Turkey’s national team heads into its World Cup opener against Australia with confidence, and several of its leading players have made that message clear. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, İsmail Yüksek, and Ozan Kabak all spoke to TRT Spor before the match, stressing that Turkey know their own strength and are ready for the challenge.
The comments came as Australia tried to put pressure on Turkey with remarks of its own, but the response from the Turkish camp was blunt. Hakan Çalhanoğlu said the opposition should think whatever it wants, adding that Turkey knows the level it has reached through the clubs and tournaments its players have experienced.
Çalhanoğlu Says Turkey Know Their Level
Çalhanoğlu underlined that this is a return to the tournament after 24 years and said the important thing now is to write new stories. He also pointed to Australia’s physical style and suggested they could be dangerous on set pieces and counterattacks.
He added that Turkey have their own weapons, including players who are strong in the air and dangerous from distance, and said those qualities must be used on the pitch. His message was that respect for the opponent does not change Turkey’s belief in its own quality.
İsmail Yüksek Says the Pressure Talk Misses the Point
İsmail Yüksek said the team must move past the excitement now that the tournament has started for Turkey. He called it a proud moment to represent the country on such a stage and said the goal is to go as far as possible.
He described Australia’s comments as strange and said they do not really know Turkey or the pressure that exists in Turkish football. Yüksek also noted that this squad includes players with top-level club experience and said the team has already shown in previous tournaments that it can handle big moments.
Ozan Kabak Focuses on Preparation
Ozan Kabak said the squad is highly motivated and ready after its final training session. He described Australia as physically strong, but said Turkey have prepared well and know exactly what they want to do on the field.
Kabak also mentioned the support from Turkish fans, saying the team is never left alone wherever it goes. With the analysis complete, he said the focus now is simply on getting a good result.