Paulo César Wanchope Pressures Miguel 'Piojo' Herrera Regarding Joseph Mora's Role
Following a recent victory, the Deportivo Saprissa coach highlighted the impact of defender Joseph Mora and his potential World Cup opportunities.
Paulo César Wanchope, head coach of Deportivo Saprissa, acknowledged in a recent press conference that he is applying pressure to Miguel Herrera, the national coach of Costa Rica, concerning the management of defender Joseph Mora.
Wanchope's comments came after Deportivo Saprissa secured a 1-0 win over Herediano, a match in which Mora was notably absent due to a planned rest after his participation in a key World Cup qualifying match for the Copa Oro.
Wanchope expressed his satisfaction with Mora's contributions to the team, stating, "I spoke with him and told him I would address Herrera regarding the fact that he played 90 minutes, and just two days later, we had a match." Despite his absence against Herediano, Mora has remained a vital asset for Saprissa, having played in 14 of 15 matches in the current season, accumulating 1,165 minutes on the field and providing five crucial assists, leading the team in this statistic.
In praising Mora's performance, Wanchope emphasized his consistent professionalism and reliability over the years, remarking, "Joseph Mora is what we call a low-profile player, and his career has been very steady.
He possibly hasn't received enough recognition and the opportunity to play in a World Cup."
Mora's performance has not gone unnoticed by Herrera, who in January noted the defender's exceptional play during a friendly match against the United States, asserting that Mora was the standout player of that game.
Herrera noted, "The left-back was exceptional.
Mora had great runs and crosses.
I must reiterate that three days is a short time to work, but I saw elements we trained that we can enhance further."
Wanchope's remarks reflect a broader context within Costa Rican football, where the dynamics between club-level success and national team selections continue to be scrutinized as the World Cup approaches.
His intention to advocate for players like Mora underscores the competitive environment as coaches vie for national recognition while managing their teams during an intensive season.
Wanchope's comments came after Deportivo Saprissa secured a 1-0 win over Herediano, a match in which Mora was notably absent due to a planned rest after his participation in a key World Cup qualifying match for the Copa Oro.
Wanchope expressed his satisfaction with Mora's contributions to the team, stating, "I spoke with him and told him I would address Herrera regarding the fact that he played 90 minutes, and just two days later, we had a match." Despite his absence against Herediano, Mora has remained a vital asset for Saprissa, having played in 14 of 15 matches in the current season, accumulating 1,165 minutes on the field and providing five crucial assists, leading the team in this statistic.
In praising Mora's performance, Wanchope emphasized his consistent professionalism and reliability over the years, remarking, "Joseph Mora is what we call a low-profile player, and his career has been very steady.
He possibly hasn't received enough recognition and the opportunity to play in a World Cup."
Mora's performance has not gone unnoticed by Herrera, who in January noted the defender's exceptional play during a friendly match against the United States, asserting that Mora was the standout player of that game.
Herrera noted, "The left-back was exceptional.
Mora had great runs and crosses.
I must reiterate that three days is a short time to work, but I saw elements we trained that we can enhance further."
Wanchope's remarks reflect a broader context within Costa Rican football, where the dynamics between club-level success and national team selections continue to be scrutinized as the World Cup approaches.
His intention to advocate for players like Mora underscores the competitive environment as coaches vie for national recognition while managing their teams during an intensive season.
