 A controversial late penalty by Rivaldo
handed Brazil a 2-1 victory over a
Turkey side who saw two men sent off
in a gripping opening game in Group
C.
Aston Villa's Alpay was sent off
in the 85th minute after hauling down
Luizao, although the offence took
place just outside the penalty area.
It was rough justice on Turkey who
impressed with their commitment and
skill, and led at half-time thanks
to Hasan Sas' expertly-struck injury-time
goal.
But early in the second half, Ronaldo
capped his impressive display with
the equalising goal as he converted
Rivaldo's cross.
Brazil enjoyed the majority of the
chances, but committed Turkey held
out, only to blot their copybook with
late indiscipline which saw Hakan
Unsal also red-carded for petulantly
kicking the ball at Rivaldo.
Brazil started brightly, and on seven
minutes Ronaldinho's audacious 25-yard
chip was just too high, with Turkish
goalkeeper Rustu Recbar stranded. But the Turks weathered Brazil's
early pressure and almost took the
lead on 19 minutes. Ironically, Turkey had made an utter
hash of a free-kick 20 yards from
goal, but amid the confusion, Blackburn
Rovers' Tugay lashed in a powerful
drive which deflected off Gilberto
Silva and shaved Brazil's crossbar.
 A scrappy spell followed, but a
fierce Juninho strike on the half-hour
brought the crowd to life, as it whizzed
just over. Yet the half ended in dramatic fashion
with a flurry of chances for Brazil,
and a Turkish goal. A brilliant save by Rustu stopped
a Rivaldo header on 40 minutes, the
Barcelona striker latching on to Ronaldo's
great cross. Alpay was fortunate to escape with
a yellow card after tripping the lively
Ronaldo as the Inter Milan man was
racing on to Juninho's pass. That was after Rustu had saved from
Rivaldo, and the keeper was again
in action in injury time as Ronaldinho's
intricate skill fashioned a chance
which the Turkish keeper stopped with
his legs.
Yet with just seconds remaining of
the half, Turkey scored. Yildiray Basturk crossed from an
unthreatening midfield position, but
Hasan Sas had nipped in behind the
Brazilian back line and thrashed the
ball past Marcos to give Turkey the
lead. It was a surprise which delighted
their vociferous fans, but the joy
was short-lived as Luiz Felipe Scolari's
half-time team talk paid instant dividends
for Brazil. After a fine block prevented Ronaldo,
the Inter Milan striker did score
on 50 minutes, expertly diverting
Rivaldo's cross past Rustu. A sublime
piece of trickery four minutes later
gave Ronaldo another chance, although
Rustu was alert to his curling shot.
The second half continued in gripping
fashion. Ronaldo, then Roberto Carlos
both came close for Brazil, before
Turkey's Hakan Unsal blasted a Roberto
Carlos-esque free-kick which Marcos
spiled. Brazil were doing most of the attacking,
however, Lucio seeing Rustu save a
close-range header, and Rivaldo seeing
a header ruled out for offside. Goalscorer Ronaldo made way for Luizao
on 73 minutes, Scolari opting to rest
the resurgent star.
Brazil's threat remained, however,
and a thunderous drive from Rivaldo
whistled inches over the top, and
Roberto Carlos wayward right foot
shot flying high. But with five minutes remaining,
there was high drama as Alpay was
red-carded for hauling down Luizao. Referee Kim Young-Joo rightly sent
Alpay off, but awarded Brazil a penalty
despite the fact the offence was just
outside the area. Rivaldo had no worries, however,
as he slotted home the spot-kck with
aplomb.
There was still time for late drama,
as Hakan Unsal received a second yellow
for kicking the ball at Rivaldo at
a corner kick - although the Brazilian's
over-dramatic reaction contributed
to the Turk's downfall.
Brazil: Marcos, Cafu, Lucio, Roque
Junior, Carlos, Edmilson, Juninho
Paulista (Vampeta 72), Gilberto, Ronaldinho
(Denilson 67), Rivaldo, Ronaldo (Luizao
73). Subs Not Used: Belleti, Ceni,
Dida, Edilson, Junior, Kaka, Kleberson,
Polga.
Booked: Denilson.
Goals: Ronaldo 50, Rivaldo 87 pen.
Turkey: Rustu, Korkmaz (Mansiz 66),
Akyel, Alpay, Unsal, Ozat, Basturk
(Davala 65), Emre, Tugay (Erdem 88),
Sukur, Sas. Subs Not Used: Abdullah,
Asik, Ergun, Izzet, Nihat, Okan, Omer,
Tayfur, Zafer.
Sent Off: Alpay (86), Unsal (90).
Booked: Akyel, Unsal, Alpay.
Goals: Sas 45.
Att: 33,842
Ref: Young Joo Kim (Korea). |
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