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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Crunch Match for Terim and Turkey !

Turkish National team coach Fatih Terim has revealed his side's determination to finish the job in its 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, claiming his players had already booked tickets to Brazil 'in their head and their hearts'.


Turkey starts the final round of fixtures second in Group D but withRomania level on points, Hungary just two behind and unbeaten group leader Netherlands its opponent in Istanbul, it perhaps faces the longest odds of any of the teams still fighting for a place in the play-offs.

But its coach believes it has the will to advance and secure a place for next year's finals.

"Our players are already on their way in their heads and their hearts," he said. "But we also know our tail is still hanging out. The belief is not the same as the reality.

"Obviously the Dutch are not an easy opponent, they are one of the world's best teams.

"They have some of the single most important players in the world. We are aware of this and we intend to do our utmost against them. What we have done in the other games will not be enough, but we are looking forward to it.

"I will not need to give any sort of team-talk. Nothing I could say will add anything extra."

Netherlands has waltzed its way through Group D, amassing 25 points from its seven games, a draw with Estonia the only blot on its copy book.

Last week's 8-1 thrashing of Hungary highlighted the extent of its superiority, and it might seem like Turkey's only hope is that it travels toIstanbul so content with its lot that it does not play with the same intensity as the host.

But defender Ron Vlaar has pointed out that defending its unbeaten record is not the only motivational tool for the Dutch.

Those fringe players are now getting their chance and are determined to show Louis van Gaal they need to be on the plane to South Americanext year.

Vlaar is among that number, but is determined to prove his worth after starting against Hungary.

"I want to make it as difficult as possible for the coach," he told NUsport. "I had a number of matches under Van Gaal and then I didn't play for a while.

"But against Hungary I did well I think, as I have always done when I've started. I was able to take more initiative and it went well, although sometimes I need to show more guts."


Match starts at 2:00  New York time ...



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