A day after firing Rodrigo Kenton, Costa Rica has appointed Brazilian coach Rene Simoes to head Los Ticos for the final two World Cup qualifying games. Kenton was dismissed after three straight losses, which dropped the team from first to fourth in the Concacaf group.

Simoes recently resigned from second division Portuguesa in Brazil when armed men threatened the players in the locker room after a loss. Simoes coached Jamaica at the 1998 World Cup and Brazil's women's team. In its last two qualifying games, Costa Rica hosts Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 10, then travels to the United States four days later. The Brazilian said he believes Costa Rica still has a good chance of qualifying. "A team that has 12 points in five games has to be strong," he said. "South Africa 2010 is possible because Costa Rica has a strong team."