 Brazil were the main beneficiaries of this tense draw between Turkey and Costa
Rica, with the result meaning the South Americans qualify for the second round
of the World Cup.
Emre Belozoglu's goal early in the second half separated the sides until
substitute Winston Parks slammed in a late equaliser.
The second qualifying place remains delicately poised between today's
contestants with Costa Rica needing a result against Brazil, and Turkey having
to score a hatful against China to make sure they progress instead.
The 50,000-capacity stadium at Incheon was filled to the roof that crowns this
spectacular ground, a significant number of seats having been given as rewards
to local volunteers.
As it was they witnessed a match that did not catch fire until the dying
minutes. It was 10 minutes before there was an effort on goal of note, Paulo
Wanchope volleying a bouncing ball a yard over the bar.
Umit Ozat was similarly close from a long-range free-kick, his effort whizzing
past an upright, before Erick Lonnis fielded Hasan Sas' dipping shot.
Sas nearly broke through the Costa Rican ranks after a clever free-kick
routine but Gilberto Martinez flung himself in front of the Turkish midfielder's
low drive.
Shortly after the half-hour, Costa Rica put together an excellent break but
when Ronald Gomez sent Walter Centeno through, the midfielder blasted over with
only keeper Rustu Recber to beat.
The central Americans looked to have plenty of skill, but the slow pace to
their game played into Turkey's hands, and each pass was a vital second too late
to cause danger.
Turkey had the necessary extra quality and in Sas a player of real verve.
Early in the second half he weaved through the defence and earned a corner,
from which Hakan Sukur sent a flicked header past the far-post.
Hakan Sukur then had an even better opportunity when Tugay's ball over the
defence put him clear, but he sliced his shot badly wide.
Missing the target became contagious, and Costa Rica picked up the bug when a
drive by Gomez from 18 yards flashed a couple of yards the wrong side of the
post.
Ten minutes into the second half, Turkey managed to get their aim right and
took the lead through an excellent individual goal by Emre.
Sas chested down the ball to Emre on the edge of the area, the little
midfielder feinted to shoot, cut into the box and though Martinez managed to
block his first effort he tucked the rebound past Lonnis at the near-post.
Costa Rica at least came out and had a go but were guilty of two awful misses,
Wilmer Lopez and Mauricio Solis both blasting into the stratosphere after some
attractive build-up play by their team-mates.
Manchester City striker Wanchope then ran at the Turkish defence and slipped
Lopez through but he could not beat Rustu from a narrow angle, while Winston
Parks goal-bound strike was blocked by the forceful Umit.
With four minutes left, Parks did manage to force the equaliser. Wanchope
headed on a long ball, Hernan Medford managed to sweep it back across goal and
Parks finished superbly.
Turkey's goalscorer Emre then provoked ugly scenes when he pushed a Costa
Rican team official who was holding the ball after it had got a throw-in.
Dozens of people from both benches became involved and Emre was fortunate to
escape with a booking when the dust settled.
In injury time, Parks had a chance for real glory when he rounded the keeper
and the goal beckoned but the angle was too tight and his shot looped into
touch.
Costa Rica
Lonnis, Marin, Wright, Martinez, Castro, Solis, Lopez (Parks 77), Wallace (Bryce 77), Centeno (Medford 66), Gomez, Wanchope. Subs Not Used: Chinchilla, Cordero, Drummond, Fonseca, Mesen, Morgan, Rodriguez, Sunsing, Vallejos.
Goals: Parks 86.
Turkey
Rustu, Asik, Akyel, Ergun, Ozat, Davala, Tugay (Erdem 88), Basturk (Nihat 79), Emre, Sas, Sukur (Mansiz 74). Subs Not Used: Abdullah, Alpay, Izzet, Korkmaz, Okan, Omer, Tayfur, Unsal, Zafer.
Goals: Emre 56.
Att: 42,299 |
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