VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) 鈥� Turkey is back in the for the first time since 2002 and, despite the long absence, captain Hakan Calhanoglu has made some bulletin-board worthy comments about his team鈥檚 first opponent.
鈥淚 think we will dominate (Saturday), the game, because we have more qualities and a more talented team,鈥� Calhanoglu said Friday of Australia, Turkey’s opponent at BC Place. 鈥淪o we will see (Saturday) what happens.鈥�
Turkey has had its share of continental success throughout much of this century but did not qualify for the past five World Cups. Australia is playing in its sixth consecutive World Cup and advanced to the knockout stage in Qatar in 2022.
鈥淗e鈥檚 allowed to have his own opinion,鈥� Australia midfielder Aiden O鈥橬eill said Friday about Calhanoglu鈥檚 comments. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got quality players on our team, too, so we鈥檙e ready.鈥�
Calhanoglu, a 32-year-old midfielder who won a Serie A championship this season with Inter Milan, and Turkish manager Vincenzo Montella also complimented the Socceroos.
鈥淚 would like to use some of their techniques because I think they are interesting techniques,鈥� Montella said.
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Ben Kule is a student in the University of Georgia鈥檚 Carmical Sports Media Institute.
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