Group 3: Ticos tipped Costa Rica, Suriname, Haiti and El Salvador
Costa Rica are the fancied side to take top honours in this section. Despite a wobbly start to qualifying that included a 2-2 draw on the road in Grenada, the
Ticos look like the established class act of Group 3.
"We are in the group stages and that was our goal," said Costa Rica coach Hernan Medford. "Now we will need to focus on our task and get better than we have been up to now." The side, led by FC Sion man Alvaro Saborio and young star Celso Borges, will have to face some tricky away dates.
Haiti, reigning champions of the Caribbean, had a slow start to qualifying but are bound to be a tough prospect in Port au Prince, while the long trip to
Suriname, in the northeast corner of South America, is bound to take its toll.
El Salvador were the true surprise packages of the previous round, knocking out fifth-placed CONCACAF side and runners-up at the 2005 Gold Cup, Panama. The victory was a testament to the team's revival under coach Carlos de los Cobos and the home-field advantage of their Estadio Cuscatlan in the capital of San Salvador. Once a power in Central America, the Salvadorans are hoping to reach the finals for the first time since 1982.
FIFA.com - FIFA 
06-27-08, 04:12 AM
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