Mansiz goal books Turkey semi-final place - report
Turkey reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history as Ilhan Mansiz scored four minutes into golden goal extra time to secure a 1-0 win over Senegal.
The substitute striker, on in place of national hero Hakan Sukur who suffered a nightmare game, popped up at the near post to meet Umit Davala's cross and turn the ball across goalkeeper Tony Sylva and into the net.
It was justice for Turkey, who were the better team on the night in Osaka, as Senegal failed to reproduce the form that had made them such an entertaining side to watch in the earlier stages.
Indeed, they failed to bring a serious save out of Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber throughout the match.
And Turkey should have been ahead on 27 minutes when Sukur spurned the chance of the game.
A quick break saw Sukur combine with Hasan Sas, who played the ball back into the path of his experienced team-mate, only to see Sukur let the ball run under his foot with just Sylva to beat.
Sukur again missed a great chance before the interval when failing to connect with Ergun Penbe's cross, with the goal at his mercy.
And Senegal were grateful to defender Omar Daf for keeping them on level terms moments before half-time, when sliding back to sweep the ball away from the goal-line after Yirldiray Basturk's header.
The second half failed to ignite as both sides began to tighten up with extra time looming and in the end, it was left to Ilhan to bag the decisive golden goal.
Turkey will now meet Brazil in the semi-finals, the second time the two have met in the competition after a 2-1 win to the Samba Boys in their opening group game.
That game will take place in Saitama at on Wednesday.
