Turkey 3-2 Czech Republic, Watching Turkey is just asking for a heart attack

It was do or die time for the Turks. It was either beat these Czechs one way or another, or go home. Fatih Terim loves these kind of matches and decided to field an offensive line-up which raised eye-brows when it was revelaed that 5 Galatasaray players would take the field. I doubt anyone could have predicted the madness that was to follow.

Turkey: 3 Czech Republic: 2

Yellow Cards: min. 6 Mehmet Topal, min. 10 Aurelio, min. 73 Emre Aşık (Turkey), min. 76 Galasek, min. 90 Ujfalusi (Czech Republic)
Red Card: min. 90 Volkan (Turkey)

In stark contrast to the Swiss match, we started the match in a very lack-luster way. The Czech’s dominated game play, posession was almost entirely in their hands and one couldn’t help but notice the number of fouls that we were conceding. Indeed one of these fouls were punished by a yellow card to Mehmet Topal in the 6th minute. Aurelio saw a pointless yellow card only 5 minutes later for dissent. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Please just shut the hell up. Why would you go and ask for a yellow card like that?

For the next twenty minutes, Turkey seemed to consolidate and began to take shots on the Czech goal courtesy of Tuncay and Mehmet Topal. However in the 34th minute the Czechs came forward on a counter-attack and with a great cross into the box, scored the first goal of the game courtesy of that giant Jan Koller. In the 36th and 39th minutes, Nihat’s crosses were met by Arda and Servet respectively, to no avail.

First half ended 1-0 and it seemed that Turkey, while down, was by no means out of this match. While they were down a goal to nil, the Turks wre trying to make things happen. The midfield was holding well while the Czechs were pretty much coming forward through counter-attacks. A general rule I follow in football is that if a team plays well, they will be rewarded. One way or another.

That rule seemed to be pretty much thrown out of the window when in the 62 min., the Czechs capatilized on a massive mistake by the Turkish defense. About that goal, I think it was scandelous defending on Sabri’s part. How can you let a player just waltz up to where the ball is and allow him to slot it home? And yet at the same time, I can’t blame Sabri. I mean Sabri was raised his entire life as a right wing player, not a right back.

Right then at that moment, something happened. I don’t know whether it was God, Fatih Terim’s glare, or the thought of angry Turkish fans at the airport, but for some reason, the Turks decided that they were going to win this match. They just started to play amazing footy and turned the Czechs inside out. Once again that goldenboy, Arda Turan led his team to victory. He just completely tore apart the Czechs. I kid you not, if this kid isn’t playing in a European big team in a year or two, his talent will just wilt away. We have to prevent this.

In the 75th minute, Turkey launched a very well organized passing attack which resulted in Hamit turning in towards the edge of the penalty box where Arda just slotted it cleanly home. Great job lad.
It seemed that something could happen. That maybe, just maybe this game was not gone.

Then IT happened. The turkish media have laid down several reasons why IT happened. Some say that a very bright light or that a raindrop impaired him. Some say that he accepted a bribe the night before from the Turkish federation boss (they even have bullshit photos to “prove” it). Whatever the reason was, IT happened and Turkey drew level.

And finally, just when we thought our luck had run out, when we thought that the match would go on for another 30 min and the Czechs would find a way out of their own mess, Nihat got the ball, saw Cech, took an amazing shot and took Turkey almost singlehandedly to the Quarterfinals. In the Switzerland match I ran to the screen and yelled at the top of my voice. In the Czech match, I just collapsed to the floor and began to cry like a child.

And yet the madness was not done just yet. In injury time, the idiot Volkan yet again showed that he is more of an animal and not a goalkeeper when he pushed Koller to the ground. Im not sure whether the red card was as a result of a second yellow card or that the referee jsut gave the red card straight away for violent behavior, but Turkey was down a man with Tuncay in goal for the final minute of the game. Un-freaking-beleivable. Thankfully the Turks held out and Musab got the chance to celebrate. I remember saying that Vienna was our final goal. That at this point nothing can hold us back. Let’s see this Friday.

And so ended yet another dramatic Turkish comeback victory. However we definitly deserved the match. When we are pressed for victory, we just play outstanding football. Damn you Turks and your inconsistencies.

So who did well, and who could have done better?

Applause:

1. Arda Turan- Arda, when I watch you I feel like I’m watching a thirty year old veteran of this team. Not a 21 year old who only 2 years ago was a ball boy at the Ali Sami Yen stadium. Arda has so much potential that I’m afraid will not be realized if he stays in Turkey.

2. Nihat Kahveci- Nihat was just amazing. That third goal was a goal that only Nihat can score. I’ll admit I was a bit harsh on Nihat for his past performances against Switzerland and Portugal. However he completely proved me wrong and led us to victory. Man of the match by UEFA.

3. Hamit Altintop- Hamit provided assists for all three goals. He turned the ball across the field to a wide-open Arda for the first goal. He made the cross which Cech just completely screwed up leading to the second goal, and gave the through ball for Nihat’s final goal. Hamit wasn’t so into the match against Switzerland but I feel that he has rebounded well.

Disappointment

1. Tuncay Sanli- Tuncay has been playing terribly for the past three matches. And yet Fatih Terim just can’t sit him on the bench. I also want Tuncay to just burst onto the stage and lead the team to vicotry, but it dosen’t look like it’s gonna happen.

What Next?

Team morale is through the roof and the Turks are already screaming that the trophy is coming to Istanbul without a doubt. While I don’y know about that, I know that the road ahead is going to be a lot tougher than what we’ve had to deal with so far.

Next up is Croatia. The Croatians are a great team without a doubt. They’ve knocked England out and have defeated the Germans 2-1. Very impressive. Can we get another comeback victory? We’ll see this Friday.