Alpay - determind to stop Rivaldo (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Saitama

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Turkey defender Alpay Ozalan has vowed to take action against Brazil star Rivaldo - even if it means missing out on the World Cup final.

Alpay and his Turkish team-mates are still smarting following their controversial confrontation in the opening game of Group C when coach Senol Gunes' side suffered a last-gasp defeat and the Barcelona star compounded the misery when his play-acting led to a red card for Hakan Unsal.

Unsal kicked the ball to Rivaldo, waiting by the corner flag. The ball struck the Brazilian on the thigh, but he conned the referee into making it look as though he had been hit in the face.

Alpay, who was also sent off in the same match and is one yellow card away from another suspension, said: "If the ball had hit his chest then I could have understood his reaction, but it was on his knee - it was a strange action.

"I admit my red card was a fair one, although the referee should not have awarded a penalty. But the one which Hakan Unsal received - and which all the world saw - was not fair.

"Rivaldo's actions were needless, but now I think we will take action accordingly in this game.

"Although I have a yellow card, myself and my team-mates are not thinking about them at the moment.

"We will show great spirit on the pitch because we want to play in the final.

"That is the only target right now for us. If I get another yellow card, and it ensures our place in the final, then I will not hesitate."

Turkey were on course for at least a point heading into the closing stages of the game in Ulsan three weeks ago after Ronaldo had cancelled out Hasan Sas' first-half opener.

But then Alpay was sent off for a second bookable offence after tugging on the shirt of Luizao outside the area, only for Korean referee Kim Young-soo to award a penalty from which Rivaldo drove home the winner before the ugly incident involving Rivaldo at the end.

Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen, no stranger to controversy himself following his infamous dismissal of England's David Beckham against Argentina at France 98, has been handed the task of keeping the lid on what could be a pot-boiler.

Alpay is certainly demanding Nielsen show no favouritism towards Brazil as he added: "This is a much more important game for me now. It has greater meaning.

"The red card has had a significant effect on me because I am now ready for action against Brazil. I just can't wait for the game.

"But I have said it before, and I'll say it again, if the referee shows justice towards both teams then I am sure we will win."

Alpay, though, still has respect for Rivaldo and fellow striking sensation Ronaldo, both of whom are fighting it out with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the tournament's Golden Shoe award as top scorer.

With five goals apiece, it remains a question of whether Alpay and his team-mates can prevent the world's deadliest striking duo from getting their act together if the Turks are to continue their remarkable run all the way to the final.

"We know both Rivaldo and Ronaldo are very good players," stated Alpay.

"I knew of Ronaldo's capabilities before the game against Brazil, but then when I saw them for myself during the game, it was more than I had expected.

"I know I will have to work hard to nullify his effect on the pitch. After the game we will see who emerges the successor."