Enter Ilhan to sap spirit of Senegal

Senegal 0 Turkey 1 Golden goal in extra time

The semi-finals of the World Cup have assumed a weird kind of symmetry. Turkey's golden goal three minutes and 17 seconds into extra-time by Ilhan Mansiz, a second-half substitute, ensured a rematch against Brazil in Saitama on Wednesday night and put paid to what Bruno Metsu, the Senegal coach, termed the "exceptional adventure" of his side in this World Cup. So no African nation has yet reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.

There was none of the controversy in Osaka that marred South Korea's epic march to a semi-final against Germany in Seoul on Tuesday. But both matches featured a meeting of old established power and thrusting new upstart. Turkey had not qualified for the World 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 here and Turkey, in particular, ran the four-times champions very close in an ill-tempered group game which ended with nine Turkish players on the field and a derisory £4,000 fine slapped on Rivaldo for some absurd theatricals.

Turkey's victory 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 Senegal side that defeat was a blessed release.

Turkey have earned their place in the last four, but when the dust has settled on this tournament questions have to be asked about the performance of some assistant referees, who have slowly reduced the world's major tournament 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 and the implacable opposition of both these powerful European nations will do the cause of Asian football little good in the long run.

No one would put a learner driver in charge of a Formula One car, but that has been the result of Fifa's ill-conceived experiment 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 after a chaotic first half notable for a spectacular goal-line clearance by Omar Daf, the Senegal left-back, some neat twists and turns from the elusive El Hadji Diouf and a hatful of chances for Hakan Sukur, the best of which will embarrass him for years. Set the simple task of controlling a rolling ball and shooting into a virtually untended net, the former Galatasaray hero allowed the pass to slide under his foot and away to safety. That seemed to unnerve even well-travelled a striker as Hakan Sukur and the more he begged the ball not to come his way, the more it was drawn magnetically to his boot. His substitution, in the 68th minute, was a relief to him and the Turkish crowd, who resolutely refused to jeer their star. The switch by Senol Gunes also decided the game because it brought on Ilhan for a thoroughly eventful 26 minutes. And 17 seconds.

It was not quite the story the growing army of Senegalese followers and their drum majors had wanted, but Ilhan's struggles for recognition have a poignancy of their own, not least because his identity, like so many of the Turkish players, is deeply confused. Ilhan was born and raised in a small town in Bavaria. For some time, he found it difficult to settle in either his own country or that of his parents and 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 in Germany 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 not just for Ilhan, but for other 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."

Umit Davala, who provided the final cross and enjoyed a solid game on the right side of midfield, was equally buoyant about Turkey's semi-final prospects. "We don't fear Brazil," he said. "They have to fear us. Yes, they are a big name and they have won the World Cup four times, but we have to keep believing in ourselves that we can reach the final. We are only 180 minutes away from winning the Cup."

In their way, Turkey are the least of the surprises in this tournament. Their side is peppered with experienced players who have learnt 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 during the week that Senegal might implode. On Thursday, one training session had been aborted, another abandoned and the press, 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 earlier. The fuel just ran out yesterday. "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. Against Sweden, we were the lucky ones. Tonight, Turkey had the luck and we did not."

Senegal will be stronger for the experience. They have been a credit to African football and have brought an exotic flavour and no little skill to this tournament. Quite rightly, Senegal's lap of honour was as loudly acclaimed as Turkey's victory celebrations.

Senegal 0 Turkey 1 Golden goal in extra time
Ilhan Mansiz 94