Source: Xinhua
06-19-2008 14:58
Special Report: 2008 European ChampionshipsANKARA, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkey scored an amazing three goals in the last 15 minutes to defeat the Czech Republic 3-2 at Euro 2008 on Sunday, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on Thursday.
It was one of the most exciting games in recent memory, which sent the Czechs packing from the tournament. That was the second time the Turks accomplished this feat at the ongoing championship. Last Wednesday Galatasaray winger Arda Turan scored in stoppage time to beat Switzerland 2-1 and knock the co-host out of the competition.
Turkey coach Fatih Terim hailed his players after they conjured up some more late heroics on Sunday which took them into the last eight.
"I congratulate my team for their great performance," he said. "It rained once again and we had to sweat once again. I send my love and greetings home to Turkey. Go out and celebrate, go out on the streets and savor this feeling. My players are going to celebrate now, too, they deserve it. I said we'll be remembered for all this," he added.
The Turkish team arrived in Austria to prepare for Friday's quarterfinal with Croatia and were greeted by 2,000 fans at their first training session. With the exception of Emre Gungor, ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a calf injury, Emre Belozoglu and Servet Cetin, the squad's 20 remaining players attended the workout in Krems, northwest of Vienna, where the faithful fans chanted in unison, "We are proud of you."
The first 30 minutes were devoted to stretching and recovery work. Then the players who were involved in the heroic victory over the Czech Republic on Sunday left the training ground while the rest of the group took part in a light training and shooting exercise.
Meanwhile, veteran keeper Rustu Recber, who will make his tournament debut against Croatia following Volkan Demirel's dismissal at the end of the Czech match, was involved in a special workout with goalkeeper coach Eser Ozaltindere. Fener midfielder Mehmet Aurelio is also suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament on Sunday.
Larissa leftie Tumer Metin, who missed Sunday's win over the Czech Republic with a groin strain, resumed light training on Tuesday.
The slim possibility of Tumer's return for the quarterfinal against Croatia in Vienna gave a boost to Terim, whose team has been hit with injuries and suspensions. "There is a tiny chance that Tumer will be fit, but I think he will probably miss the game," said a team spokesman.
The results against both the Swiss and the Czech Republic justify the never-say-die mentality of Terim and his players. But can the Turks pull off another victory against Croatia? Or will their reliance on late fight-backs finally cost them against a side that gives little away? These are tough questions indeed because you cannot always come from behind to win in the European Championship, especially against a star-studded team like Croatia with lots of fleet-footed forwards.
If you don't concede goals, you can't lose and the worst result you can get is a tie. This means the Turks on Friday need a complete change in tactics, game plan and mindset.
They do not need two or three goals against the Croats, a victory even by the slightest margin (1-0) would be enough to see Turkey through. And bearing in mind that a penalty shootout would decide the winner on Friday if the game is deadlocked after full-time and extra-time, then a draw cannot be considered a bad result. Put another way, the Turks must play prudently. There is just no need to commit hara-kiri.
Editor:Zhang Ning
