Soccer: Turkey beats China to reach second round

9.00pm

SEOUL - Turkey forgot the controversy and frustration of their opening two World Cup soccer games to reach the second round for the first time in their history with a 3-0 win over 10-man China in group C this evening (NZT).

Two goals in the first nine minutes from striker Hasan Sas and defender Bulent Korkmaz sent the Turks on their way to the last 16 ahead of Costa Rica on goal difference.

Midfielder Umit Davala made sure with a right-foot strike in the 85th minute.

Turkey, who had failed to get past the first round in their only other appearance at the finals in 1954, were jubilant after the match as their players celebrated in the centre circle.

Both teams finished on four points behind group winners Brazil, who beat Costa Rica 5-2 in today's other group C match, but Turkey's goal difference clinched the runners-up spot.

The Turks, who had been expected to be the second strongest team in the group, had two players sent off in an opening 1-2 loss to Brazil, which will be remembered for play-acting by Rivaldo. They then let in a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Costa Rica.

But Turkey finally satisfied their fanatical home fans with a convincing victory over the Chinese, who now leave their first World Cup without winning a point or scoring a goal.

A mistake by Chinese defender Li Weifeng on the edge of the box led to Hasan's opening goal in the sixth minute.

He took his chance superbly, cutting in from the right and blasting a shot over goalkeeper Jiang Jin.

Just three minutes later Hasan turned provider, putting over a dangerous cross from the left. Defender Bulent Korkmaz's looping header beat Jiang with striker Hakan Sukur poised to make certain had the ball not crossed the line.

China came close to their first World Cup goal in the 28th minute when Yang Chen hit the post with a fierce close-range shot after a cross from Hao Haidong.

They played some tidy soccer at times in from of a large contingent of China fans.

Midway through the second half, when Costa Rica had scored a second goal against Brazil, the Turks faced an early exit from the competition but Brazil's fourth goal was crucial and was cheered in Seoul as well as Suwon.

Shao Jiayi became the first Chinese player to be sent off in a World Cup finals match after a challenge on Emre Belezoglu just before the hour mark.

Hakan Sukur could have scored a third for Turkey in the 71st minute when his header forced Jiang to make a brilliant reaction save.

But Turkey finally got a third five minutes from time when Umit Davala struck a right-foot drive from 10m after a cross from Sas to seal a deserved first win at these finals.

- REUTERS

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