WORLD CUP NEWS

World Cup Semifinal Results: Brazil 1-0 Turkey, Samba Kings to meet Germany in final, Ronaldo goal puts Big Phil's men into third consecutive final, and more...
June 27, 2002 - STM Staff

Brazil 1-0 Turkey
Saitama, Japan

It wasn't the high-flying attack that has characterized Brazilian soccer for the past 100 years, but this installment of the Brazilian national team has booked themselves a place in the final none-the-less.

Inter Milan forward Ronaldo scored the game's lone goal in the 49th minute with another classic powerful, slashing run and finish by the Brazilian ace. With no less than four Turkish defender bearing down on him, the former Barcelona striker toe-poked the ball into the far side netting past Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Receber who come off his line to close down the angles. The Turkish defenders sat stunned as they watch Ronaldo make like a plane and fly down the field in celebration of the goal.

The goal was his World Cup-leading sixth of the tournament, but more importantly it put the Brazilians into the final after many in the press had written off their chances due to a dismal qualification campaign in COMNEBOL.

Turkey pressed for the equalizer, but the unheralded Brazilian defense held firm led by goalkeeper Marcos, who earned a clean sheet for his troubles. Turkey will face tournament co-host South Korea in the third place match to be played on Saturday in Daegu, South Korea.

Brazilian Head Coach Big Phil has silenced his critic temporarily by securing a place in the final, but a loss to Germany would mean a second consecutive defeat in a World Cup final. Remember the Brazilian meltdown in 1998 that allowed France to walk away with the title.

Brazil has now made it to a record tying third consecutive World Cup final match, a feat that only (you guessed it) Germany have accomplished. The Germans made it to the finals in 82', 86', and 90', winning the championship in Italy 90' against a much fancied Argentine side. Brazil has made it to the finals in the past three World Cups, and last won the championship in USA 94'.

Germany had a rocky road to the World Cup themselves, barely qualifying in a play-off with Bulgaria. The Germans have played the sensible, straightforward football that drives fans crazy, but puts results on the board.

The final pits three-time winners Germany against four-time winners Brazil in a match-up of the two greatest footballing nations in the history of football. With all the upsets and surprise packages in the World Cup, like it not, these two teams remain the dominant forces in international football.