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Turks take third, go home as heroes
DAEGU, South Korea (AP) -- Turkey capped its amazing World Cup run with a 3-2 victory over co-host South Korea Saturday, taking the bronze medal and a lot of confidence home after the nation's first appearance at soccer's premier event in 48 years. The Turks also claimed a World Cup record when veteran striker Hakan Sukur opened the scoring with a shot after 11 seconds against the co-hosts, improving a record set by Czech Vaclav Masek's goal in the 15th second against Mexico in 1962. Ilhan Mansiz, who scored the golden goal winner in the quarterfinal against Senegal, added another two against the Koreans. Turkey's only losses here were to Brazil, which was to meet Germany in Sunday's championship match at Yokohama, Japan. The team's performance here will give much hope back home that it has the talent to become a World Cup regular. "With our football I believe we have created an impact and we brought color into the World Cup," coach Senol Gunes said. "We saw no teams superior to us. "We relished the challenge and we played to win. Our mission was to develop (our) football and we did that ... we wanted to be the masters of the football field and we did that." The former Trabzonspor and Turkey goalkeeper said the seven-game schedule had been like a "marathon." "The target was very high and the players made sacrifices," Gunes said. "Our players are very sad about losing twice to Brazil, but the sadness lasted for only one day and we have new targets ahead of us." The squad would receive a heroes welcome, Gunes predicted: "They will understand when they get back to Turkey how huge a job they have done." "Here they only see the hotels, the training fields and the stadiums," he added. "When they get back, they will be telling these memories many years later to their children." Next assignment is the 2004 European Championship, but a rest is long overdue, he said. A 1-0 semifinal defeat at the hands of Brazil was Turkey's second loss to the "Canaries" in this World Cup. Three weeks ago, Brazil defeated the Turks 2-1 on a disputed penalty in the 87th minute by Rivaldo. Perhaps there was an element of deja vu. In Turkey's only other World Cup appearance in 1954, it lost twice to West Germany -- 4-1 and 7-2 although the second was in a playoff. After spending nearly half a century in world soccer wilderness, Turkey caused a stir by reaching the semifinals -- much like South Korea did by getting to the semifinals only to lose 1-0 to Germany. In 1954, Turkey's only victory was 7-0 over South Korea. Apart from the losses to Brazil, the Turks tied Costa Rica 1-1 and trounced World Cup finals rookies China 3-0. At the same time, Brazil was beating Costa Rica 5-2 in its final group match to send the Turks through to the second round on goal difference over the Central Americans. After beating co-host Japan 1-0 in the second round, they defeated Senegal with a golden goal by Mansiz in the quarterfinals. The Turks qualified from a weak group for the 32-nation finals after facing Sweden, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Macedonia and Slovakia in European qualifying. They finished second in their group, but still needed a playoff to reach the final 32. They won in style, defeating Austria 1-0 in Vienna and romping home 5-0 in Istanbul. Turkey's success was based on several factors. In 2000, Galatasaray became the first Turkish club to win the UEFA Cup, and the national side reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship for the first time in the same year. That triggered an exodus of talent from Turkish clubs to Parma, Inter Milan, Aston Villa and many others. Those players brought back a better understanding of soccer strategy and team play _ forming the base of Turkey's success in South Korea and Japan. The experience should give an advantage to the Turks in their quest to become regulars in the World Cup. They are determined not to sit on the sidelines of world soccer for another 48 years. "We were guests here. But we will be the host in Germany," Gunes quipped, referring to the next World Cup in 2006. Germany is like a second home for Turks, where 2.8 million live and work. But the Turks know if they qualify for the 2006 World Cup, they will feel even more pressure. "Next time, our job will be more difficult," Gunes said. |
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