I know it is a little bit early for this one. But it is a big game for us. Finally can we reach EURO again. With an victory - we are ready. With an draw - we only need to beat Malta.
Go Norway - We're back, and we're not tourists on a trip.
Go Norway - We're back, and we're not tourists on a trip.
Turkey coach Fatih Terim insists "anything is possible" as his side prepare for a match against Norway that they must win to have a realistic chance of reaching UEFA EURO 2008™.
Terim confident
With leaders Greece already qualified from Group C, Turkey trail Norway by two points as they vie for the second and final qualifying slot. Terim's men visit Oslo with the odds against them, having drawn with Moldova and lost to Greece in their last two games, yet the coach is confident they can rise to the challenge.
'Aim to win'
"We had planned to be four points clear of Norway at this stage but some unwanted results have put us in a different situation," he said. "Anything is possible in football. We aim to win and will do everything to achieve that. A win or draw is enough for Norway and we will play with this in mind. We have played similar games before and have overcome our opponents by sticking together. I believe in, and trust, my players."
Baştürk doubt
Terim's cause has not been helped by injury to FC Zenit St. Petersburg striker Fatih Tekke who has withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring injury. There is also concern over RSC Anderlecht forward Serhat Akın and Fenerbahçe SK midfielder Mehmet Aurélio, who both have flu. VfB Stuttgart midfielder Yıldıray Baştürk has a thigh strain and will be unable to train until Thursday.
Surprise omissions
So Terim will keep a close eye on the treatment table after being quizzed over his selection for the matches in Norway on Saturday and at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina next Wednesday. Terim has nonetheless felt secure enough to leave out centre-forward Hakan Şükür and defenders İbrahim Toraman and İbrahim Üzülmez, to the surprise of many observers. "Every player has their time to contribute," he said. "Those players have contributed to our side in the past. I respect them but we can't think of them as indispensable."
Unexpected inclusions
The coach has also defended his decision to pick five uncapped players at such a crucial juncture. "I don't agree with those who say that calling up Fenerbahçe's Semih Şentürk and Gökhan Gönül was a surprise. Semih is an Under-21 international and Gökhan has played for Turkey B. Defenders Yasin Çakmak and İbrahim Kaş are also tried and tested."
