SAN JOSE, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- New Costa Rica head coach Ronald Gonzalez said Tuesday that his only "non-negotiable" goal is to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
To do so, the Central American team will rely on a blend of youth and experience while playing an attacking brand of football, Gonzalez said during his official presentation to the media.
"There is only one goal, there is no other and it is not negotiable, and that is to reach the World Cup in Qatar. That's what we are going to prepare for," the former Costa Rica international defender said.
The 49-year-old was confirmed as Los Ticos manager on Monday, less than a month after Uruguayan Gustavo Matosas vacated the role because of "boredom".
Gonzalez's first match in charge will be a visit to Haiti on October 10 for the CONCACAF Nations League.
"We will see a Costa Rica team that likes to have the ball and attack," he said. "We will obviously have to defend when necessary, when the opponent has the ball, but we will not forget our essence."
Gonzalez made 65 international appearances for Costa Rica from 1990 to 2000 and was a part of the team's 1990 World Cup campaign in Italy.
His coaching career has included a three-year spell at the helm of Costa Rica's U-20 side and two previous stints as interim manager of the senior national team.
