SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (CMC):

History-making Brazilian coach René Simoes has been appointed new coach of Costa Rica, replacing Rodrigo Kenton, who was fired following three straight losses in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign.

Best known for guiding Jamaica's Reggae Boyz to their first and only World Cup Finals in France 1998, the 56-year-old Brazilian was appointed on Wednesday, a day after Kenton was terminated.

The Costa Ricans' World Cup campaign has plunged into trouble after they were sailing at the top of the standings.

Their recent flurry of defeats - going down to Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador - left them fourth in the standings on 12 points, trailing the USA, with 16 points, Mexico (15) and Honduras (13).

Results needed

The Costa Ricans need good results in their remaining games - hosting Trinidad and Tobago on October 10 and away to the USA on October 14 - to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

The top three teams automatically qualify for the World Cup Finals and the fourth-place team will play off with the fifth-place side from the South American qualifiers to get to South Africa.

"South Africa 2010 is possible because Costa Rica have a strong team," Simoes told reporters.

Simoes resigned last month after only two weeks as coach of the Brazilian second-division club Portuguesa, after saying armed men threatened the players in the locker room after a loss.