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Czechs beat Costa Rica in World Cup warmup
(AP)
Updated: 2006-05-31 08:47

JABLONEC NAD NISOU, Czech Republic - Jan Koller started his first international game since injuring his knee in September, leading the Czech Republic over Costa Rica 1-0 Tuesday in a tuneup for two teams bound for the World Cup.

The Czechs, a U.S. opponent in group play next month, got an 82nd-minute goal from substitute Vratislav Lokvenc, who headed in a cross from Libor Sionko.

Lokvenc entered in the 71st minute to replace Koller, whose last game for the national team was a 4-1 win over Armenia in a World Cup qualifier Sept. 7.

Koller, the Czech Republic's career scoring leader, had several solid chances Tuesday. He had nine goals in the Czech Republic's World Cup qualifying campaign before tearing ligaments in his left knee while playing in the German league.

Costa Rica, heading for its second straight World Cup and third appearance overall, lost to Ukraine 4-0 Sunday. It begins World Cup against host Germany and then will face Poland and Ecuador in Group A. The Czechs open against the United States on June 12 before playing Ghana and Italy in Group E.