YOKOHAMA, 24 June — Football fans have been treated to a different flavor of World Cup action this time around as a series of minnows impressed in their showings at the quarterfinal stage.

Co-hosts South Korea shocked the football world by beating Italy in the Round of 16 and then went out and did it again against Spain in a 5-3 penalty shootout victory to reach the Seoul semifinal.

“I think more dreams have come true now,” South Korean coach Guus Hiddink said after his team’s historic victory.

But the Dutchman just wanted to enjoy the fun of becoming the first team in 72 years to make the World Cup’s final four from outside Europe or South America. Only North American representatives United States in 1930 had done so before.

Next up for the Asians tomorrow are Germany. But the three-time world champions looked the weaker side against an upstart United States team which looked fresher and more convincing but unlucky not to gather a goal.

“We know ourselves that we did not play well. But in a few days nobody will be interested in how we got where we are,” said German goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn.

“We are in the semifinals of the World Cup. That places us among the four best teams in the world.”

The Japanese semifinal was bound to feature a final-four first-timer, and it turned out that Turkey were able to continue their historic run instead of Senegal and their fairy tale attempt to become Africa’s first semifinalists.

The Turks reappeared at the World Cup for the first time since 1954 and not only advanced to their first-ever second round, but continued their push all the way to the semis after dominating the Africans for a 1-0 Golden Goal victory.

“This has been an exemplary World Cup. There has been a great impact of teams with less experience, like Turkey, like South Korea, like Senegal and like Japan. South Korea-Turkey in the final? Why not?,” Turkish coach Senol Gunes said after substitute Ilhan Mansiz’s 94th-minute goal.

Gunes’ Turkish side will have revenge on their minds in Wednesday’s semifinal against Brazil after losing to the record winners 2-1 in their first match of Group C — in which two Turkey players were sent off.

“We never forgot that the match against Brazil was irregular. We want to make up for this,” said Turkey’s small, but combatant midfielder Yildiray Basturk.

The four-time world champions Brazil — like the Germans — have advanced to the semifinals for the tenth time and are now classified as favorites after knocking off England 2-1 in the most high-anticipated of the quarterfinals.

Still Brazil, who played the final half hour against England with one man less, do not want hear about favorites status.

“I’m not thinking about that. Perhaps they (experts) say that due to our past record, but the most important thing is to take one game at a time, and to win our next match,” said Rivaldo, who is even with German Miroslav Klose and compatriot Ronaldo as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.

Brazil and Germany have the chance of meeting for the first time ever in World Cup history. But forget not that such an encounter could also take place in the game for third place.

That would mean South Korea against Turkey in the June 30 final in Yokohama and would make the Asian World Cup flavor tastier than ever imaginable.