JEDDAH, 27 June — Brazil’s emergence yesterday as the other finalists for the FIFA World cup title did not surprise soccer fans across Saudi Arabia. "This was expected" was the most common remark from them.

Ozkan Aydin, commercial attache at the Turkish Consulate General, said: "We’ve been making preparations for the final but are disappointed that we lost against Brazil. The only consolation is that we played well against four-time winners Brazil. We like to congratulate the Brazilians on their victory. I expect Brazil to lift the cup because they are a strong team."

"Brazil will win because they have very good players. The Turks played well against Brazil. They continued to look dangerous with their trademark counterattacks but could not score the vital equalizer," K.P. Abdul Salam, president of the Jeddah-based Saudi Indian Football Forum, said.

"Although the Germans are a good team going by their track record, Brazil are most likely to win the cup. They have some of the world’s best footballers, and they play an attacking game. They will surely break through the strong defensive tactics of the Germans in the final," said Raza M. Farooqui, a Pakistani sales manager in Jeddah.

Most of the soccer fans in the Eastern Province were elated over the victory of Brazil against underdogs Turkey, who gave a spirited fight. Soccer fans said the stage is now set for a dream finale to the World Cup.

With the defeat of South Korea by Germany, the enthusiasm of Asians, Arabs and Africans had waned and most of the people supported Brazil for their technique and skill. There are many fans of soccer "magician" Ronaldo. The goal by Ronaldo brought loud cheers at the Dammam Sheraton Towers Hotel’s coffee lounge. Interestingly, a lone Brazilian was present in the lounge. Businessman Arturo Hugo was warmly congratulated by all those present.

A beaming Hugo said the victory was the result of the team’s strong determination. He said Ronaldo was at his best in the match. "The magic man put Brazil ahead with his brilliance. Teasing the Turk defenders, he unleashed ferocious attacks throughout his stay in the game."

Raschid Krim, a chef at Baba Habbas fastfood restaurant, was disappointed at the result but was all praise for his national team. "It was a bit of bad luck and lack of experience which cost the match for the Turks. Turkey dominated the game in the last 20 minutes of the second half but could not utilize the chances. The fact that we lost to Brazil by just one goal in itself is a compliment for our national team," he added.

Fares Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi youth who is a Ronaldo fan, was impressed by the speed and accurate passes of the Turkish team. "They played brilliantly and fought like lions. It was in no way a cakewalk for Brazil," he said adding that Ronaldo made all the difference.

Moqbil Al-Sayyari, Gulf editor of Arriyadhiyah, said it was a tough match for Brazil and it was difficult to predict the result after the first half. He said a shot by Alpay Ozalan would have given Turkey their first goal but for Brazilian goalkeeper Marcos’s brilliant save. "Although Ronaldo kept the pressure on the Turks, he did not appear to be 100 percent fit. I will not call his performance the best in the tournament despite he being the highest scorer," he said.

Robert Dennings, an American working in Saudi Aramco, said the stage was set to watch the dream final between Germany and Brazil. "We will be watching next Sunday a dream match. Both the countries will be playing against each other for the first time in World Cup history," he said.

In Riyadh, Mahmoud Laota, sports editor of Al-Eqtisadiah, said it was a thrilling encounter in which Ronaldo scored a superb goal in the Romario style to give Brazil a 1-0 win. He also paid tributes to midfielder Gilberto Silva whose quick pass to Ronaldo made Brazil’s win possible.

"The Turks could have grabbed an equalizer, but the team squandered away some chances, with Ilhan Mansiz lobbing his shots over the bar or off the net. He attributed Turkey’s subdued performance to their lack of experience and the enormous expectations at home, as a result of which they succumbed to pressure. Brazil could have sealed their victory by halftime, but it was thwarted not until the second half by a heroic display from Racber in the Turkish goal," he said.

— Javid Hassan in Riyadh, Saeed Haider in Dammam & K.S. Ramkumar in Jeddah