Estonia will most probably be playing a with a 10 man wall, this is were we need fast and agile players, quick passing will also help. They have only conceded 8 goals in the last 10 matches. As i explained in my previous post, the TSL (Turkish Super League) has a major impact on the national team. The arrivles of Frank Rijkaard and Cristoph Daum has seen Galatasaray and Fenerbahce (Turkeys two best teams) gain a 4 out of 4 win record in the TSL. We have far less injured players. Last year, Skibbe’s training tactics had Harry Kewel play in Center Back position as Galatasaray took on Hamburg. Aragones the same. If we loose or draw to Estonia then we can say bye to the South African dream.

Bosnia is a team to be feared. They have scored 18 goals in WCQ and only conceded 7 goals. Particulaly Edin Dzeko, he was second in the top scorer sheet as Wolfsburg became champions of the Bundesliga. Im scared that we may draw or loose to them as we lost to Bosnia in the Euro 2008 qualifacation in Sarajevo. We should be prepared to a heated atmosphere but i think that our team could handle the pressure.

Now on to some of our own news?

Nihat – Light injury as usual, i think he took my advice and pretended to be injured so he can make way for Sercan Yildirim.

Tuncay – He recently transferred to Stoke City. Judging his performance last year, i would have thought he would that he would be playing for Liverpool or Chelsea. But Middlesbrough asked for a very high price for him to transfer to Aston Villa.

Hamit Altintop – He is playing very well for Bayern Munih. He helped Bayern to a 3-0 victory over Misimovic and Dzeko’s Wolfsburg. He took a very hard shot and rebounded of the keeper and Robben was there to put in the rebound. He has a light injury so he may only come on as a sub, but he will be fit for the Bosnia match.

Emre – Playing very well for Fenerbahce but his luck ran out after he was sent of and received a 3 match ban against Manisaspor. I hope he does not get a red card in any match.

Here is the squad list.

GOALKEEPERS

1-VOLKAN DEMİREL FENERBAHÇE
2-SİNAN BOLAT STANDARD LIEGE
3-SERKAN KIRINTI IMKE ANKARAGÜCÜ
DEFENDERS

4-GÖKHAN GÖNÜL FENERBAHÇE
5-SABRİ SARIOĞLU GALATASARAY A.Ş.
6-GÖKHAN ZAN GALATASARAY A.Ş.
7-ÖNDER TURACI FENERBAHÇE
8-SERVET ÇETİN GALATASARAY A.Ş.
9-İBRAHİM KAŞ BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş.
10-HAKAN KADİR BALTA GALATASARAY A.Ş.
11-İSMAİL KÖYBAŞI BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş.

MIDFIELDERS

12-HAMİT ALTINTOP FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN
13-KAZIM KAZIM FENERBAHÇE
14-CEYHUN GÜLSELAM TRABZONSPOR A.Ş.
15-MUSTAFA SARP GALATASARAY A.Ş.
16-EMRE BELÖZOĞLU FENERBAHÇE
17-NURİ ŞAHİN BORUSSIA DORTMUND
18-ARDA TURAN GALATASARAY A.Ş.
19-TUNCAY ŞANLI STOKE CITY FC

FORWARDS

20-NİHAT KAHVECİ BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş.
21-SEMİH ŞENTÜRK FENERBAHÇE
22-SERCAN YILDIRIM BURSASPOR

Here is the official lineup –
Volkan Demirel, Gökhan Gönül, Gökhan Zan, Servet, Hakan Balta, Kazım, Hamit (Ceyhun Gülselam), Emre, Arda, Tuncay and Sercan Yıldırım

The Estonia match will be start at 9pm local time (UK 7pm)

Good luck!

So too sum it up, the 08-09 ended disasterous for Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Middlesbrough, Bayern Munchen and Real Betis which meant that our players were having a hard time defending, attacking and scoring. Mehmet Aurelio is injured and is going to be a out for a while and is yet to join a team. Tuncay is really over doing it now, he scored 3 goals for middlesbrough against Swansea in the championship! I mean, Turkeys captain doesnt even play in a top league! What kind of disgrace is that! We arent San Marino! (no offence). Hamit is back on form and back to the way we used to know him. He played terrific in this match. Nihat? Who’s that? When did he last score? I cant remember. His time is up, no offence Nihat but how many chances have you had to score? You wouldnt even be able to score in the Bank Asya league. You might think im poking fun out of our players but im not. What do they call it? Ah yes, constructive criticism. Nihat, please when you get called up for the national team, please pretend to be injured. Tuncay, your Turkeys captain and your playing in the Championship, if no one wants to buy you in the premier league, then come back to Fenerbahce. Hamit, dont break a leg.

All in all we may not make it to the world cup. But our new players look very promising, players like Sercan Yildirim who was being tracked by Manchester Utd assisted twice in the Ukrain match, he’s only 18! I think Sercan or Hamit deserved man of the match.

Fatih Terim the emperor, stop picking players that you like and start picking players that are good, i mean Sabri? He runs around like a headless chicken, and Ayhan? He could even score a one on one.

