San Jose, Jun 22 (IANS): The president of Costa Rica telephoned the national soccer team to wish them success and show his support for the players in the 2018 World Cup Group E match against Brazil on Friday.

"We are with you with all the support from our heart. In Costa Rica we are in a time of many challenges but we are also with the squad and we are going forward," Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado was quoted as saying in the phone call to Captain Bryan Ruiz on Thursday, reports Efe.

Alvarado said the match against Brazil is "a big and difficult challenge" and reminded the players that, like the government, "the commitment" that the team must give "is to do their best" and "to represent the country with pride."

"Come on, boys. We are with you and we are all going to get up early with our messy hair and we will not even take a shower to watch the game," the President said, referring to the kick-off at 6 a.m. Costa Rican time.

After losing in the first match of Group E to Serbia 1-0, Costa Rica will face Brazil on Friday in Saint Petersburg.