Costa Rica played a very patient game Tuesday and were rewarded with a convincing 2:0 victory over China, who were making their World Cup debut, in Gwangju, Korea. Costa Rica got goals from Ronald Gomez and Mauricio Wright, both in the second half.

With the win, Costa Rica now has a share of the top spot in Group C with Brazil. China is in a less enviable position, being in last place and having to turn their fortunes around against powerhouse Brazil on Saturday.

The Korean fans came out in full force Tuesday, with a large contingent cheering on the Chinese side, and a smaller, yet just as enthusiastic contingent carrying both the Korean and Costa Rican flag rooting for the Costa Rican team.

The two teams played a scoreless first half, with both sides getting some quality opportunities to take the lead. China started out strong, showing the speed and aggressiveness that brought them to the finals. They, however, also showed that a potential Achilles heel for them during the rest of the tournament could be the inability to finish, as they had trouble getting off quality shots all game, let alone scoring.

The Central American team found their confidence soon afterward and carried the play for much of the rest of the first half. Mauricio Solis had the best opportunity, having been sent in alone against China's goalkeeper Jiang Jin. But Solis had to shoot from a tough angle and Jin had no trouble making the stop. Later on in the half, Paulo Wanchope reached a center from Harold Wallace, but his header sailed wide of the post.

Costa Rica was finally able to get on the scoreboard, in the second half, when Ronald Gomez got a hold of rebound off a kick from Wanchope and put it past Jin to the upper right corner. Gomez then set up Wright with a nice, short pass, which Wright headed in, only four minutes after Costa Rica's first goal.

China also suffered a blow when their star defender Sun Jihai left the game in the 26th minute with an injury.

Costa Rica's next game is against Turkey on June 9. (Glen Choi, glen@chosun.com )