Soccer Team Loses to Mexico

TWO indisputably beautifully placedshots within the first nine minutes of thefirst game in the final eliminatory roundof the 2006 World Cup Wednesdaydemoralized Costa Rica’s national soccerteam and proved enough to beat the Ticoson their own turf.Costa Rican star forward PauloWanchope, who returned home fromMalaga, Spain, scored at the end of thefirst half, but what looked at first like aTico rally was the team’s only score.When the final whistle blew, the moodat the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in Tibás,north of San José, was gloomy.Now, Ticos hope the loss won’t taintthe rest of the round. Eyes are now on thenext nine games.