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OSAKA, Japan (Ticker) -- After leading the domestic league in goals this past season, Ilhan Mansiz led Turkey into the semifinals of the world's biggest tournament. Ilhan came off the bench to put home Umit Davala's cross four minutes into extra-time as Turkey reached the final four of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 triumph over Senegal. Turkey will face four-time World Cup champion Brazil on Wednesday for the second time during the tournament. These semifinalists also squared off in the opening match of Group C on June 3 with Brazil posting a controversial 2-1 victory. "Everybody in Turkish football has put in such a great effort," Turkey coach Senol Gunes said. "Right now, we're living one of the most important days." Davala, who scored the lone goal in Turkey's round-of-16 win over Japan, cruised down the right wing and picked out a sprinting Ilhan in the middle. The forward promptly buried the ball in the top left corner of the net. Hakan Sukur, Turkey's captain and all-time leader in appearances with 78, had yet to score in the World Cup and the striker continued to struggle against Senegal. That prompted Gunes to replace him in the 67th minute with Ilhan, who scored 22 times for Turkish club Besiktas during the 2001-02 campaign. "First of all, Hakan Sukur is one of the best players in Turkey. He has contributed extremely (well) in the past and we know he was a little bit unlucky today," Gunes said. "The one who replaced him (Ilhan) has been in recent years in good form. He scored the golden goal. Everyone played their part (today)." In fact, Ilhan almost struck with his first touch of the match, chipping the ball just over the bar from 18 yards away as Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva struggled to protect his net. Turkey will be seeking revenge against Brazil for perceived injustices in the teams' previous encounter. A bad call by Korean referee Kim Young Joo led to a spot kick, which was converted by Rivaldo in the 87th minute and lifted Brazil to its 2-1 win. Substitute Luizao had his shirt pulled from behind outside the area, but his forward motion carried the fall into the box, fooling the referee. Alpay Ozalan, who committed the infraction, was red carded, having been issued a yellow card earlier in that contest. Hakan Unsal also was sent off during the Brazil match for kicking the ball at Rivaldo, who disgracefully acted as if it struck him in the face. The Turks' progress through the field is remarkable considering their nation's only other World Cup outing came in 1954, when they were eliminated in group play. Additionally, it was less than 20 years ago that Turkey was considered one of the doormats of European football. During qualification for the 1986 World Cup, the national team managed to earn just one point in eight matches, scoring only two goals while conceding 24. "It is very normal that scores like this on the field make our people very happy," Gunes said. "We are proud to make them happy, but I also hope that these kinds of scores could make differences. Not only in football, but other areas such as social and economical." Despite coming close to scoring in the second half through El Hadji Diouf and Henri Camara, Senegal fell short of becoming Africa's first World Cup semifinalist. However, in its World Cup debut, Senegal became only the continent's second World Cup quarterfinalist. In 1990, Cameroon also reached the last eight. "The match went into extra-time, to a golden goal. It went one way, then the other," Senegal coach Bruno Metsu said. "We came up against a very good Turkish team. Luck and maybe talent made its choice tonight. "Turkey are a very, very good team with a lot of individual talent playing with some of the biggest clubs in Europe. We all know their own clubs, like Galatasaray, and if we look at the matches they have played, they have only lost once, against Brazil. ... So there is no doubt there is a lot of quality in this Turkish team." In a World Cup full of stunning results, Senegal established that climate on May 31. Pape Bouba Diop scored in the 30th minute and Senegal held on to shock defending champion France, 1-0, in a first-round matchup. "I have been pleased with our collective spirit and our sense of togetherness," Metsu said. "I am also very, very proud that such a small country can come to the World Cup and really rock the boat among the hierarchy of world football." Diouf's best opportunity against Turkey came seven minutes after the break from a free kick just outside of the box. But the 2001 African Footballer of the Year curled his shot just over the crossbar. Camara, who scored the golden goal in Senegal's round-of-16 victory over Japan, had his shot stopped in injury time. Only some poised defensive work by Senegal defender Omar Daf prevented Turkey from breaking the deadlock just before the interval. Hasan Sas' flicked pass was headed toward the net by Yildiray Basturk. But Daf kicked the ball clear just before it rolled over the line. Sukur had no excuse for failing to get off a shot for Turkey in the 27th minute. But as he looked up to check Sylva's positioning, the veteran allowed Sas' simple pass to roll under his foot as he tried to control it. Just two minutes earlier, Senegal had an excellent chance to grab the lead. Khalilou Fadiga sent his free kick behind a napping Turkish defense. But Pape Bouba Diop, who already has recorded three goals in the tournament, failed to get to the ball and add to his tally. Despite not adding to his World Cup totals of two goals and three assists, Sas once again ignited the Turkish attack and was named Man of the Match. |
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