- Title: JAPAN: RONALDO SCORES GOAL TO GIVE BRAZIL SEMI FINAL WORLD CUP WIN OVER TURKEY
- Date: 26th June 2002
- Summary: SAITAMA, JAPAN (JUNE 26, 2002) (REUTERS) 1. BRAZIL'S GILBERTO SILVA TACKLES TURKEY'S HASAN SAS 2. BRAZIL'S RONALDO AND TURKEY'S HAKAN SUKUR ARGUE DURING THE MATCH 3. RONALDO SCORES A GOAL AS TURKEY'S ALPAY OZALAN LOOKS ON 4. BRAZIL'S RONALDO CELEBRATES HIS GOAL 5. BRAZIL'S RONALDO CELEBRATES HIS GOAL WITH TEAM MATES CAFU AND KLEBERSON Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 11th July 2002 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SAITAMA, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Reuters ID: LVA8BVD5FMYS217B7DEIF3DFG5B3
- Story Text: Ronaldo fired Brazil into a World Cup final showdown
with Germany when he grabbed a 49th-minute winner to give the
South Americans a 1-0 semi-final victory over outsiders
Turkey.
Ronaldo's shot, which Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber
got a hand to but could not keep out, decided a tight tussle
at Saitama Stadium that the four-times world champions
thoroughly deserved to win, and will take them through to
their seventh World Cup final.
The goal lifted the Brazilian striker to the top of the
tournament scoring chart with six goals, one more than team
mate Rivaldo and Germany's Miroslav Klose.
It also set up the first ever clash at the World Cup
between Brazil and Germany, the two most successful sides in
the tournament's history with seven wins between them. Germany
beat co-hosts South Korea 1-0 in the other semi-final on
Tuesday (June 25).
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "We are very, very
happy. We expected to win by more goals but it didn't happen.
"We knew Turkey would be a tough opponent after the first
round match because they play hard in defence and especially
in midfield. I want to congratulate the Turkish players and
coach.
"I felt from the start of the match a positive energy from
the Brazilian supporters, the bench and the players. I felt
this energy and I'm sure the Brazilian supporters are happy."
Ronaldo will relish the chance to erase the memories of
the 1998 World Cup final in France when he was below-par in a
dazed display reportedly a few hours after he suffered a
convulsive fit as Brazil lost 3-0 to the hosts.
The twice World Player of the Year was replaced by Luizao
after 68 minutes, but Scolari said the substitution was made
merely "in order to keep him (Ronaldo) fresh for the next
match".
Turkey's coach Senol Gunes said his players felt the
effects of the huge expectations back home but praised his
team.
"We came to the World Cup to take part in the festival and
make an impact and I think we have achieved that goal," he
said.
"I am proud of my players. They have done superbly. I'm
sorry we couldn't give the Turkish people more happiness
today."
"There was a little bit of inexperience but also the
effects of the tension back home on the players. They were
expecting a lot from us and that led to some mistakes."
But forward Ilhan Mansiz, scorer of the golden goal
against Senegal that took them to the semi-final, was defiant
in defeat.
"Our morale was never broken," he said. "We missed a few
chances and we couldn't score but I wish Brazil all the best".
Turkey, playing in their first World Cup semi-final,
started brightly but were eventually overrun by Brazil's
attacking play.
Rivaldo, who was seeking a record-equalling sixth goal in
successive World Cup finals matches, carried the main
attacking threat for Brazil in a first half that quickly came
to the boil.
Turkey's short-passing game caused the South Americans
problems initially and Alpay Ozalan stretched goalkeeper
Marcos with a 20th-minute header.
Brazil were stung into a fierce response and Rustu did
superbly to save a fierce Rivaldo drive and the follow-up from
Ronaldo.
Rustu was suddenly under siege, denying Rivaldo, Roberto
Carlos and, bravely, Edilson before the interval as tempers
began to fray.
But if Rustu was Turkey's first-half hero, he was caught
out for Ronaldo's goal four minutes after the interval.
The Brazilian turned his marker well and bore down on goal
with customary menace but his poked effort with the outside of
his right foot from 15 metres lacked power and Rustu should
have done better than help it into the corner of the net.
Brazil, making light of creative midfielder Ronaldinho's
absence through suspension, continued to have the better of it
after that and Kleberson and Luizao, on for Ronaldo, could
have made their victory more comfortable.
Turkey go out with their heads held high, though, and
there was no repeat of the ugly scenes in Brazil's 2-1 victory
in the group game between the two sides on June 3 when two
Turks were sent off, the second after Rivaldo feigned injury.
Brazil now face Germany in the World Cup final on Sunday
(June 30) in Japan's port city of Yokohama. Since World War
Two, either the Brazilians or Germans have featured in every
final except one.
Turkey play co-hosts South Korea in the third-place
playoff in Taegu on Saturday (29 June).
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