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Italy 'serious candidate' to win

Vieri acknowledges the crowd after his opening goal against Ecuador

SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) -- Italy are solid and determined and serious contenders for the World Cup, Portugal's Italian-based midfielder Rui Costa has said.

"I believe a lot in Italy. Maybe even more than the Italians themselves because there was a lot of criticism in Italy before the World Cup," Rui Costa, who plays for AC Milan, told reporters on Saturday just hours before Croatia beat Italy 2-1. (Match report)

"I know the players and the trainer. It won't be a spectacular team but it will certainly be very solid and very determined. They can be serious candidates for the World Cup."

Portugal and Italy could meet in the second round, depending on where they finish in their groups.

Portugal, a team bristling with talent, lost their first group D game with a shock 3-2 defeat by the United States. They play Poland in their second game on Monday and co-hosts South Korea on June 14.

Rui Costa also paid tribute to the way England played to defeat Argentina 1-0 in group F on Friday.

"I liked Argentina very much in their first game and, with all due respect, England's coordinated and solid playing style came as a nice surprise," he said.

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