraes is looking to the 'spirit of 1990' to inspire the new crop of Ticos as they get set to line up in Germany ? his second consecutive finals at the helm.

"Our performances in Italy set the stage for future successes," he told FIFAworldcup.com. "Qualifying for our first ever World Cup and then making the last 16 was a very special thing. It made me unbelievably happy."

Where it all went right

Drawn with Brazil, Scotland and Sweden in a difficult-looking Group C, most in the know expected the faint flicker of Tico hope to be extinguished early in Italy. But their first match against finals regulars Scotland brought a sensation.

Saprissa man Juan Arnoldo Cayasso's strike in the early moments of the second half coupled with the unforgettable acrobatics of goalkeeper Gabelo Conejo earned the Central Americans three points in their first FIFA World Cup outing in Genoa. And though that probably would have been enough to raise the spirits of the folks back home suffering an unprecedented economic downturn, the team continued on their unlikely run.

After stretching mighty Brazil before losing 1-0 in Turin, the Costa Ricans returned to Genoa where they shocked a heavily fancied Swedish outfit. Goals in the last quarter-hour from foraging full-back and captain Roger Flores and the legendary Hernan Medford ? now coach of the Saprissa side that finished third at the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship ? were enough to overturn Johnny Ekstroem's early opener for Sweden.

The win sent Bora and his boys into the rarefied air of the knockout rounds and despite losing 4-1 to a strong Czechoslavakia side, they had more than announced their arrival on the world stage. (Indeed they still remain the only Central American side to have reached the second round.)

A lasting legacy

After missing out on the finals in 1994 in the USA and France four years later, Costa Rica returned in Korea/Japan in 2002 where ? despite going out in the first round ? they turned many a head with their style and grace. Paulo Wanchope, Ronald Gomez (both of whom are expected to lead the line in Germany) and a veteran Medford all contributed as they defeated China, drew with Turkey and even managed to trouble Brazil in a breathtaking 5-2 thriller. In the end, though tied with eventual semi-finalists Turkey on points, the proud Costa Ricans went home on goal difference.

As they get set for their third finals in 16 years, the goal of the now 45-year-old Guimaraes is to try and repeat Costa Rica's heady feats of Italia 90. He is hoping the class of 2006 can show the form and self-belief of that fateful year - and is also looking to use the lessons of their second finals campaign four years ago after what, in truth, was a less than inspired qualifying campaign.

"The plan we've put in place has drawn on the lessons of the last tournament and is geared towards preparing the side better," he explained as he looked ahead to the Ticos' group matches against hosts Germany, Ecuador and Poland. "It's effectively the same side that played at the last World Cup. They have been together since 2002 and have accumulated a wealth of experience."