WALLDORF - Costa Rica may only ever have reached the second round of the World Cup once and are playing in the finals for only the third time.
Yet the 350-1 shots, who exited at the group stage in 2002 but made the last 16 in 1990, are confident they can cause a major upset and beat hosts Germany in Friday's tournament opener.
According to the "Ticos'" veteran striker Paulo Wanchope, the Germans, under pressure to perform on their own soil, should be running scared ahead of the showdown in Munich.
"I don't see any problem with Costa Rica being able to beat Germany," said former Manchester City star Wanchope, who has 67 caps.
"Regardless of it being Germany that we're up against you just have to go out there and win the game. Our way of doing things is to try to play good, attractive football."
"We have been working very hard," added Wanchope, the best known member of Costa Rica's squad, having enjoyed successful spells in England with Derby, West Ham and Manchester City before a stint in Spain with Malaga.
The 30-year-old, now with Herediano after a spell in Qatar, comes to the finals plagued by knee trouble but according to team doctor Gerardo Artavia "there's no danger of him missing out."
Wanchope is Costa Rica's all-time leading scorer with 43 goals but his appearances have been restricted by a string of serious knee injuries.
However, the player insists he is 100 percent fit.
The team later set off by train for Munich ready for Friday's game, with Poland and Ecuador to come after the Germans.
06/07/2006 15:55 GMT