 The Turkish Ambassador to Korea Tomur Bayer said Thursday, there were no problems in relations between Seoul and Istanbul, because of the controversial judgment by a South Korean referee in his country's match against Brazil. With Turkey heading for the second round Ambassador Bayer expressed his thanks to South Korean fans for their support of his nation.
In the Group C soccer match Turkey lost 2-1 on the referee's decision, which sparked some anti-Korea sentiment. Bayer said, however, only a few Turkish citizens and newspapers paid attention to it and this would change after the second round. "Such thing happens in every match," he said, "Our players got through by playing their best in the other matches.
When asked his opinion on the call by the referee, he said he had his own personal opinion, but that was not the point and the players accepted it.
Taking up his position 19 months ago, Bayer said Koreans and Turks are very similar culturally, maintaining extended families and respecting parents and the elderly.
Team Turkey (FIFA Ranking 22nd) qualified for the second round for the first time in 48 years, 1-1-1 in matches against Brazil, Costa Rica, and China on goal difference.
(Koo Seong-jae, sjkoo@chosun.com )
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