OSAKA (Japan), June 22: Turkey substitute Ilhan Mansiz swept home a golden goal four minutes into extra time against Senegal Saturday to send his team into the semifinals for the first time.

Turkey will face four-times world champions Brazil in Saitama on Wednesday after the striker shot home on the half-volley from eight metres out following a right-wing cross by Umit Davala.

The two sides had failed to score in regulation time despite a fast-flowing match in which Turkey created the better chances against the African debutants, most of which were wasted by Hakan Sukur, the player Ilhan replaced.

“Everybody in Turkish football has put in a lot of effort - we are now living one of our most important days,” Turkey coach Senol Gunes said.

“Today we controlled the game very well, we did what we wanted but we missed a lot of chances. We deserved to win the game.”

Senegal coach Bruno Metsu was still proud of his defeated players.

“It’s been a long adventure and now it has come to an end,” the Frenchman said. “I’m very, very proud that a small country like Senegal can come to the World Cup and rock the boat among the hierarchy of world football.”

After a cagey opening quarter, Turkey, playing in their first World Cup finals since 1954, came to life and created several good chances in the first half.

The 30-year-old Hakan Sukur squandered the best opportunity after 27 minutes when Hasan Sas’s pass found him unmarked five metres out but Turkey’s most capped player failed to control the ball with the goal gaping.

Senegal defender Omar Daf superbly cleared a Yildiray Basturk header off the line a minute before the interval but the powerful Africans also had their moments.

Striker El Hadji Diouf had one effort ruled out for off-side and just before the break only a fine tackle by Alpay Ozalan denied the African footballer of the year his first goal of the tournament after a sparkling run by Henri Camara.

Senegal, trying to become the first African side to reach the last four, had shocked the soccer world by defeating holders France in the tournament’s opening game.

Draws against Denmark and Uruguay ensured they made the second round, where they defeated Sweden 2-1 in extra time with a golden goal.

After a controversial defeat by Brazil, in which two Turkish players were sent off and Brazil forward Rivaldo was fined for play-acting, the Turks did well to progress and defeated co-hosts Japan 1-0 in their second round match to reach the last eight.

Diouf and Basturk both threatened to break the deadlock at the start of the second half.

Umit Davala, scorer of two goals in the tournament, began to cause problems for Senegal, all of whose players are with French clubs, but Hakan Sukur continued to disappoint and after 67 minutes he was substituted.

Ilhan immediately threatened with a shot just over the bar and Turkey continued to dominate but the game remained desperately tight with so much at stake and it was no surprise when extra time arrived with the stalemate unbroken.

“It’s hard, hard, hard but that’s how the game goes,” Diouf said. “It’s a shame but we have no regrets. We could not have done any more.

“Turkey deserved (the win) - good luck to them. I think they had the luck tonight. We go out with our heads held high.”

Germany will play South Korea in the other semifinal on Tuesday.—Reuters