Costa Rica to take Japan place at Copa America
Reuters - Tuesday 17 May 2011, 23:01
SAN JOSE - Costa Rica have decided to
accept an invitation to replace Japan at the Copa America, the
Central American country's Football Federation president Eduardo
Li said on Tuesday.
"We have taken the decision to take part in the Copa
America," Li, whose squad will take one of two berths for guest
teams in the July 1-14 tournament, told reporters.
"We can go with an Olympic team, an under-23 (side) with
five reinforcements basically over 23 years of age."
Japan pulled out on Monday after failing to get the release
of European-based players and facing a problem with J-League
clubs whose season has been extended into July following the
earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country in March.
Costa Rica, guests at their fourth Copa America, will go
into Group A with hosts Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia. They
held visiting Argentina to a 0-0 draw in a friendly in March.
"We want to raise the name of Costa Rica at international
level and the more so in a tournament like this one," added Li.