Costa Rica 1 Turkey 1
Emre 56; Parks 86



I felt so sorry for Turkey after the Brazil game, that I guess I was rooting for them in this. Or trying to. They really didn't play as well as they did against Brazil (something to do with suspension of two players, no doubt). Sas was disappointing and Suker was a blank, as usual. He hardly moves his facial muscles, let alone his bodily ones. Time to find a new star striker, Turkey!! Anyway, the first half was a bit of a drag, but the 2nd a little more like it with attempts at both ends. Emre's goal was a consequence of stubborn perseverence by the little man. His first shot was saved, but he wriggled and squirmed to get in another, which just squeezed past the post. After that, it was really the Costa Ricans who had the upper hand (and they amazingly never looked like they were ruffled - no creases to their kits, no sweat to their brow). Parks' equaliser was a little like Emre's, although totally different!!

Can't get too excited about today's games. I take it that Brazil are definitely through to the knock-out stages now though. Costa Rica appear to be the favourites to join them. Although, if Brazil thrash them in the last group game - and Turkey come away with a monstrous goal tally against China, then twill be they.

Teams

Costa Rica: Lonnis, Marin, Wright, Martinez, Castro, Solis, Lopez (Parks 77), Wallace (Bryce 77), Centeno (Medford 66), Gomez, Wanchope.

Booked: Martinez, Castro.

Turkey: Rustu, Asik, Akyel, Ergun, Ozat, Davala, Tugay (Erdem 88), Basturk (Nihat 79), Emre, Sas, Sukur (Mansiz 74).

Booked: Asik, Tugay, Emre.

Att: 42,299

Ref: C Codjia (Benin).

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