Football World Cup 2002: MANSIZ MAKES IT GOLD TURKEY

TURKEY coach Senol Gunes hailed his side's golden-goal victory over Senegal as one of the greatest days in his nation's football history.

And after Ilhan Mansiz's extra-time winner clinched a first-ever semi-final place for the Turks, he could be forgiven for claiming there had never been a better one.

A delighted Gunes said: "Everybody in Turkish football has put in a lot of effort - we are now living one of our most important days.

"We controlled the game , but we missed a lot of chances.

"The players have watched many extra-times on television, maybe they wanted to try one today.

""We had a big target, played very well and deserved to get to the next stage. We are preparing ourselves for the final."

Mansiz swept Turkey into the World Cup's last four with the third golden goal of the tournament, ending Senegal's dreams of soccer history but creating plenty of their own.

Turkey's triumph comes in only their second World Cup finals appearance - their last being 48 years ago when they were knocked out in the first round.

But just as Senegal had knocked out Sweden in extra-time on Saturday, this time they were on the receiving end as substitute Mansiz scored 190 seconds into the first period of extra-time, set up by Umit Davala.

Turkey now face Brazil in the semi-finals, a repeat of the ill- tempered first-round match won 2-1 by the South Americans in which two Turkish players were sent off.

And the showdown in Saitama on Wednesday gives the Turks the perfect opportunity for revenge after losing to Luis Felipe Scolari's side in the group stages.

"We should have beaten Brazil in the first match, " Gunes added, "but we will do it now. We have new plans for future, we want to play in the final."

The goal was nothing more than Turkey deserved, as for the preceding 90 minutes they produced arguably their best football of their tournament.

However, they were guilty of wasting clear-cut chances against a Senegal side who failed to show the attacking flair of previous matches which had made them such a sensation in the finals.

Senegal's defence produced vital interceptions and clearances to force extra-time, but up front looked a spent force .

And like rivals Cameroon in Italia '90, Senegal were unable to become the first African team to reach the semis.

Senegal did have the ball in the net in the 20th minute, but after the controversy which had surrounded Spain's defeat, there was no doubt the linesman on this occasion was perfectly correct.

Ferdinand Coly's long throw was flicked on by Pape Bouba Diop, and Khalilou Fadiga's drive was turned in by Henri Camara - but the linesman's flag had long been raised .

Then came the first of two glaring misses by captain Hakan Sukur. P icked out by Hasan Sas, a controlling touch would have left him with a sidefoot past Tony Sylva, but he failed in that task.

And six minutes from the break, Sukur could not get a touch at the far post from Ergun Penbe's left-wing cross.

The Parma striker did supply the next opportunity, knocking a chipped pass in to Sas, who in turn played in Yildiray Basturk.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder's headed flick past the advancing Sylva was bound for goal until Omar Daf hacked the ball off the line.

For Senegal, the Liverpool-bound El Hadji Diouf unleashed a fierce drive, blocked by Alpay.

But chances were at a premium after the break. Ilhan almost made an immediate impact after replacing Sukur in the 67th minute with a chip that had Sylva frantically back-tracking.

But three minutes into extra-time a low pass into the from Umit was flicked past Sylva by the pony-tailed Besiktas striker Mansiz to send the Turks wild .

And forward Hasan Sas thought the Senegal game was Turkey's best performance of the finals.

"We played the best match of the tournament," he said. "We are very happy we were able to do that. We want to play the final."

Midfielder Umit, who set up Mansiz's golden-goal winner, said Turkey had not become frustrated by their inability to convert a number of chances in normal time.

"We couldn't finish in the first 90 minutes but we never gave up," he said. "The [Brazil] match will be different, we know each other now. They are going to have to put up a fight, like us, but we're not going to make the same mistakes as last time."

SENEGAL: Sylva, Coly, Diatta, Cisse, Daf, Henri Camara, Papa Bouba Diop, Pape Malick Diop, Diao, Fadiga, Diouf.

TURKEY: Rustu, Korkmaz, Akyel, Alpay, Ergun, Davala, Basturk, Tugay, Emre (Erdem 91), Sukur (Mansiz 67), Sas.

ATTENDANCE: 44,233

MAN OF THE MATCH:

ILHAN MANSIZ: Supersub with the golden goal touch.

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