Borges gives Costa Rica win over South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Two goals from Celso Borges gave Costa Rica a 3-1 win over South Korea on Tuesday in a friendly.

Borges scored either side of halftime at Seoul World Cup Stadium as Uli Stielike was beaten for the first time as South Korea coach in his second game in charge.

Seven minutes before the break, Borges swept home a low shot from just inside the area following good work from Bryan Ruiz.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Son Heung-min's low cross from the right was turned in by Lee Dong-gook just before halftime.

Seconds after the restart, Borges back-heeled his team back in front. Then, with 12 minutes remaining, Oscar Duarte headed home a corner despite South Korean complaints of a foul on goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu in the build-up.

"Korea worked hard, pressed hard and didn't give us much space," Costa Rica coach Paolo Wanchope said. "We defended well however and we took our chances when they came. We are very happy with the win. This is not an easy place to come."

South Korea also had a late goal ruled out for offside.

"It was a defeat but not a big one," Stielike said. "Though the result was negative, the players showed their power, pace and will to win. We have to keep working hard on our game in order to get better results."

South Korea is preparing for the Asian Cup in Australia in January and play in a group containing the hosts as well as Kuwait and Oman.