VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Turkey is back in the world world cup It was the first game since 2002, and despite the long absence, captain Hakan Calhanoglu made some bulletin-worthy comments about his team’s first opponent.
“I think we will have the upper hand in the game (Saturday) because we have more quality and we are a more talented team,” Calhanoglu said of Australia, who will face Turkey at BC Place on Friday. “So let’s see what happens (Saturday).”
Turkey has enjoyed continental success for most of this century, but has failed to qualify for the past five World Cups. Australia has appeared in the World Cup for six consecutive years, reaching the final tournament in Qatar in 2022.
“He’s allowed to have his own opinion,” Australian midfielder Aiden O’Neill said on Friday of Calhanoglu’s comments. “We have quality players in our team as well, so we are ready.”
Çalhanoglu, the 32-year-old midfielder who won the Serie A title with Inter Milan this season, and Turkish coach Vincenzo Montella also praised the players.
“I’d like to try some of the techniques because I think they’re interesting,” Montella said.
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Ben Kule is a student at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
