National soccer team coach Alexandre Guimaraes and his unsuccessful team better look into getting political asylum in Germany, if the opinions of average Ticos have any weight.

As the team was falling 3-0 to Ecuador Thursday morning, grown men were crying in San José. For some here the team is an extension of self, and by failing to qualify for the second round of the World Cup, the national selección delivered a crushing mental blow.

Most put more blame on Guimaraes than the team, although Costa Rica’s weak attack and lackluster defense was obvious.

Costa Ricans gathered at the intersection of Avenida Central and Calle Central where a giant screen mounted on a commercial building brought the bad news.

The Ecuadorians who live here, although jubilant, were well inside the nation’s embassy celebrating. Most of the responses from red-garbed soccer fans were pensive and guarded. But the extreme disappointment was obvious. Perhaps, too, there was a bit of embarrassment for the team which has not distinguished itself on the world stage.

Costa Ricans are very sensitive, and even a small international achievement gets a strong welcome here. An international embarrassment does not play well.

The defeat a week ago by the host German team earned a stiff upper lip here. Newspapers called the game honorable, and Costa Rica did score twice against Germany’s four goals.

The 3-0 defeat Thursday is close to a rout in low-scoring soccer.  And against Ecuador?

The so-called sele may be able to redeem itself if it defeats winless Poland Tuesday before coming home. As far as the World Cup, the game means nothing. The winner places third in the four-team division, and the loser places last. Neither advance to the next round.

If Costa Rica loses, asylum might be the way to go.