SAITAMA, Japan, 26 June — Revenge or antics used by Brazilian star Rivaldo should not be on today’s agenda when Turkey aim to continue their historic run at the World Cup with another match against Brazil in the semifinals, coach Senol Gunes said yesterday.
Gunes said today’s game in Saitama will feature numerous strong footballers and the match should be an up-tempo affair.
“Both teams are filled with technically-gifted star players. The difference will be the will to win. The one who wants it more and has the will to perform on the pitch will win. And that will be us,” Gunes told a press conference in Saitama.
Midfielder Umit Davala, whose header gave Turkey a 1-0 victory over Japan in the Round of 16, said his team will not play defensively.
Turkey had pulled ahead 1-0 in the Group C encounter but allowed two second-half goals as Brazil won 2-1 from an 87th-minute penalty and Turkey had two players sent off.
“It’s difficult to play defensively and keep the score. We learned that the game lasts 90 minutes...If we lead, we’ll be looking for the second goal. If you play defensively it’s hard to get forward,” said Davala. Gunes called on his players to look past their success of reaching the country’s first-ever semifinal and concentrate on the task at hand and make even more World Cup history.
“We were targeting qualification (from Group C) when we played the first time. We were only thinking of a draw and we were close. We will play to win tomorrow from the start to end.”
The 50-year-old coach added: “One day our kids will talk of us proudly...Our memories here will be the dreams of our children.” Gunes downplayed speculation that his side will have revenge on their minds after their first round meeting, saying: “Revenge is a job for lesser people. Football will not let that happen.”
And he said his players have a similar mind-set going into the match.
“I’ve always shared the same feelings with my players. They are my eyes, my ears and every part of my body. We wouldn’t have reached so far with different ideas.”
