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SAITAMA, Japan (Ticker) -- Ronaldo was declared fit for Wednesday when Brazil tries to advance to its third consecutive World Cup final in its semifinal clash with Turkey. A two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldo was hobbled by an injured left thigh. The superstar was replaced in the second half of Brazil's 2-1 quarterfinal victory over England on Friday. The Brazilians captured their record fourth World Cup title in 1994, when they edged the Italians on penalty kicks. Then, four years ago, Brazil was humbled by host France, 3-0. Even in its illustrious soccer history, Brazil never has reached three straight World Cup finals. Brazil was overlooked as a serious contender to win its fifth World Cup after struggling to qualify for Korea/Japan. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari credits his players for the turnaround. "I want to say that I respect all the players that have been around the national team in history," he said. "But I must say that I have never seen such a team defending the national colors with such a spirit, a fighting spirit. I think we are here in order to do our best job and we are doing it well and working well." Rivaldo and Ronaldinho scored on Friday and then a shorthanded Brazil side held on to post a triumph over England in the quarterfinals. Interestingly, when the South American side won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Brazil either tied or beat England en route to lifting the trophy. England did not qualify for the 1994 tournament. The 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year, Rivaldo will look to extend his goal-scoring streak at the 2002 World Cup to six matches on Wednesday. He is trying to become just the second player in history to score in every World Cup match. Another Brazilian, Jairzinho, accomplished the feat as part of the 1970 World Cup-winning side. Ronaldinho will be unavailable for the semifinal. The Paris St. Germain midfielder was issued a red card for a potentially dangerous foul on England's Danny Mills on Friday. Alpay Ozalan and Hakan Unsal already have served their respective red-card suspensions, which they received against Brazil during the opening match of Group C action on June 3. Brazil scored on a controversial penalty kick with three minutes left in a 2-1 victory over Turkey. The Turks felt hard done by a bad call by Korean referee Kim Young Joo which led to the spot kick converted by Rivaldo. Substitute Luizao had his shirt pulled outside the area, but his forward motion carried the fall into the box, fooling the referee. Alpay, who committed the infraction, was red carded, having been issued a yellow card earlier in the contest. Hakan Unsal also was sent off during the Brazil match for kicking the ball at Rivaldo. The Brazilian superstar acted as if the ball viciously struck him on the face, yet the ball hit him the thigh. Since falling to Brazil, Turkey has conceded just one goal in four matches. |
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