World Cup 2006 Analysis

Venue : Allianz Arena, Munich

Capacity : 65,000

Referee : HORACIO ELIZONDO (Argentina)

German

Formation : 4 - 4 - 2

Coach : JURGEN KLINSMANN

Goalkeepers : 1 LEHMANN Jens

Defenders:
3 FRIEDRICH Arne(Hertha Berlin, GER),
16 LAHM Philipp(Bayern Munich, GER),
17 MERTESACKER Per(Hanover 96, GER),
21 METZELDER Christoph(Borussia Dortmund, GER)

Midfielders:
7 SCHWEINSTEIGER Bastian(Bayern Munich, GER),
8 FRINGS Torsten(Werder Bremen, GER),
18 BOROWSKI Tim(Werder Bremen, GER),
19 SCHNEIDER Bernd(Bayer Leverkusen, GER),

Strikers:
11 KLOSE Miroslav(Werder Bremen, GER),
20 PODOLSKI Lukas(FC Cologne, GER)

Costa Rica

Formation : 3 - 5 - 2

Coach : ALEXANDRE GUIMARAES (Brazilian)

Goalkeepers : 18 PORRAS Jose(Saprissa, CRC)

Defenders:
3 MARIN Luis(Alajuelense, CRC),
4 UMANA Michael(Brujas, CRC),
12 GONZALEZ Leonardo(Herediano, CRC)

Midfielders:
6 FONSECA Danny(Cartagines, CRC),
5 MARTINEZ Gilberto 
8 SOLIS Mauricio(Comunicaciones, GUA),
10 CENTENO Walter(Saprissa, CRC),
20 SEQUEIRA Douglas(Real Salt Lake, USA)

Strikers:
9 WANCHOPE Paulo(Herediano, CRC),
11 GOMEZ Ronald(Saprissa, CRC),

Previous World Cup Meeting : NO

This is the opening match of world cup 2006, there will be lot pressure on German. German have never lost a competitive match against a team from North or Central America.

Costa Rica have won their opening matches at both their previous world cup, beating Scotland in 1990 and China in 2002.

Costa Rica is a mixture of young and experienced players whereas the Germans are known all around the world and are experienced enough to win this opening game.