President Oscar Arias stood in the unfinished stands of the new stadium and looked out over a field of rusted stakes, large cylinders and other construction material, soon to form the home of the country's celebrated soccer team, La Sele.

Six months after beginning construction, progress is already rising above the chain-link fences on the western side of La Sabana.

On a site visit on Friday, Arias told media sources that the project was 40 percent complete in some areas, and just beginning in others, but that it looks to be on track for a February 2011 opening.

“When I see the speed in which this project is moving forward and the certitude of its completion, I see this as an enormous gift to the people of Costa Rica; for the athletes, for soccer players and sports fans,” said Arias, with a red construction hat sitting squarely on his head. “I think it will be a modern stadium … the best in Central America.”

The 35,000-seat stadium was a gift to Costa Rica by the Chinese, who convinced Arias to rupture ties with Taiwan to align his country with its neighbor.

“Looking back on the day I was in my house with the Chinese ambassador and he asked what his government could do at the time we were establishing relations, we thought the best project for the people of Costa Rica was a new soccer stadium,” Arias said. “I don't think we were wrong.”

Arias praised the work ethic of the Chinese, who have been on site 24 hours a day, commenting that Latin Americans have something to learn from them.

He also said the absence of rain may push construction ahead of schedule: “Regretfully, the lack of rain may be affecting our agriculture, but (fortunately) it's favored faster construction of this stadium.”

The president also had a few words to say about the country's World Cup prospects. After three consecutive losses and the expulsion of the head coach on Monday, Arias urged Costa Ricans not to give up.

“The only thing I want is (they have luck and play well) so that we can qualify,” said Arias. “This is in the hearts of all Costa Ricans and I am one of them.”