In finishing runners-up in their group behind expected winners Brazil, Turkey now face a daunting task if they are to reach the quarter-finals as they take on Japan at the Miyagi Stadium, with the co-hosts in form and a partisan crowd on their side.

Gunes, though, feels his squad have the power to maintain their progress and set up an unlikely last eight showdown with the surprising, yet strong Senegalese.

‘‘We have progressed to the next stage as planned and promised, and that is because we had faith in the team and ourselves. We never gave up,’’ stated Gunes.

‘‘Football is a kind of art and my players have proved themselves great artists, and our aim now is to claim a place in the quarter-finals.

‘‘The names of my players are already written in the history of football with golden pens. Now I want them to surpass that history and stay in Japan. But whatever happens I want them to put on a good display.’’

Gunes is fearful of Frenchman Philippe Troussier’s side, who go into the game with momentum after surprisingly topping their group with an unbeaten run due to wins over Russia and Tunisia, and a draw with Belgium.

A respectful Gunes, without the suspended Emre Asik and Emre Belozoglu, while Okan Buruk and Muzzy Izzet are injured, added: ‘‘Japan are a strong team who have progressed steadily.

‘‘In 1998 in France they lost all three of their World Cup matches, but they have yet to be beaten in this tournament, while they are also the reigning Asian champions.

‘‘They have a good coach, a good team which is young for this tournament with an average age of only 25, and are supported by a tremendous crowd.

‘‘As they have players all of the same age, it reflects their ability on the pitch, so we are planning a disciplined team game, one where we will play aggressively both up front and in defence.’’

Gunes, meanwhile, has rounded on the Turkish press and demanded they get behind his side following a number of critical attacks recently, despite their success at this tournament.

The Turkish players refused to speak to the media after their 3-0 win over China which helped guarantee their progress to the knockout stages, apparently in protest at the treatment meted out by their own journalists.

‘‘Sometimes the Turkish media and people only look at the score and this puts pressure on us,’’ added Gunes.

‘‘I am talking to the people who are regularly with us - encourage us and we will provide heroes.’’