Tiny Costa Rica sour China debut

Tiny Costa Rica spoiled China's World Cup debut yesterday, beating the world's most populous nation to top Group C ahead of Brazil. Thousands of Chinese fans saw their team hang on in a scrappy first half before going down to two goals in four minutes.

Another disappointment for China yesterday - other than the fact that Costa Rica is one of a handful of states recognising its diplomatic rival Taiwan - was the crowd.

Over a third of South Korea's Kwangju stadium was empty, highlighting an attendance problem plaguing the tournament.

"I have a special feeling for all the people of China. Some of them have made lots of sacrifices to be here and my thoughts go to them," China coach Bora Milutinovic said after the match.

Striker Roland Gomez grabbed Costa Rica's first with a curling left-foot strike in the 61st minute. Centreback Mauricio Wright scored the second, finishing off a neat move from a corner with a stooping header at the front post in the 65th.

Yesterday was a working day in South Korea and the crowd at the 43,000-seat stadium was a disappointing 27,217 people - despite reports that as many as 40,000 Chinese fans would descend on South Korea to witness their team's historic World Cup debut.

Those who did turn up made plenty of noise, wore red wigs and face paints, and waved Chinese flags throughout the game. But they were matched by a small band of whistle-blowing Costa Ricans, some of them sporting sombreros and cowboy outfits.

In truth, there was little to shout about for either set of fans for much of the match and they entertained themselves by launching 'Mexican Waves' around the ground - a sure sign their interest in events on the pitch was limited.

Milutinovic, who guided Costa Rica to the second round on their own World Cup debut in 1990, said before the match that they were the team China had the best chance of beating in a group that includes Brazil and Turkey. It was not to be.

The first half was marred by clumsy tackles. Costa Rica's Luis Marin and Mauricio Solis were both booked for late challenges. Chinese midfielder Sun Jihai was substituted with what looked like a minor knock and team-mate Li Tie was briefly stretchered off for attention.

The second half also started tamely before Gomez brought the game to life just after the hour.

His clever backheel set Paulo Wanchope through on goal and although his shot was blocked, Gomez was on hand to curl a left foot shot between two Chinese defenders into the far right-hand corner of the net.

Four minutes later Gomez collected a short corner, turned his man and crossed for the unmarked Wright to head home only his fifth international goal.

Coach Alexander Guimaraes said Costa Rica had to work very hard for victory.

"It was a very hard game, we knew China would be very strong and organised but as the game developed we knew we would get a chance and when it came we took it," he said.

"Today we played well for certain phases of the match and we know the team can grow from here."

Guimaraes said the victorious start recalled the 1990 World Cup in Italy at which Costa Rica beat Scotland 1-0 in their opening match.

"It's always good to start the World Cup with a victory just like last time in Italy," he said.

Guimaraes said he was not yet worrying about the match against Brazil, the country of his birth.

Costa Rica, a country of just 3.8 million compared to China's 1.3 billion, is one of a handful of states that still recognise Taiwan - which China considers a renegade province.

Group C
China 0 Costa Rica 2

China: Jin; Jihai (Bo 26), Zhiyi (Genwei 74), Weifeng, Chengying, Yunlong; Xiaopeng, Tie, Mingyu; Haidong, Chen (Maozhen 66).

Costa Rica: Lonnis; Wallace (Bryce 70), Marin, Wright, Martinez, Castro; Solis, Centeno; Wanchope (Lopez 80); Gomez, Fonseca (Medford 57).

Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece).

Scorers: Gomez 61, Wright 65.

Yellow cards: Tie (C), Yunlong (C), Xiaopeng (C); Marin (CR), Solis (CR), Gomez (CR), Centeno (CR).

HT: 0-0. Attendance: 27,217.