Soccer-'Rebirth? We are not dead', says Costa Rica coach Suarez after Spain humiliation

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Costa Rica Press Conference - Main Media Center, Doha, Qatar - November 26, 2022 Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez during the press conference REUTERS/Gareth Bumstead

DOHA (Reuters) - Costa Rica coach Luis Suarez dismissed any notions of the team needing a 'rebirth' following their humiliating 7-0 loss against Spain in their World Cup group opener, saying they will not repeat the same mistakes against Japan.

Costa Rica came into the World Cup with a reputation for being a defensively strong side having conceded only eight goals in World Cup qualifiers but were ripped apart by a Spain team that barely allowed their opponents to have a whiff of the ball.