Costa Rica assistant coach Luis Marin has expressed his belief that his team's progression to the quarter-finals of the World Cup hinges on scoring an early goal against Greece tonight.

Both nations meet in Recife for their second-round encounter, and Marin claims that it is "crucial" for the Caribbean team to bag an early advantage.

"It's crucial for us to score early in the game, especially as Greece are known to tighten up at the back once they score," said Marin to FIFA.com.

"But we know it's going to be a tough game all round. Although they lost to Colombia 3-0, the goals they conceded were down to simple mistakes.

"Greece are also potent on the counter-attack."

The game kicks off at 9pm.