EURO 2008 Preview: Turkey vs. Czech Republic

الأحد، 15 يونيو 2008 - 11:34

كتب : Omar AbdelAziz

Czech Republic and Turkey vie for the remaining quarter-finals spot of Group A in a match that could be decided by an historic penalty shootout.

The Turks have never won against the Czechs, but coach Fatih Terim is hopeful he can 'reverse the tide' this time around.

The last time Karel Bruckner and Petr Cech were involved in a shootout in Switzerland was in 2002, when the Chelsea guardian led the U-21 Czech team to EURO victory in Basel.

Therefore the veteran Czech coach is not concerned by the possible outcome of being forced into a shootout decider.

Head-to-head:

Turkey win: 0

Czech Republic win: 4

Draw: 0

Turkey

"I have checked the statistics and they are not very favorable to Turkey. Our aim is to reverse the tide and ensure that we're in the last eight. I know we are good enough and believe the time has come for us to beat them," said Terim.

"We have not practiced for penalty kicks. We want to have done enough to win this game over 90 minutes, but if the occasion arises, my players will do what they have to do."

Team News: Skipper Emre Belozoglu is still nursing a hamstring strain and was ruled out. Tumer Metin is also injured and will be replaced by Semih Senturk.

Terim confirmed that Mehmet Topal and Emre Gungor will start at the expense of Gokdeniz Karadeniz and Emre Asik respectively.

Line-up: Volkan-Balta, Cetin, Gungor, Altintop- Aurelio, Topal, Arda- Semih, Tuncay, Nihat.

Czech Republic

"It's a huge game – like a cup final – and we know we can improve, but I have no doubt my players will win this game and progress to the last eight," Bruckner said.

"I don't know if penalties are fair or not, but they are the rules now and we will play to them. Penalties are the last resort but don't worry, we have five players who can step up and take them."

Team News: Bruckner has a fully fit squad, and is expected to introduce no changes to the side that was beaten by Portugal.

Probable Line-up: Cech-Grygera, Jankulovski, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi- Galasek, Polak, Sionko, Plasil, Matejovsky-Baros.

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