Sports

Strong second half lifts Japan over Costa Rica 3-1 in World Cup warm-up match

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Costa Rica forward Bryan Ruiz celebrates after scoring against Japan during the first half of a friendly soccer match Monday, June 2, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (The Associated Press)

Costa Rica forward Bryan Ruiz (19) battles with Japan forward Keisuke Honda (4) for the ball during the first half of a friendly soccer match Monday, June 2, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (The Associated Press)

Yasuhito Endo, Shinji Kagawa and Yoichiro Kakitani scored second-half goals Monday night to help Japan warm up for its World Cup appearance with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica.

Japan failed to take advantage of several opportunities before breaking through against Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas when Endo scored in the 60th minute.

Kagawa snapped a 1-1 tie in the 80th minute, and Kakitani added his goal in injury time before 7,106 at Raymond James Stadium.

Bryan Ruiz scored for Costa Rica in the 31st minute.

The teams have one more warm-up match in the United States, with Japan facing Zambia in Tampa and Costa Rica meeting Ireland in Philadelphia on Friday.

Both play World Cup openers on June 14.