Published January 13, 2015
Turkey had to work overtime to get exactly what it has been asking for: a World Cup semifinal rematch with Brazil.
Substitute Ilhan Mansiz deflected a perfect cross by Umit Davala four minutes into the extra session Saturday night, lifting one of the longest shots from Europe past surprising Senegal, 1-0.
Three weeks ago, the four-time champions edged the Turks 2-1 on a late, controversial penalty kick.
Now, the Turks, who dominated the match with the Africans, get another shot at the classy South Americans. The way this World Cup has gone, don't count them out on Wednesday night in Saitama, Japan.
Their fans certainly aren't. After Mansiz beat Lamine Diatta to the pass and turned it with his right foot 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.
In their first World Cup since 1954, the Turks patiently and ruggedly have moved forward. After losing to Brazil, they tied Costa Rica and routed China to advance. Then they knocked out co-host Japan.
Against Senegal, one of the sensations of this topsy-turvy tournament, Turkey almost always had the ball. The Senegalese, in their first World Cup, looked tired, lacking the spring and spark that carried them over defending champion France in the tournament opener, then into the second round, where they beat Sweden in overtime.
They, too, saluted their fans after the game, waving their shirts and clapping. But it was not the end they envisioned, and no African team has ever gotten to the final four.
Their best player, El Hadji Diouf, just missed high with a dangerous free kick from 20 yards early in the second half, but otherwise the African player of the year didn't make his presence felt.
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.
The Turks continued to push forward, but each member of Senegal's defense made an outstanding play to keep it scoreless through 90 minutes.
But the final threat in regulation time 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 area. All he could manage was a low shot that sprawling keeper Rustu Recber covered.
The first half was miserable for Turkish striker Hakan Sukur. The team captain missed four scoring opportunities, including botching a 2-on-1 in the Senegal penalty area.
Sukur was wide open in front of goalkeeper Tony Sylva, but he allowed Hasan Sas' pass to roll under his foot without getting a shot.
Moments later, Sukur slowed down on Sas' long pass into the area that clearly was within reach with a slight burst of speed. The ball went out of bounds.
Then Sukur managed only a weak header from in front, followed by his coming up a step short on a fine cross from Ergun Penbe.
But at least he was finding free space. Hardly anyone else on Turkey was until, in the 44th, Yildiray Basturk's header downward had Sylva beaten. But, out of nowhere, defender Omar Daf made a sliding save off the goal line.
Senegal also had a few first-half scoring chances, particularly when Khalilou Fadiga shot into the side of the net from close range on a rebound. A Senegal goal was disallowed when Camara blatantly was offside in front of the net.
And the half ended with defender Alpay Ozalan's sliding block of Fadiga's shot from 15 yards.
Sukur left in the 67th for Mansiz, who wound up deciding the game.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/turkey-advances-to-world-cup-semifinals