Soccer: Golden goal frees tired lions

By ANDREW LONGMORE in Osaka

The World Cup semifinals have assumed a weird kind of symmetry.

Turkey's golden goal by Ilhan Mansiz ensured a rematch against Brazil on Wednesday night and put paid to what Bruno Metsu, the Senegal coach, termed the "exceptional adventure" of his side.

So no African nation has yet reached the semifinals of the cup.

There was none of the controversy in Osaka that marred South Korea's epic march to a semifinal against Germany.

But both matches featured a meeting of old, established power and thrusting new upstart. Turkey had not qualified for the cup finals since 1954; South Korea had not reached the second-group stage in five previous attempts. A Turkey v South Korea final? Do not bet against it. Neither Germany nor Brazil have been entirely convincing.

Turkey's victory over Senegal was more clear-cut than the golden goal might suggest. Had Hakan Sukur, their exalted striker, not spurned chance after chance in the first half, Turkey would have won the match well before the lottery of extra-time.

But at least when Umit Davala delivered the last of a number of crosses into the Senegal penalty area and Ilhan scored with a beautifully clean half-volley, there could be no argument. Indeed, there was even the sense in the body language of the Senegalese that defeat was a blessed release.

Turkey have earned their place in the last four but, when this world tournament's dust has settled, questions have to be asked about the performance of some assistant referees, who have slowly reduced it to a farce.

Spain's complaints after their penalty shoot-out defeat by the co-hosts echoed those of Italy a few days earlier.

Italy went home muttering darkly about conspiracies; Spain will do the same.

No one would choose a learner to drive a Formula One car, but that has been the result of Fifa's ill-conceived bid to broaden the experience of officials from lesser countries.

Frightened of making a mistake, the assistant referees have consistently reinterpreted the offside law to suit themselves and fluffed elementary decisions on whether the ball has gone out or not.

No one, though, could question Turkey's superiority in the chaotic first half, but they could not get the ball into the net.

The key moment was in the 68th minute when Ilhan came on to replace Hakan Sukur.

Like many other Turkish players, Ilhan's identity is deeply confused. He was born and raised in Bavaria. For some time, he found it difficult to settle in either his own country or that of his parents. It was only when he finally returned to Germany to play for a Turkish-run club in the regional leagues that his career began to assume an upward curve.

Further seasons with Augsburg and Cologne brought him a transfer to Samsunspor, in Turkey, and then on to Besiktas, where last season he finished top scorer in the Turkish league with 21 goals.

One more success for Turkey and victory for Germany over South Korea will bring an emotional collision for Ilhan and the other two German-born players in the Turkish side, Yildiray Basturk and Umit Davala.

"It might be cheeky to say it," said Ilhan, "but why not a final against Germany? We don't have to lose to Brazil."

Turkey are the least of the surprises in this tournament. Their side is peppered with experienced players who learned their trade in more intimidating atmospheres than the Nagai Stadium in Osaka and, as in the previous victory against Japan, they just knew a little too much for their opponents.

There had been signs that Senegal might implode. On Thursday, one training session had been aborted, another abandoned and journalists, welcome at all hours, were banned from the team hotel for the day.

Metsu thought his players were feeling the exhausting effects of their improbable debut on football's biggest stage.

Yet, their combination of eccentric defending, tactical freewheeling and lightning counter-attack made the Lions of Teranga worthy successors to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 12 years ago. The fuel just ran out on Saturday.

"It was very difficult for us," said the splendid Salif Diao, the scorer of the best goal in the tournament so far. "When they scored, it was like coming out of a dream.

"But we're very happy to have given so much pleasure to the African people. I think that's more important."

- INDEPENDENT

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