Türkiye may be heading to just their third - and their first in more than two decades – but they’ve arrived in a bullish mood.
Speaking ahead of their opening Group D fixture with Australia, captain Hakan Calhanoglu didn’t hold back in his assessment of how things may unfold in Vancouver.
“We know [Australia] are physical and good on corner kicks and free kicks because they are tall and strong. But I think we will dominate the game because we have more qualities and [a] more talented team, so we will see what happens.”
Asked afterwards to reflect on his skipper’s rather frank viewpoint, head coach Vincenzo Montella was far more circumspect, stressing that he sees the group, which also contains co-hosts USA and Paraguay, as being wide open.
“I think it’s a really balanced group, and all four teams will hope that they can progress from the group stage. I honestly don’t feel that any team is stronger or weaker than any other and maybe if so, it’s the case that we could even be considered the fourth of the teams.”
Coming up to three years in charge of a nation that he describes as “incredibly passionate,” the former Italian international is keenly aware of the weight of expectation that his team carries. He knows too how deep the hurt is for a fanatic Turkish public that have been longing for a return to the global finals after a remarkable third place finish at Korea/Japan 2002.
“This is something that we’ve been waiting 24 years for. There’s a lot of emotion and trust for us to do well now. So we know the challenge that we face, but want to enjoy it and make sure that the nation will be proud of us.”
“I feel this responsibility and know we need to do our best. I feel it even more because for me the country feels like my adopted home and my passion towards the team is complete.”
That passion has extended to large throngs of travelling supporters convening outside the team’s hotel in Vancouver, and Montella knows just how important a factor that vocal backing could be in the section starter against the Socceroos.
“We’ve been feeling right at home with all the supporters gathering outside the hotel and wishing us luck, and we know that there is such a huge passion for this team right across the whole country.
“The team too reflects those values, they are brave and play with pride and enthusiasm. Of course, people can be proud that we are here after 24 years but we need to avoid thinking about all these things.
“Now we need to focus on being well-balanced and avoid being too frenetic, to play with courage, passion and display the moral values that represent our country.”
Sources: FIFA Official
