Turkey 2-1 Switzerland, only one match left to go!!!!!!

We needed at least a tie for us to at least have a chance of going through to the next level. As we all know Fatih Terim and the milliler always love the big matches and usually do well in them. Yesterday’s game was no different. I decided to watch the game with a group of fellow Turk’s and of course the noise level was befitting a Turk. The tea’s were ready, the volume was cranked up, the floor was particularly hard. Great Turkish atmosphere all around.

Switzerland: 1 - Turkey: 2

Goals: Hakan Yakın (min. 32), Semih Şentürk (min. 57), Arda Turan (min. 90+2)
Yellow Cards: Eren (Switzerland), Tuncay, Aurelio, Hakan Balta (Turkey)

The game started off well for us, the team seemed much more organized and seemed to want victory far more than they did in the Portugal match. However the heavens opened up in the 12th minute, completely ruining our gameplan. As we all know, the plan was to get the ball up to the forwards who would then rush forth to goal. The rain just completely threw that out the window. As we all know we don’t have one forward who can head the ball properly (or so i thought). The one man who can do that is unfortunantly sitting home in Istanbul and watching the match and probably tearing his hair out.

The Swiss used their brains and realized that taking long shots would probably be best in such a field. In the 23th and 25th minute, Hakan Yakin’s and Tranquillo (sp?) Barnetta’s shots were saved by Volkan and were turned into corners. In the 27th min, Arda Turans header (Shoulderer?) came back off the crossbar. Just when I thought that we just might be able to get this game, the Swiss just sent one long pass to Eren Derdiyok who centered it to Hakan Yakin for the goal. Right then and there, despair floated over the room like an old tuna sandwich which you know you probably should have just thrown away after one too many nights under your bed. I said it out loud, we could not win this game under these rainy conditions. Only three minutes later Hakan Yakin couldn’t score into an empty net. (It’s obvious he’s a Turk )

Whatever Fatih Terim said in the dressing worked because when those boys got out they played with renewed vigor. Terim decided to take out Gokdeniz and Tumer and put in Mehmet Topal and that golden sub Semih Senturk. This worked miracles for us. These two youth players played with much more vigor then their predecessors. By taking Gokdeniz out (who never tries to help with the defense) and putting in an energetic holding midfielder, Turkey seemed to really get into the mood.

The Swiss however still managed to find chances in the 49th and 51st minutes, despite the milliler playing the better football. And in the 57th minute, Nihat’s golden cross found that super sub Semih who headed the ball in at close range. In the 73 minute Turkey got into a 2 on 2 position and Tuncay not only couldn’t get a shot off, gave a horrid pass to a wide open Nihat. Pitiful.

But then finally in the 90th+2 minute,Turkey finally got the fruits of their labor when Turkish goldenboy Arda got ahold of the ball, took on two defenders, got off a shot (which deflected off Muller’s ankle) and found the back of the net. I tell you right now, that living room completely collapsed. I just remember myself running to the Television and screaming GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with every ounce of breath I had left. Thank you so much Arda.

Now where do we go from here? First off there are a couple of players that deserve some special praise.

1. Volkan Demirel- In the past he used to eat some howlers but he seems to have learned from his mistakes. This match could have been his best one yet with the Ay-Yildizlar and with this morale he might do better yet.

2. Arda Turan- He’s only 20 years old and he’s so talented. I’ll admit he got lost towards the end of the second half but his sheer technique on the ball and eye for goal makes him vital to this team (If anyone wants to buy Arda from Galatasaray, his price tag is 30 million. Nothing less).

3. Servet Cetin- Without a doubt the most consistent performer in the squad. His sheer size and strength makes him almost impossible to get past. The Swiss Eren Derdiyok was completely lost throughout the match as a result of Servet’s tight marking. Way to go Servet.

And of course the disappointments:

1. Tuncay Sanli- I’m sorry Tuncay but your football has been garbage throughout the two matches. You haven’t done one productive thing so far. Fatih Terim just has to drop him from the squad. We can’t risk giving him a third chance in the Czech Republic match.

2. Nihat Kahveci- I’m expecting more from you Nihat. You’re supposed to be the star of this team, and yet I’m not seeing anything even remotely special from you. You’ve got one more chance this Sunday. I know you’re gonna do me proud.

3. Hamit Altintop- The second star of this team was also really lackluster. I’m 99% sure Hamit is injured and that he’s playing through it. Let’s see how much longer he can stand this.

4. Turqoise Unifroms- Are you kidding me? Who was the idiot behind this?

Where do we go from now?

The Czech’s haven’t been all that impressive this tournament so far. They were completely outplayed in their first match against the Swiss and lost pretty badly to the Portuguese. I really think we have a chance. The Czech’s will go into Sunday’s match with only thought on their minds. That they have to beat the “Turcos”. The Turks on the other hand are full of morale and belief that they can get something out of this match.

According to UEFA rules, if the first 90 minutes end in a draw, additional time will be played. If that doesn’t change anything, a penalty shootout will take place. We all know that Volkan saved three of Sevilla’s penalties with Fenerbahce.

Seeing blood on Emre Asik’s and Hakan Balta’s faces and uniforms brought pride to my heart. “Now that’s a true Turk!”. Without a doubt that photo will be the photo of Turkey in Euro 2008. Although another picture might just be better.