Never the less, i believe that the national team and the leage will have a great year.

France began the game brightly as Pires, Henry and Wiltord gave France a 3-1 lead at half time. Turkey was determined to atleast tie the game and began brightly in the second half as Tuncay’s 48th minute half volley reduced the deficit to 3-2. Turkey launched an attack in the dying minutes of the game and Ibrahim Uzulmez fell to the ground in the penalty area. Turkey was awarded a penalty. Yet luck was not on their side, and the shot narrowly missed the target.

Turkey face France on the 5th June and are set to play in Lyon.

Turkey also play neighbouring Azerbaijan on the 2nd of June. They will play at the newly constructed Kayseri Kadirhas Stadium.

Fatih Terim was recently released out of hospital after a boating accident. His Finger was broken in several places and some described it as “nearly coming off”.

Turkey’s squad~

Goalkeepers
1- SINAN BOLAT
2- UFUK CEYLAN
3- VOLKAN DEMIREL

Defenders
4- GOKHAN GONUL
5- SABRI SARIOGLU
6- CEYHUN GULSELAM
7- EREN GUNGOR
8- BEKIR IRTEGUN
9- IBRAHIM KAS
10- GOKHAN ZAN
11- HAKAN BALTA
12- IBRAHIM UZULMEZ

Midfielders
13- KAZIM KAZIM
14- TUNCAY SANLI
15- EMRE BELOZOGLU
16- NURI SAHIN
17- YUSUF SIMSEK
18- MEHMET TOPAL
19- CANER ERKIN
20- ARDA TURAN

Attackers
21- HALIL ALTINTOP
22- MEVLUT ERDINC
23- NIHAT KAHVECI
24- SEMIH SENTURK
25- SERCAN YILDIRIM

After it caused controversy because it was not part of our Nations colours it was decided that Nike would design a protocole for the remainder of the world cup. The Turkish FA also said that they will use this kit if we qualify for the World cup 2010 and the 2012 European championship.

The new kit will consist of white and red colours only. The shirt will have a red stripe accross the chest whilst the shirt is white. The shorts will be white with red coloured numbers and on the ankle they will wear red tape.

Also sorry for the big wait, ive been very busy with school.

Goal Keepers-
1-VOLKAN DEMİREL FENERBAHÇE
2-RÜŞTÜ REÇBER BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş
3-UFUK CEYLAN MANİSASPOR

Defense-
4-GÖKHAN GÖNÜL FENERBAHÇE
5-SABRİ SARIOĞLU GALATASARAY A.Ş.
6-EMRE AŞIK GALATASARAY A.Ş.
7-SEDAT BAYRAK SİVASSPOR
8-İBRAHİM KAŞ GETAFE CF
9-EREN GÜNGÖR KAYSERİSPOR
10-HAKAN KADİR BALTA GALATASARAY A.Ş.
11-İBRAHİM ÜZÜLMEZ BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş.

Midfielders-
12-HAMİT ALTINTOP BAYERN MÜNİCHEN
13-KAZIM KAZIM FENERBAHÇE
14-AYHAN AKMAN GALATASARAY A.Ş.
15-MEHMET AURELIO REAL BETIS BALOMPIE
16- EMRE BELÖZOĞLU FENERBAHÇE
17-NURİ ŞAHİN BORUSSIA DORTMUND
18-MEVLUT ERDİNÇ FC SOCHAUX
19-TUNCAY ŞANLI MIDDLESBROUGH FC
20-ARDA TURAN GALATASARAY A.Ş.

Attackers-
21-NİHAT KAHVECİ VILLARREAL CF
22- BATUHAN KARADENİZ ESKİŞEHİRSPOR
23- SEMİH ŞENTÜRK FENERBAHÇE
24-GÖKHAN ÜNAL TRABZONSPOR A.Ş.
25-SERCAN YILDIRIM BURSASPOR

Edit: Official Lineup-

–Gokhan Gonul—Emre Asik—Hakan Balta–Ibrahim Uzulmez–
———————–Mehmet Aurelio——————-
–Tuncay Sanli———Emre Belozoglu———-Arda Turan–
—————Nihat Kahveci———Semih Senturk——-

Player to watch-
Arda Turan- He is a versitile winger that can play on the left or the right given the situation. His quick feet allow him to go past players with ease and usually performs excellent in big matches as such. Im expecting him to be on top form for this match.

My Prediction-
Spain-Turkiye 0-1; I believe an over-confident side will sucumb to complacency and loose to Turkiye as we almost always perform againts big teams excluding the Portugal match.
For the Turkish viewers, the match will be shown on NTV.
Good Luck Turkiye!

This latest injury is again with his troubled right knee and will keep him out for a further four weeks, reports Marca.

Juan Albors, the club doctor, has revealed that it could have been just a two or three week lay-off, but they have made the decision to try and resolve the injury once and for all.

For that reason, he will not be available for around a month, but hopefully Pellegrini will be able to call on him again before the season finishes.

The injury problems are believed to have started back at the European Championships last year, and Nihat has repeatedly had to sit out first team action.

