Soccer Shorts

■ Costa Rica
Coach quits over threats

Costa Rica's World Cup coach Alexandre Guimaraes quit his post on Monday after receiving phone threats at his home, he told a press conference. Guimaraes had a contract with Costa Rica until 2010, but said it was not worth continuing in the job under the threat of violence against him and his family. "If I had not been under police protection I don't know if I would have been here today [Monday] for this press conference," Guimaraes said. The Brazilian, a naturalized Costa Rican, said that since his return he had endured the wrath of supporters who blamed him for his country's first round exit in Group A.

■ Brazil

Roberto Carlos steps down

Brazilian Roberto Carlos has quit international soccer. After 10 years and 128 caps, the Real Madrid defender is stepping down to allow young talent to come through, he said on his official Web site on Monday. "On the Selecao [Brazilian national squad] my story has ended," Carlos said. "I want to open space for new blood. I hope I can give this number six jersey to someone who might carry on this victorious history," he said.

■ PUNTERS

Kissinger tips France to win

Henry Kissinger, the aging statesman who constructed the pioneering US opening to China in the 1970s, says experience will count most in the final rounds of the World Cup. That's why he has tipped France to win. "If the French can play three games in a row with this aging team, as they did against Brazil, I think they have a good chance," he said. Kissinger gave an interview to the German ambassador to the US, Klaus Scharioth, that was published on Monday on the embassy's Internet Web site.

■ Brazil