Ultraslansi (Wikimedia Commons)
With head coach Fatih Terim back at the helm for the first time since 2009, Turkey wiped an Andorra side by a score of 5-0. The score pretty much says it all, but let’s break it down for you.
In the latest World Cup qualifier, Turkey hosted and dismantled Andorra in a 5-0 thumping thanks to a hat-trick from Gala striker Umut Bulut while Burak Yilmaz and Arda Turan both found the net once each as well. All of the goals were magnificent in an overall dominant performance, but there are still flaws in their game…
Turkey started out underestimating their opponents as they tried to pass the ball around slowly and make light runs. This was never going to work against a side who came here to play and play some physical soccer at that.
What was slightly unbelievable was that it took Turkey 35 minutes to score the opening goal, especially since Terim is a coach that knows exactly how to ignite the best inside his players to get the best out of them.
After the half-time interval, the team started to take the game even more seriously… after a 2-0 lead since the break.
The two best players were none other than Bulut who scored three and the man who assisted all of those goals: Gokhan Tore. The youngster was strong, smart and extremely dangerous down the right flank throughout the game. He assisted each goal to perfection and could have even scored a couple of his own.
Now with all three points locked up form this game, Turkey visit a tricky trip to Romania on Tuesday… just days after the host nation ripped Hungary 3-0 on the same soil. If the Turks find a way to win this game, they will be even closer to a play-off spot in the WC qualifiers.
Can they do it? Time, patience, bravery, skill and luck will only tell this Tuesday.
