Cinderella men: Why Costa Rica are more than just dark horses

With death conquered, there is no fear left within Pinto and his Ticos

The greatest fairy tales of the world, whether manufactured by folklore or the multi-million dollar studios of Disney, always deliver what they promise.

Reality however limits the possibility of fairy tales to mere fiction, leaving us to keep our expectations in control and dreams achievable. However, when a true fighting story comes about in the world of sport, it's hard to not get swept away. Everyone loves a good underdog, but Costa Rica have gone out of their skin to prove that they'll give anyone a serious run for their money. Despite being placed in the so called "Group of Death" with three past World Cup winners, Costa Rica have defied every fathomable expectation and laughed straight in death's face.

For manager Jorge Luis Pinto, the fable was a hard eight years in the making. Having watched from the sidelines as the eventual champions carved open a humble Costa Rica, Pinto lay in utter admiration. Eight years on, Pinto has taken his motley crew of Costa Ricans, and effectively nullified any semblance on Italian attack. The result: the best giant killing that this World Cup has witnessed.

Fielding 11 players who play in 10 different leagues, would prove a stumbling block for most of the best teams. Pinto however could not have used it more to his advantage, as the unfamiliarity brooded to display a wide array of styles and attacks. So much so, that despite plying a defensive 5-3-2, Costa Rica have turned into the best counter attacking team in the tournament. Much of the attacking impetus lies with Costa Rica's prodigious Joel Campbell.

Loaned off by Arsenal, Campbell has found a more than welcoming abode in Olympiakos. Having formed a key cog in the Greek Champions' midfield, calls begun coming for his re-instatement into a perennially unfit Arsenal side. His dismantling of Manchester United in the Round of 16, gave everyone a definitive glimpse into the talent he possessed. Talent, which came to a crescendo against Uruguay.

Having already netted two brilliant goals, Campbell provided a sublime through ball for Los Ticos' third, leaving Uruguay reeling and Costa Rica celebrating. Perhaps the most underrated young talent in the tournament, Campbell's contributions are far from over. With their qualification to the last 16 sealed, Campbell could prove more devastating than he already is.

With every protagonist in a fairy tale, there is always one old seer who guides the young gun hero to greatness. Bryan Ruiz is Costa Rica's Chiron, guiding this Herculean effort forward in the tournament. After a disappointing two seasons at Fulham, Ruiz has come back in full gusto, leading his troops to the top of the so-called "Group of Death".

The maturity and experience he brings is absolutely essential to the Central Americans. With a starting 11, with players from 10 different leagues, you need a strong glue to hold the team together. Ruiz is that industrial level adhesive, commanding from the centre, leading from the front. It was perhaps only fitting, that his towering header solidified Los Ticos' path into the Round of 16.

Though skeptics might label Costa Rica's achievements as one-off, fortune only favours the brave. To put the South American champions and the runners up of Euro 2012 to the sword, requires much more than just mere luck.

With death conquered, there seems little that will faze Pinto and his army.