Boldly going where no team has gone before, Brazil began its world Cup voyage with a difficult 2-1 victory against Turkey.
In search of an unprecedented fifth World Cup and the first of the new millennium, the Brazilians were in attack mode from the beginning, but fell to a counter punch from Turkey just before half time.
A goal from superstar Ronaldo and a penalty just before the end of time by Rivaldo, however, secured a result for the enterprising Brazilians, who raised their game in the second half.
PHOTO: JULES QUARTLY, TAIPEI TIMES
Determined to start well, Brazil applied pressure from the kickoff and moves down the right and left flanks gave first Ronaldo and then Juninho early half-chances.
Then, an error by Turkey's goalkeeper Rustu Recber nearly led to a goal. Attempting to clear the ball outside his own area, Recber miscued and the ball fell to Ronaldinho.
The Paris St. Germain midfielder, from far out on the left side of the field, had an open goal but his shot drifted over the bar -- to the obvious relief of Recber.
While Juninho and Ronaldo started to combine sweetly and Rivaldo had a good chance, it was Turkey who came nearest with a counterattack.
A cross from the ever-dangerous Hasan Sas on the left caused the Brazilian defense some trouble and 'keeper Marcos dived in to clear. But in the resulting melee Turkey was awarded a free kick from 25m out.
Trying to catch the Brazilians out, the kick was taken quickly and rather fortuitously landed in Tugay Kerimoglu's path, who hit a bobbling shot that shaved the bar.
Rivaldo came close for Brazil with a header and a swerving shot that were comfortably covered by Recber, as was a drive from Roberto Carlos on the left.
As the first half drew to a close and the light faded, the Turkish fans started to get behind their team and the rhythm of the samba was eclipsed by the slow-clap chanting of the Turks.
Just before half time, Ronaldinho should have scored when he broke through the Turkish defense, but Recber parried with his legs for a crucial save.
Brazil paid dearly for the miss two minutes later, when Turkey scored a goal from nowhere, after Yildiray Basturk stroked a diagonal pass over Brazil's static back line to give Sas a clear sight of goal.
Sas was clinical, scoring with a sweet left-footed strike that gave Marcos little chance and the whistle blew for the end of the half.
It was a jolt from which Brazil had to recover quickly. And they did in the best way possible: with a goal from Ronaldo.
Just five minutes into the second half, Rivaldo crossed from the left and Ronaldo slipped past his markers with a burst of speed to slide in for the equalizer.
The Brazilian fans started cheering again and fears of an upset a la France faded.
They were cheered even further when Ronaldo started running at the Turkish defense, showing flashes of his old magic, feinting past a couple of players before unleashing a shot, which was nevertheless easily covered by Recber.
Brazil started playing the fluent football that it could not produce in the first half and Turkey was fighting a rearguard action.
Lucio came close for Brazil, as did Juninho, while Rivaldo had a goal disallowed for offside.
Turkish coach Senol Gunes took off Basturk on 66 minutes -- which he was clearly not happy about -- in what appeared to be a tactical substitution to hold on to a draw.
Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari responded by taking off Ronaldinho, a clearly tiring Ronaldo and Juninho.
Ten minutes from time and the Turkish fans were in celebratory mood, looking forward to a famous draw in their first World Cup game for 48 years.
But they were celebrating too soon. A foul on the left saw Carlos give substitute Luizao a chance, before Carlos followed up and blazed wide.
Then came the sickener for Turkey.
After a poor clearance from Recbar, Luziao again picked up the ball and charged toward goal. He was clearly pulled back but made a meal of it and went down in the box.
The offender, Alpay Ozalan, was given his marching orders and Rivaldo stepped up to the plate.
With three minutes of time left, Rivaldo skipped three times and slotted the ball the right-hand corner, just past a diving Recbar.
There was time enough for Sas to score, but his weak header was easily collected by Marcos.The game descended into farce in extra time when Hakan Unsul was sent off for stupidly kicking the ball at Rivaldo, who went down clutching his head as though he had been poleaxed.
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