Saturday, May 31, 2014
#USAvTUR Friendly: Preview on Turkey
Although Turkey did not qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil, they are a team with bright stars and undeniable talent. The most recent wins against Kosovo, Republic of Ireland, and Honduras emphasize Fatih Terim’s vision on further developing a strong unit. The next challenge will be facing Jürgen Klinsmann and the USMNT.
Turkey’s strength lies in the way they utilize the flanks. Caner Erkin and Gökhan Gönül are two critical pieces of the puzzle. The fullbacks elevate Turkey’s game with their ability to cross the ball into the box. The attack thrives off of these final passes in dangerous areas, which is the most damaging against opposition. The performance against Honduras showed how Turkey can effectively press and create space using time on the ball.
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| Via AP Photo |
As far as weaknesses go, Turkey will have to be mindful of turnovers. They are the most vulnerable when they lose possession of the ball. Defensive lapses will need to be avoided. When Turkey move with the ball, they risk playing a high-line. This leads to defenders getting caught out of position, which increases the likelihood of errors. Another improvement Turkey will need to consider is dictating the tempo throughout the game. They will need to carry out a sharp, passing style and simultaneously match USA’s stamina in the midfield battle.
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| Via Barry Cregg, Sportsfile |
Key players to watch out for are Onur Kıvrak, Caner Erkin, Gökhan Gönül, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Nuri Şahin, and Mevlüt Erdinç. First off, Onur is a very capable goalkeeper who is no stranger to making quality saves over and over again. His athleticism and composure are two of his biggest assets. Caner and Gökhan play one of the most demanding positions, but fulfill their duties with ease. They have an eye for picking out players as well as controlling the flow of the game. Hakan is one of most creative individuals Turkey has to offer. Primarily an attacking midfielder, he has immense potential. On the other hand, Nuri is the link between defense and attack. His experience and solid passing keeps the midfield together. Last but not least, Mevlüt is a strong forward with an impeccable work-rate. His mobility allows him to be in the right place at the right time.
Ay Yıldızlılar facing off against the Stars and Stripes will be reminiscent of 2010. USA won the friendly 2-1 last time, so Turkey will be looking for sweet victory this time around.
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| Via Washington Post |
Written by: Goral Patel
Follow me on Twitter: @goralpatel
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