SAN JOSE, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rica manager Fernando Batista said Wednesday he is focused on re-establishing the national team's connection with its fans.
Batista will take charge of Costa Rica for the first time in a competitive fixture when the team hosts Curacao in their CONCACAF Nations League opener on Thursday.
"We want to build a competitive team that can make the fans fall in love with us again," Batista told a news conference.
Batista was appointed Costa Rica manager in February, replacing Miguel Herrera after the team failed to qualify for this year's FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010.
He has already sat in the dugout for four friendlies, losing to Iran, Colombia and England, and drawing with Jordan.
The 56-year-old Argentine said his side would not underestimate Curacao, which appeared in the World Cup for the first time at this year's edition in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
"I understand the fans are a bit upset, but it's up to us to prove it on the field," Batista said.
"I expect a competitive, intense team that will play against a national side coming off the World Cup. Hopefully, starting tomorrow when the Nations League begins, we can show the idea of what we want as a team, show people that we are in the process of developing an idea, and start showing things for everything that comes next."
Costa Rica will also face Haiti away, Nicaragua away and Haiti at home during the current FIFA international window, which ends on October 6. ■