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© St. Petersburg Times, published June 21, 2002
SENEGAL VS. TURKEY
WHEN/WHERE: 7:25 a.m.; Osaka, Japan.
WORLD RANKING: Senegal No.42, Turkey No.22.
ROAD TO WORLD CUP: Senegal finished first in CAF (Africa) Group C. Turkey finished second in UEFA (Europe) Group 4.
PREVIOUS MATCHES: Senegal beat France 1-0, tied Denmark 1-1, tied Uruguay 3-3 and beat Sweden 2-1 (in overtime). Turkey lost to Brazil 2-1, tied Costa Rica 1-1, beat China 3-0 and beat Japan 1-0.
COACHES: Senegal -- Bruno Metsu. Turkey -- Senol Gunes.
KEY PLAYERS: Senegal -- El-Hadji Diouf, forward; Papa Bouba Diop, midfielder; Omar Daf, defender. Turkey -- Hasan Sas, forward; Umit Davala, midfielder; Tugay Kerimoglu, midfielder.
WHAT TO EXPECT: This is one of the most surprising quarterfinals ever. Turkey hadn't qualified for the World Cup since 1954. Senegal had never qualified, yet it set the tone for this upset-laden World Cup in the first game, upending defending champion France 1-0. Diouf, 21, the 2001 African player of the year, has not scored. Henri Camara scored both goals in the 2-1 victory over Sweden, in which Sweden hit the post in overtime. Not only have the Dakar Lions surprised many with their quality, but they've impressed fans with their style and class. All Turkey has done is nearly stun four-time champion Brazil in its opener (it led 1-0 at halftime), then beat Japan in front of a manic home crowd in the second round. Davala's header off a corner kick in the 12th minute was the winner. A few Turks play for top-flight international teams, including Davala with AC Milan in Italy, midfielder Yildiray Basturk with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and Kerimoglu and defender/midfielder Hakan Unsal with the Blackburn Rovers in England. Unsal has been hampered by a knee injury. No African nation has reached the semifinals.
WHEN/WHERE: 2:25 a.m.; Gwangju, South Korea.
WORLD RANKING: Spain No.8, South Korea No.40.
ROAD TO WORLD CUP: Spain finished first in UEFA (Europe) Group 7. South Korea advanced automatically as a host nation.
PREVIOUS MATCHES: Spain beat Slovenia 3-1, Paraguay 3-1, South Africa 3-2 and Ireland 1-1 (3-2 penalty kicks). South Korea beat Poland 2-0, tied the United States 1-1 and beat Portugal 1-0 and Italy 2-1 (in overtime).
COACHES: Spain -- Jose Antonio Camacho. South Korea -- Guus Hiddink.
KEY PLAYERS: Spain -- Raul, forward; Fernando Hierro, defender; Iker Casillas, goalkeeper. South Korea -- Seol Ki-hyeon, forward; Ahn Jung-hwan, midfielder; Lee Woon-jae, goalkeeper.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Always-talented Spain is aiming to shed its worldwide image as the most underachieving team in history, and South Korea again is trying to overcome a talent gap by tapping into the ravenous support of its fans, the Red Devils. Spain's best World Cup finish in 10 tries is fourth in 1950, and it reached the quarterfinals in 1986 and 1994. Its 20 World Cup victories are the most by a nation that has never won, much less reached the final. The sensational Raul has a groin injury, and Camacho said he won't play unless he's 100 percent. We'll see. Spain showed some of the character it historically lacked in outlasting gritty Ireland. South Korea never won a World Cup game until two weeks ago, but it is infused with the collective will of a nation. The gripping and controversial triumph over Italy was an instant classic. South Korea wears down opponents with superior conditioning. Spain must stay strong late when South Korea swarms.