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Turks get semifinal holiday

Brazil beat Turkey 2-1 in their opening group game

ANKARA, Turkey -- Public workers in Turkey are to get a half-day holiday to watch the national team in the World Cup semifinals.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, quoted by state-run Anatolian news agency, announced the holiday to coincide with Wednesday's match.

It is Turkey's first time in the World Cup finals since 1954 and their first ever appearance in the semifinals.

Ecevit said: "I know everyone in our country is waiting for Wednesday in excitement and hope."

Thousands of Turks poured onto the streets across the country on Saturday after Turkey beat Senegal 1-0 with a golden goal from substitute Ilhan Mansiz to secure the semifinal tie against tournament favourites Brazil. (Match report)

The match will be a repeat of the two teams' controversial opening group game which Brazil won 2-1 after Turkey had two men sent off in the final minutes. (Match report)

Rivaldo was fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($6,390) after he fell to the ground clutching his face when Hakan Unsal kicked the ball at him, prompting Turkey's second red card of the game, despite TV pictures showing the ball had hit him in the leg. (Full story)

Alpay Ozalan's sending off came when he pulled down Luizao outside the penalty box and a penalty was awarded which Rivaldo converted to give Brazil the winning goal three minutes from time.

Ozalan said on Monday: "We've seen our deficiencies and prepared ourselves very well for the rematch. We're ready to face Brazil."

He added: "I deserved the red card but Hakan did not. I could not understand why Rivaldo acted like that. In this match, we will act accordingly."

The match kicks off at 12.30 p.m. GMT (1430 Turkish time) hours in Saitama, Japan.