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Turks describe Portugal as best team, but still feel confident |
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June 24, 2000
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - Now that Turkey has reached the quarterfinals of a major soccer tournament for the first time in its history, the team is beginning to feel the pressure of high expectations back home.
Turkey was much criticized at home for the way it played at the start of the Euro 2000, a 2-1 loss to Italy.
After a dull 0-0 draw with Sweden, Turkey finally shone in a 2-0 win over Belgium, one of the co-hosts.
"Despite a slow start, we reached the quarterfinals and that's extraordinary," coach Mustafa Denizli said Friday, 24 hours before Turkey faces Portugal at Amsterdam's ArenA.
Now, the nation expects more.
"Higher expectations bring pressure and more responsibility," Denizli said.
Turkey can be proud of its achievement, even if it is knocked out by Portugal. Turkey reached the quarterfinals in only its second appearance at the final tournament.
"We have reached our goal, but we will try to win again," Denizli said.
"Portugal is considered by many experts to be the best team in the tournament," he said. We know their strengths but we'll do our best to win."
Portugal won all of its three games so far, beating England, Romania and eliminating Germany, the defending champion.
"The other teams had their strategies and they couldn't beat Portugal. We did some analysis of their game but we will focus on our own strategy," Denizli said.
"Their stars are very effective," the coach said of Luis Figo and Co. "But our team is disciplined and we will try not to make mistakes."
"We have not been dominated. Turkey is also a good team and we did not come here with fear, but with faith."
Denizli said there were "no significant problems" in he Turkish squad. "We have only small problems and they will not cause trouble."
One of the "small problems" could be the twisted left ankle of superstar striker Hakan Sukur, whose two goals buried Belgium.
Although Sukur has missed practice, team officials said he would play.
Turkey's top star, known as the "Bull of the Bosporus" is bound for Inter Milan next season after helping Galatasaray win the UEFA Cup in May.
In 55 games for Turkey, Sukur has notched 28 goals.
"He is one of our most important players and he is very well known abroad. But our team is not built only on him," Denizli said.
The sending home of Tugay Kerimoglu, a Glasgow Rangers midfielder, "did not make an impact on the team.
Tugay was sent home after arguing with Denizli after he had been substituted against Belgium. He was also involved in a practice incident with a teammate.
The Turks have been on the move and are now in their fifth Dutch hotel since the start of the tournament.
"We have a saying, 'changing a place gives one happiness,' so we prefer to stay a short time in smaller places," Denizli said. |