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<span class="vitstoryheadline">Shots on goal</span>
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<span class="vitstorydate">06/14/2002</span>
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<span class="vitstorybyline">By STEVE DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News</span>
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SHOTS ON GOAL</font></b>
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    <b>Best player:</b> The skillful effort of Gerardo Torrado, one of 
    Mexico's few to play beyond the border (Spain's Seville) was essential as 
    his team's midfield outplayed Italy's far more expensive unit.

    <p>
      <b>Best karma:</b> Turkey was unlucky earlier in a match where meek 
      officiating aided Brazil. But Brazil put a goal-difference-wrecking five 
      by Costa Rica, which helped Turkey advance.
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    <p>
      <b>Best redemption:</b> Alessandro Del Piero, who suffered tremendous 
      criticism after laboring through France '98, had not left the bench in 
      Asia. Then he came on with 13 minutes to go and supplied a game-tying 
      goal.
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      <b>Command performance:</b> Mexico's Jared Borgetti tallied gorgeously 
      for the second consecutive game, twisting at full speed to expertly 
      guide his header into Italy's goal.
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      <b>Best soccer spirit:</b> Advancement assured, Brazil could have 
      enjoyed a slow Sunday drive in its first-round finale. But the Samba 
      Soccer kings put on a show, 5-2, over Costa Rica.
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      <b>Best little team going home:</b> Costa Rica had <i>mucho</i> muscle. 
      But this is what happens when you allow five goals, which scuttled the 
      Ticos' previous edge in goal difference.
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    <p>
      <b>Bad luck:</b> Local Irish soccer-friendly pubs, Tipperary Inn, The 
      Dubliner and Trinity Hall among them, are bummed that Ireland's 
      second-round clash landed on a Sunday. The places will show the game &#8211; 
      but can't serve suds until noon on Sundays.
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    <p>
      <b>Best new stat:</b> FIFA is keeping individual defensive stats. 
      Statistically speaking, Senegal's Omar Daf has been tops in the 
      tournament, leading in tackles committed (&quot;takeaways&quot; and interceptions, 
      basically).
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GOLAZO!</font></b>
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    You try hitting a net with your back to the goal, with the ball twisting 
    in from an odd angle. Brazil's Edmilson made it look easy, leaping 180 
    degrees to connect with his twisting side volley, which Costa Rica's 
    players never saw coming.

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