SAITAMA -- "We came to the World Cup to make an impact. I think we've achieved our goal and I am proud of my players," Turkey coach Senol Gunes said after his side fell to Brazil 1-0 in the semifinals on Wednesday night at Saitama Stadium 2002.

Turkey, playing in the quadrennial tournament for the first time in 48 years, reached the semifinals for the first time ever. Turkey finished Group C behind Brazil with a 1-1-1 record and then beat cohost Japan 1-0 in the second round and edged Senegal 2-1 in extra time in the quarterfinals. The only defeats Turkey suffered were both at the hands of Brazil.

"In our first meeting, we made many mistakes in defense. We had a better defense this time around but lost the ball in offense. We couldn't do what we wanted to do," Gunes noted.

The Turkish squad had seven players who were born and trained in Germany after their parents had left Turkey years ago, in search of employment in most cases.

Among them were Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Yildiray Basturk and the Mohawk-sporting Umit Davala of AC Milan. Davala reportedly was inspired by the hairdo of Germany midfielder Christian Ziege.

The German-born players helped bring a unique style to Turkish game, blending tactical discipline with an aggressive, skillful display.

"They are important for us," Gunes had said earlier in the tournament.

But the Turks on Wednesday night might have been tired or might have respected the four-time champion Brazilians too much. They didn't seem to have their usual momentum and intensity.

Ilhan Mansiz, another German-born talent who became the Turkish League's top scorer with 21 goals last season, said, "There was no pressure, we were all very relaxed."

But Gunes, a former national team goalkeeper, pointed out that the success of his side had put extra pressure on his players.

"The people back home have been expecting a lot from us and this created a little bit of pressure on my players," he said. "We are sorry that we couldn't make our people back home feel happy once again."

Turkey midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu added: "I think the lack of experience caused us to give away the ball to our opponents so often. The Brazilians are much more experienced at this level than we are. But this experience will do us good to help us to become a better side."

"We have a very good team and talented players. We wanted to be one of the world's best teams and we've achieved that," Gunes said. "We also wanted to be in the final, but unfortunately that didn't happen. Maybe next time."

Gunes, 50, has been in charge of the team since Turkey's quarterfinal exit at Euro 2000 and will guide the team until Euro 2004.

Turkey will play South Korea in the third-place playoff on Saturday in Taegu, South Korea.