CCTV.COM 2002-06-06 10:06:42
The ongoing FIFA World Cup held three matches on Wednesday. Russia beat Tunisia 2－0 in Group H in Kobe, Japan. The United States stunned Portugal 3－2 in Group D in Suwon, South Korea. And Germany drew with Ireland 1－0 in Group E competition.
In the first match played during the day, the Russians were dragged to a goal－less tie at half time after missing many scoring chances. The second half saw a change in the situation. In the 59th minute, Egor Titov took advantage of an error by Tunisian defenders and fired a volley home from the arc. Three minutes later, Russia's talented young striker Dmitri Sychev was brought down by a Tunisian defender in the penalty area, earning a penalty kick for Russia. Midfielder Valery Karpin shot home the penalty in the 63th minute, lifting his side to a 2－0 lead. The win puts Russia at the top in Group H, which also includes World Cup co－host Japan and Belgium, who drew 2－2 in their first group match on Tuesday.
In the following match, the United States shocked Portugal with three goals in the first 36 minutes, then held on for the upset to beat Portugal 3－2. The Americans struck early on John O'Brien's rebound in the fourth minute. In the 29th minute, an own goal by Jorge Costa gave the Americans their second chance. Brian McBride finished a diving header to score the third goal in 36th minute. The three goals are equal to their 1994 finals' total and more than they achieved in both Italy 90 and France 98. Portugal also received an own goal by Jeff Agoos, while Beto notched their first tally in the second half. The US will now face South Korea in a battle for what could be automatic qualification to the round of 16.
In the last match of the day, Germany drew Ireland 1－all. In the first half, the two teams traded offensive attacks. In the 19th minute, the German Miroslav Klose broke the Irish net with a header. The two sides maintained fierce attacks for the rest of the game. But in the last minute of the injury time, the Irish Robbie Keane broke the German gate to secure the 1－1 tie.
Editor:Hope CCTV.com
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