INCHEON, South Korea, June 9 (UPI) -- Substitute Winston Parks nearly completed a Costa Rica comeback and put his country in the second round but for an incredible open-net miss Sunday in a 1-1 draw against Turkey in Group C.
Parks came in for Wilmar Lopez in the 77th minute and scored the equalizer nine minutes later. But he could not convert the winner in the 90th minute. He broke loose on the left flank, got around Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber, but, with an open net in front, kicked the ball wide.
Parks scored the tying goal on a good sequence by "The Ticos" as a long free kick was headed towards the goal by Hernan Medford to Walter Centeno. Centeno flipped the ball over Recber and the defense to an open Parks, who dented the back of the net from close range.
"It was a great experience for me to score a goal in a World Cup match," Parks said.
A victory would have put Costa Rica into the second round with six points, but with four points, it now must tie Brazil in the final group match.
"Now we have four points," said Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes. "We are in good position to earn other points to make it to the next phase."
Turkey has one point and faces China in the last group game.
"We scored the first goal against Brazil, we've got our first point against Costa Rica, so we areconfident that we'll win against China," said Turkish coach Senol Gunes of his team's outlook.
Emre Belozoglu followed his own rebound with a nice turn and slotted the ball on the short side of goalkeeper Erick Lonnis to give Turkey the lead after 56 minutes.
Belozoglu picked up the ball outside the Costa Rican box, advanced in the middle but had his initial shot blocked by Gilberto Martinez.
Costa Rica, which beat China 2-0, was unable to finalize a few other good scoring opportunities in the second half.
Ronald Gomez worked himself free of the Turkish defense in a central position, but his drive was wide and high after 51 minutes.
In the first half, Gomez also wasted a clear chance after splitting the defense, but with just Recber in front, he powered the ball way over the bar.
Paolo Wanchope displayed his skills with a fine through pass to Lopez in the 65th minute, but Lopez had his shot from a tough angle booted aside by Recber.
Turkey missed defender Alpay Ozalan and midfielder Hakan Unsal -- two key elements in the lineup -- due to red cards issued in the 2-1 loss to Brazil.
