Wanchope and Ticos look to go out in style

HAMBURG, Germany, June 15 (Reuters) Costa Rica striker Paulo Wanchope today said he was determined the Ticos would leave their mark on the World Cup in their final game despite a loss to Ecuador which ended their finals' hopes.

''The two losses hurt a great deal,'' he told reporters. ''We must make the most of it (the final game). We have one game left to show the world what Costa Rica can do.'' Wanchope, who announced in May he would quit international football following the finals, struck twice in Costa Rica's 4-2 loss to Germany last Friday in the Group A opener.

The Central Americans were desperate for a win to keep their tournament hopes alive, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Ecuador backline.

''We tried to play our game,'' Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes told reporters. ''We did have (scoring) opportunities and paid the price for not taking advantage of them.'' Guimaraes, who led Costa Rica at the 2002 finals where they exited at the group stage on goal difference to Turkey, took responsibility for his team's failure to get a result.

''I'm responsible for all the decisions made,'' he said. ''If these two games didn't ultimately turn out the way they could have, I will ultimately be responsible.'' Wanchope, who has 45 goals in 72 appearances for the Ticos, made little impact on the proceedings, despite an energetic start where he looked likely to add to his strikes against Germany.

Now in the twilight of his international career, Wanchope, 29, says he and his countrymen must make the most of their match Tuesday against Poland.

''It was difficult, very difficult,'' he said. ''I think we were better today then against Germany, we created far more chances.'' REUTERS SY ND2314