Costa Ricans advance with World Cup qualifying win

Costa Rica became the first team to advance to next year's North American final qualifying for World Cup 2010 in South Africa by defeating host Suriname 4-1 here Saturday.

Walter Centeno scored in the 10th minute to give Costa Rica the lead for good and Bryan Ruiz added another in the 37th minute.

Armando Alonso made it 3-0 before Clifton Sandvliet answered for Suriname in the next minute but Armando Solis netted the clinched for the visitors in the 77th minute.

Costa Rica improved to 4-0 in CONCACAF Group C qualifying with two matches remaining to secure a place in next year's six-team round-robin regional tournament that will decide three qualifiers for South Africa.