Turkish focus on major task

By Türker Tozar and Pavle Gognidze

Turkey have the expectation of a nation resting on their shoulders tonight when they take on Latvia in the second leg of their UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off.

All quiet
The 2002 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists trail 1-0 from Saturday's match in Riga and a vastly improved performance is needed, and demanded, in Istanbul. As a result, the players and coach Senol Günes have concentrated solely on the task at hand rather than talk publicly.

'Powerful side'
However, Turkish Football Association president Haluk Ulusoy has spoken out. He said: "We are a very powerful side. Our players will try to play above their capacity in order to please the 70 million Turkish people."

Rüstü missing
Changes are expected. Günes may leave out Okan Buruk and Ergün Penbe and replace them with Gökdeniz Karadeniz and Tümer Metin. However, it is the enforced alterations that most worry Turkish fans. Günes will be without the experienced goalkeeper Rüstü Reçber and key defenders Fatih Akyel and Emre Asik through suspension.

Young stars
To cover, Ibrahim Toraman and Servet Çetin have been drafted in from the Under-21 side. It is thought that Ümit Davala will replace Fatih Akyel while Deniz Baris will fill in for Emre Asik. In goal, Ömer Çatkiç should deputise for Rüstü.

Still positive
Günes has every confidence, however, that his team can overturn their deficit. After returning from Latvia, he said: "We showed over there that we can beat them. And we still can beat them. If we play our normal game, then we can secure a place in finals." Key to their chances will be the attack. Günes may well try a different approach than four days ago with veteran forward Hakan Sükür starting alongside Ilhan Mansiz and Nihat Kahveci moved to the right flank.

Pahars boost
Latvia, meanwhile, could be even stronger up front, where Marians Pahars could make a long-awaited return after a succession of injury woes. "This is one more proof that nothing heals like a victory. Marians is fit for the match," said coach Aleksandrs Starkovs. However, Starkovs is almost certain to start with Maris Verpakovskis and Vits Rimkus.

Duo return
Also back from suspension are defenders Dzintars Zirnis and Mihails Zemlinskis, although injured left-back Olegs Blagonadezdins will not be available and neither will Valentins Lobanovs after his yellow card on Saturday. It is likely that Jurijs Laizans will return in midfield, with Zemlinskis operating in central defence and Aleksandrs Isakovs and Zirnis as wing-backs.

Counterattacking game
Starkovs is refusing to give too much away but foresees a tough encounter. "It is clear that the Turks will want to equalise and will go forward, and we will play more on the counterattack. This is to our advantage, as we have quick and technical players."

Turning point
If Latvia do hang on, Turkish football observers are predicting an overhaul of the national team. The U21 internationals who played at last summer's FIFA Confederations Cup showed that Turkey's future can be a bright one. However, Hakan Sükür and company are not finished just yet, and with play-off victories behind them - including one to reach the 2002 World Cup, we may not have seen the last of them.