Soccer: Italy, Mexico, Turkey advance

7.45am

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Italy avoided the fate of former winners Uruguay, Argentina and France when they scraped through into the second round of the World Cup on Thursday with a 1-1 draw against Mexico.

Four times champions Brazil showed why they are favourites by beating Costa Rica 5-2 in a dazzling display of attacking soccer.

A goal five minutes from time by substitute Alessandro del Piero saved Italy's blushes although they would have qualified even if they had lost because Croatia, who finished third in the 1998 finals, went down 1-0 to unfancied newcomers Ecuador.

"Yes, we trembled but we are happy," Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni said.

The night's improbable results were the latest upsets of an astonishing World Cup that has already seen 1998 champions France and pre-tournament favourites Argentina flying home early.

Mexico, who enter the last 16 unbeaten in their three group G games, have never defeated Italy.

But they outplayed the three-time champions for much of the match and thoroughly deserved their 34th minute goal by Jared Borgetti, who in a moment of sublime skill directed an angled header into the top corner of the net.

A relieved Del Piero said: "If I had to say anything about the game, I'd say it was more or less okay. If we'd won I would be comfortable, but we've reached our objective of qualifying."

The match, played in Oita, Japan, ended in farce when both teams, knowing bottom-placed Ecuador's lead meant they would both go through, played keep-ball for the four minutes of injury time.

Croatia, who failed to recapture the form that took them past Italy 2-1, paid the price for playing too defensively, coach Mirko Jozic said.

"Our defence played too deep and the midfield followed," Jozic said. "At the end, our attackers lacked concentration and did not take their chances."

Italy finished the group in second place with four points, three behind Mexico, and will play the winners of group D -- South Korea, Portugal or the United States.

Mexico will play whoever comes second in group D, which stages its final matches on Friday, the last day of the first round.

Italy's laboured performance contrasted with the brilliance of Brazil, who turned on the style to score five goals in a finals match for the first time since the 1958 final against Sweden.

Costa Rica's defeat opened the door for Turkey, who defeated China 3-0, to reach the second round for the first time, going through from group C on goal difference ahead of the Central Americans.

Costa Rica battled bravely and missed several good chances but had no answer to the flowing football of the Boys from Brazil, who took their first-round goals tally to 11, the most they have ever mustered in the tournament's opening phase.

Following the shock elimination of Argentina and France, Brazil are now the bookmakers' firm favourites. But they know they have to tighten up in defence.

"Our attack was excellent but we had a lot of problems at the back," said Junior, the scorer of the fifth goal.

"Costa Rica created a lot of chances. We have to correct these mistakes."

Ronaldo, back to his ebullient best after a long absence through injury, maintained his record of scoring in every game.

Edmilson, with a breath-taking overhead kick, Rivaldo and an own goal by Luis Marin completed the scoring. Costa Rica replied through Paulo Wanchope and Ronald Gomez.

The Central Americans had started the day in second place in group C with four points -- two behind Brazil, who had already qualified, but three clear of Turkey.

But the combination of results meant they were eliminated because of an inferior goal difference to the Turks, who deservedly beat already-eliminated China in Seoul.

Two goals in the first nine minutes from striker Hasan Sas and defender Bulent Korkmaz sent Turkey on their way. Midfielder Umit Davala made sure five minutes from the end.

Turkey, who had failed to get past the first round in their only other appearance at the finals in 1954, were understandably jubilant after keeping a promise to their fans to reach the knock-out stage.

"We are very happy we kept our promise to the Turkish nation," coach Senol Gunes said. "Today we got a deserved victory."

The Chinese team, although cheered on by some 20,000 supporters, ended their first World Cup finals without winning a point or scoring a goal.

They played tidy football at times but struggled after Shao Jiayi was sent off just before the hour mark for a challenge on Emre Belezoglu.

"To have to play the second half with 10 players was very difficult for us," coach Bora Milutinovic said.

Brazil and Turkey will play Japan, Russia, Belgium or Tunisia in the second round of the 32-team tournament.

- REUTERS

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