Turkey captain Hakan Çalhanoglu was left with a bitter aftertaste regardless of a tenacious show as his facet let a one-goal lead in opposition to Netherlands slip of their Euro 2024 quarterfinal on Saturday, sending them dwelling from the event.
In entrance of a raucous crowd of Turkish followers at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, Turkey took a first-half lead via Samet Akaydin, however a header from Stefan de Vrij and an personal aim by Mert Müldür breached their defences and noticed the Dutch advance.
“After we take a look at the event normally, groups that take a 1-0 lead typically sit again. I do not know why that is the case, however it was the identical for us at present. We sat again lots,” Çalhanoglu advised reporters.
“We conceded two objectives in seven minutes, which in fact harm us just a little. Ultimately, we tried to try to had an opportunity with lengthy balls, however we could not take benefit.
“Typically issues like this occur in soccer. We have to be taught from this. I’m pleased with everybody.”
With Turkey set to co-host the event with Italy in 2032, German-born 30-year-old Çalhanoglu mentioned his facet had discovered lots that they might use to construct in the direction of the long run.
“So long as we’re united, so long as we’re collectively, we are able to obtain something. Now we have all the time proven this,” he mentioned.
Çalhanoglu and a number of other different Turkish gamers thanked their followers, lots of whom reside in Germany.
“I want to thank our nation, they supported us very properly. We went into the matches as if we had been the house staff,” midfielder Orkun Kökçü, who was suspended for the Dutch conflict, mentioned.
“They had been an awesome motivation for us. We’re unhappy, however in the long run it was a event that we are going to be pleased with. Hopefully we shall be profitable within the upcoming tournaments,” he added.