#Goal

Player Ratings
Volkan 7.0-
He saved shots and had good handling, overall good performance.

Gokhan Zan 6.0-
He looked Nervy at the start but improved in the second half

Eren Gungor 7.0-
For his first cap he handled himself very good.

Gokhan Gonul 6.0 -
He lost the ball on several occasions but was solid in RB position.

Hakan Balta 7.0-
Had Good positioning and handled the ball well

Mehmet Aurelio 6.0-
Although he scored, he lost the ball on several occassions.

Sabri Sarioglu 6.0 -
Solid performance

Ayhan Akman 5.0 -
I have nothing to say anymore he doesnt belong on the National team.

Kazim Kazim 7.0 -
He Struck the bar with a superb shot and assisted with Mehmet Aurelio’s goal.

Tuncay Sanli 8.0 -
He started of slow but then scored a superb hattrick. He is a asset to our team.

Mehmet Yildiz 5.0 –
He’s still young and i think Fatih Terim was trying to test him out.

Sub Performances
Halil Altintop 7.0 -
When he came on, players couldnt controll him, its ashame he couldnt score.

Nuri Sahin -
NA

Sinan-
NA

Selcuk-
NA

Caner-
NA

All goals.

Team Injuries and Banned players

1. Volkan Demirel- As we all know Volkan saw a red card for pushing Koller away during the Turkey- Czech Republic match. Many say that it was a bit harsh, but at the end of the day he’s out. today UEFA revealed that Volkan has been given a two match ban as well. One match for the red card and one for not going straight to the showers but sitting on the bench for the remaining minute. What an idiot. Couldn’t anyone there at the bench tell him to just go to the locker rooms?

2. Emre Belezoglu- It seems that Emre’s hamstring injury will make him miss the rest of the tournament. Im still not sure whether his absence will actually affect us negatively. I mean he only played in the Portugal match and didn’t do anything of importance. In the Switzerland and Czech Republic match the midfield held pretty well without him. But still, Emre’s quality cannot be disputed. We’ll see what happens.

3. Emre Gungor- In the Czech Republic match, the second Emre was injured in the first part of the second half. Team doctors say that he has a pulled calf muscle, effectively ruling him out of the tournament. Emre was a good defender but we’ll see what Fatih Terim has in store.

4. Tumer Metin- Tumer was injured in the water logged pitch at St. Jakob stadium in the Switzerland-Turkey match and was removed from play after the first half. I don’t think we’ll be missing him all that much.

In addition, the national team held a press conference today with right-back Sabri Sarioglu and central midfielder Mehmet Topal taking part. Here’s what they had to say:

Sabri:

“Even though I usually play as a substitute, I don’t believe it hampers my performance. Besides, after entering the match, we were able to turn the match around for a victory. I’m very proud to take part in this. The important thing for us in the Croatia match if to put our hearts into the match and play with all our desire. It dosen’t matter who we play against, we have to play top-notch football.

In response to a question about Turkey’s come from behind victories:

“Most of the time it takes us some time to get into the match, and as a result we concede goals. However we almost always raise our tempo in the second half and this is our key to victory. Hopefully this will also lead us to victory in the Croatia match.”

Mehmet Topal:

“Our goal is to beat the Croats and get to the next round. Thats our only goal, that’s the only thing on our minds right now. We as a team love to fight for the ball and we put our hearts into the match. We came here to be succesful. If that means winning the cup, then so be it. Im sure that the Croatia match will be a hard fought match with both sides attempting to get the better of each other. I feel that when it comes to the two teams forwards, we have the advantage. If we can also help out midfield and defense, we can beat them.”

And finally a pretty embaressing story from the training grounds. Apparently a group of Croatian camermen were able to elude security and reach the balcony of a building close to the national team’s training grounds in order to videotape the team’s tactical training. It was only when Fatih Terim himself noticed the crew and enquired about them were they “escorted” out.

Way to go TFF. If you can’t provide some basic security for the team, how can you expect Fatih Terim to lead this team ot victory?

While many people questioned as to whether or not Emre would be prepared to play, Fatih Terim has openly said that Emre will definatly play for the team in the center of our midfield. Hamit’s injury is quickly getting better and he will most likely play in the Portugal match. However Servet’s injury is still being examined and the physios are working round the clock to get him ready.

Terim has also stated that he does not fear any opponent but that he does fear his team not being physically and mentally prepared for the tournament. On Sunday the national team will take on Uruguay in another pre-tournament friendly match. The final squad is slowly being determined and is being conditioned for the Portugal match.

The Turkish media consistently reports that team morale is very high and that every day over 5000 Turks living in Germany come to visit and get a glimpse of the team and Fatih Terim himself. As I’ve said before, If we’re in good morale and have that legendary Turkish desire to win, there is no team on this Earth that can stop us.

We really need Hamit to be fit and ready for the Euro’s. He showed his class with Bayern and it’s players like him that we really need this summer. He can play in the defensive midfielder , right-back, and the right midfield. Players that are as flexibel as him dont come by often.

Let’s hope we’ll be able to watch him this summer.