OSAKA, Japan – Let the fans in the stands and the folks back home proclaim
it the greatest victory in Turkish sports history. The World Cup team
itself has loftier goals in mind.
Moments after Turkey beat Senegal 1-0 in overtime Saturday night on
substitute Ilhan Mansiz's brilliant deflection, thoughts turned to the
semifinals. The Turks are in a hurry to get some revenge against Brazil,
then win the whole thing.
"We don't care how strong Brazil is," said Umit Davala, whose run down
the right side and perfect cross was turned into the far corner of the
goal by Mansiz's right foot. "We have many good players."
They did against the tired Senegalese, who couldn't keep up the frenetic
pace that had made them one of the big surprises in their first World
Cup. Turkey controlled the ball for most of the game – just as it must
against the classy Brazilians, who beat England 2-1 in their
quarterfinal.
And the Turks, 2-1 losers to Brazil in the opening round on a late,
controversial penalty kick, believe they are performing as well as
anyone in soccer's showcase event.
"Brazil is one of the best teams in this tournament and everyone knows
that and sees that," coach Senol Gunes said. "The first game, we didn't
deserve to lose. It was a mistake by the ref. But we have showed our
strength in other games. We deserve to be in the semifinals, once again
against Brazil."
Against Senegal, Turkey had a big edge, but couldn't finish. Each of
Senegal's defenders made an outstanding play to help goalkeeper Tony
Sylva, but none of them could do anything on the game-winner.
At the other end, the Senegalese showed little of the spark and
creativity that carried them to a stunning upset of defending champion
France in the World Cup opener. They couldn't break down the Turks the
way they finally did Sweden in overtime in the second round.
Gunes wasn't concerned when Saturday's game was 0-0 through 90 minutes.
He could even joke about it after Mansiz ended it four minutes into
overtime.
"My players have watched many extra-time games on TV before," he said.
"Maybe they wanted to try one."
No matter what Senegal tried, it was stymied, partly because of fatigue,
mostly because it rarely had possession. But that didn't mean the World
Cup wasn't a remarkable experience for the newcomers.
"We came here small," said El Hadju Diouf, the African player of the
year who was mostly invisible against Turkey. "We left big."
Coach Bruno Metsu, a Frenchman who allowed his players the freedom to be
adventurous on the field, called them "heroes."
"It's been an exceptional adventure here at the World Cup," he said. "I
am very proud a small country like Senegal can come to the World Cup and
compete among the best in the world."
After Mansiz beat Lamine Diatta to the pass and turned it into the far
corner of the net, hundreds of flashbulbs went off. The Turks dived on
each other along the right sideline, then hurried en masse to bow before
their rooting section at the far end.
Back in Turkey, fans streamed out of homes, shops and cafes, singing
"Champion Turkey," waving flags, dancing, singing and giving each other
high-fives.
Many supporters dressed in the team jersey or wore the country's
national colors. Some painted their faces red and white, while young
boys in Ankara could be seen sporting freshly shaved Mohawk hairdos like
Davala.
Imagine if they beat Brazil.
"When we advanced to the second round, we thought: what an achievement,"
Mansiz said. "But this is beyond anyone's dreams."
And hardly over, they claim.
As for his team's chances of advancing to the finals in Turkey's first
World Cup in 48 years, Gunes added: "It's 50 percent for us, 50 for
Brazil. But the quality of our play is increasing in every game for us
and that is a big advantage."
The Turks patiently and ruggedly have moved forward through the
tournament. After losing to Brazil, they tied Costa Rica and routed
China to advance. Then they knocked out co-host Japan.
And as the pounding beat of Senegalese fans' drums picked up, so did
Turkey's attack. The Turks controlled the ball for long periods and came
close when Mansiz barely missed high in the 69th minute.
The Turks continued to push forward, but couldn't break through in
regulation time. In fact, the final threat before overtime came from
Senegal and showed just how worn out the Africans were.
On a counterattack, the ball came to Henri Camara in the middle of the
penalty area. The star of the victory over Sweden could manage only a
low shot that sprawling goalkeeper Rustu Recber covered.
Then Mansiz struck, and the Turks had their rematch with Brazil.
"Turkish football has risen," Gunes said, "and it continues with the
World Cup."
At least until Wednesday, which is much longer than anyone could have
imagined.
