Costa Rica recorded a vital 2-0 win over Korea Republic in their Group A fixture in Suwon. The result edges the Ticos ever closer to a place in the last 16, while severely denting the hosts' chances of making a splash at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. With two defeats in two games, the prospects look bleak indeed for the Koreans.

And yet it had all started so promisingly for the boys in white. Cheered on by their vociferous fans, the Koreans attacked from the off and laid siege to Leonel Moreira's goal. Hemmed back in their own half, the Costa Ricans tried in vain to hit on the counter and were indebted to the home side's inability to find the killer ball. For all their first-half pressure, Park Kyung Hoon's charges never seriously threatened to open the scoring.

The second half started in a similar vein, with the Ticos seemingly content to absorb the pressure. And as the game entered the final quarter, coach Manuel Urena's tactics suddenly became clear. As the home boys ran out of steam, Costa Rica assumed total control. After seeing two clear-cut chances go begging, Marcos Urena finally put his side ahead on 85 minutes, with Jessy Peralta delivering the coup de grace in injury time.