Whilst most eyes will be focused on the England match.....don't forget there's also G. Speed memorial match... Canny player, should be a good turn-out... ............................................................................................ A sell-out crowd is expected at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday evening as Wales take on Costa Rica in the Gary Speed memorial match. Emotions will be running high as fans and former team-mates gather to pay tribute to Speed, who died last November. The FAW wants the occasion to be a celebration of the former Wales manager's life, with fundraising for a number of charities nominated by Speed's family taking place before and after the game. Welsh musicians, including Super Furry Animals and Bryn Terfel, will perform ahead of kick-off while former international team-mates of Speed, including Ryan Giggs, John Hartson, Mark Hughes, Neville Southall and Robbie Savage, will be introduced to the crowd at half-time. Speed's two sons, Ed and Tommy, will lead the teams out onto the field. Their opponents, Costa Rica, were chosen as they were the side Speed made his Wales debut against back in 1990. The Welsh side won 1-0 that night in Cardiff thanks to a goal from Dean Saunders, the only time they have faced the Central American nation. Memory Chris Coleman has been appointed as Speed's successor, though he is keen to point out that he does not see this as his first game, instead diverting the attention onto Speed's memory. With the focus very much on remembering their former manager it is perhaps easy to forget that this Welsh side are on a fine run of form that has seen them shoot up the FIFA rankings, rising from 117 last August to their current position of 42. They have won their last three games and are seeking to win four in a row for the first time since 1981. Costa Rica meanwhile are ranked 63 but are unbeaten in their last three games, including a creditable 2-2 draw against world champions Spain in San Jose last November. Their assistant coach is former Derby and West Ham striker Paulo Wanchope.
