In a match between two second-string sides, Turkey ripped Brazil's defence to shreds in the second half of Monday's 2-2 draw to line up a semi-final with France in Paris.

The performance by a team with several players from the under-21 ranks indicated both that Turkey have strength in depth and that last year's unexpected place in the World Cup semi-finals, where they lost to the Brazilians, was no fluke.

Turkish football has been building up a head of steam since Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup in 2000.

The Istanbul club also reached the Champions League quarter-finals the following season -- losing 5-3 on aggregate to Real Madrid after beating the Spanish giants 3-2 at home.

At international level, Turkey have followed up their third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup with top slot in Euro 2004 qualifying Group Seven by two points -- albeit after playing a game more than second-placed England.

At the Confederations Cup, coach Senol Gunes is clearly building for the future, blooding the likes of impressive under-21 striker Tuncay Sanli, who celebrated his senior debut by scoring the winner in last week's 2-1 victory over the United States.

PENALTY LOSS

Unfortunate to go down to a stoppage-time penalty in their 1-0 defeat by Cameroon, Monday's stirring second half performance at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard was also a warning that France would do well to heed.

"If we play against France the same way we did in the second half, I don't see why we can't get to the final," playmaker Yildiray Basturk told reporters afterwards.

"We have a lot of Turkish people in France and I think there will be a 50-50 (crowd)."

Gunes is also looking forward to meeting the tournament hosts on Thursday -- his only regret being that it was not, as he had originally hoped, in the final on June 29.

Seeking to lower the expectations which have shot skywards both at home and amongst France's sizeable Turkish community, Gunes said: "We wanted to test young players here.

"Winning or losing is not important, what counts is seeing the new players coming through."

Back home, the Turkish press have greeted their team's triumph with predictable joy.

"The victory samba: Turkey lets Brazil off but reaches the semi-finals of the Mini World Cup," said the daily Hurriyet.

Sabah newspaper labelled Gunes' team "the dream kids", while soccer daily Fanatik carried a photograph of "The team who sent the world champions home."

Despite the current euphoria, the aspirations will not be easy to satisfy on Thursday.

After last year's World Cup debacle, France are determined to go all the way in this tournament and, in striker Thierry Henry, they have just the player who can take them there.

The French will certainly go into their next game as favourites. But whatever the outcome at the Stade de France, Turkey have once again proved they are a force in the world game.