SAITAMA, June 23: Brazil striker Rivaldo, whose team meet Turkey in Wednesday’s semifinal, does not expect bad feeling to be carried over from their fiery first-round meeting.

Rivaldo, whose melodramatic fall was blamed for getting Hakan Ulsan sent off in the group game and earned him a fine, says the Turks should thank Brazil for helping them get into the last 16 in the first place.

“I think they’re happy with us because we helped them qualify by beating Costa Rica,” he said.

“If we had drawn or lost that game then Costa Rica would have qualified instead.

“I don’t think they’re at all upset with Brazil. They have to be grateful to us.”

Turkey went through on goal difference at the expense of Costa Rica, who were beaten 5-2 by Brazil in their final group C match while the Turks overcame China 3-0.

Brazil beat Turkey 2-1, their winner coming from a late and controversial penalty awarded for a foul which appeared to take place outside the penalty area.

Turkey, who complained bitterly afterwards, finished with nine men after having two sent off.

Ulsan was dismissed for kicking the ball at Rivaldo when he went over to take a corner.

Although the ball hit Rivaldo’s legs, the Barcelona player keeled over clutching his face and boos echoed around the stadium as the farce was replayed on the big screen.

Since then, the World Cup has been littered with incidents of play-acting but none has attracted the same degree of scandal and outrage.

Rivaldo predicted another even match.

“I don’t think either side has an advantage. This is another game,” he said.

“The other game was the first game in the cup for both teams and the players were tense. Now we are all more relaxed and confident.”

“It will be a good game and we will have to take our chances. Turkey is capable of beating Brazil, they have a good team but we will give our all.

“It could be Korea or Germany (in the final) but we have to think about our game first.”

Defender Edmilson predicted a cautious start: “We know this game will be more difficult, they know our team well.

“I think it will be cagey at the start and we have to stamp our rhythm on the game as we have in all our games so far.”—Reuters