WORLD CUP NEWS

World Cup Results: Mexico 2-1 Ecuador; Torrado game-winner clinches win for Los Tri; Costa Rica 1-1 Turkey, Odd Pairing leads to flat match; Japan 1-0 Russia, Hosts inhospitable to visiting Russians, and more… June 10, 2002 - STM Staff

Mexico 2-1 Ecuador
Miyag, Japan

Mexico won their second consecutive game in World Cup group play with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over newcomers Ecuador. Los Tri-Colores will qualify for the second round with a tie against Italy on Wednesday.

Mexico were shocked early when Ecuador scored inside the 5th minute on a glancing header from Augustin Delgado off a Ules De La Cruz cross. The Mexican defense got caught napping early and were made to pay. No chance for Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez who managed to get a fingertip on the ball, but only tipped into the underside of the crossbar.

Credit to Head Coach Javier Aguirre whose side composed themselves after the early goal and took control of the match. This is not the Mexico we saw in CONCACAF qualification.

Forward Jared Borgetti brought Los Tri level in the 28th minute, finishing a lovely cross from Ramon Morales with a first time redirect into the far post side netting.

Mexico pushed ahead in the 57th minute and never looked back after midfielder Gerado Torrado curled in a shot from 20yards out into the back corner of the far post.

Mexico will play Italy in the final group match for both nations. With everything to play for, expect a wide open match for Mexico tempered by a lighting fast Italian counter-attack.

Anyone can advance from this wide open group. It will come down to the last day of Group G play to decide who packs their bags and who extends their hotel bill.
-----

Costa Rica 1-1 Turkey
Incheon, South Korea

Los Ticos of Costa Rica played to a 1-1- tie with Turkey in one of the oddest pairings in group play of the 2002 World Cup. Neither nations looks to figure in the later stages.

Turkey got on the board first when Emre Belozoglu found the back of the net in the 56th minute.

Winston Park gave the Tico fans something to cheer in the 86th minute when he won a goal-mouth scramble and slammed the ball into the top of the net to draw the Costa Ricans level.

Group C is firmly locked up by Brazil who have two wins to their credit against China 4-0 and Turkey, albeit controversially, 2-1. They are clear favorites to advance and will most likely be playing come the end of the month when things get very serious.

Costa Rica will play Brazil in the final game of Group C play for both nations and have it all to do against the four-time champions. Turkey (0-1-1) needs to beat China and make-up a huge three-goal differential to find their way into the promise land.
----

Russia 0-1 Japan
Yokohama, Japan

2002 World Cup co-hosts Japan sent their entire country into celebration after a tight 1-0 win over Russia in Yokohama in front of a packed house.

Arsenal back-up midfielder Inamoto rocked the stadium when he scored on another brilliant solo effort in the 51st minute for his second goal of the tournament.( Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger is looking like a genius right now).

Japan (1-0-1) can clinch a ticket into the Round of 16 with a victory over Tunisia on Thursday.

The match was a fast paced affair that has highlighted this installment of the World Cup. Japan and Russia traded forays into each others penalty areas, but it was Japan who had the better of the play and the emotional edge.

Russia will need to beat Belgium in their final match of Group H play if they are to advance. The Russians were not without their chances, but failed to convert in crunch time.
----

RESULTS & STANDINGS