Turkish National Football Team wins first match in European Championship qualifiers under German coach Stefan Kuntz
The Turkish National Football Team, under the leadership of German coach Stefan Kuntz, secured a victory in their first match in the European Championship qualifiers against Armenia. The team scored 2-1, giving them the first three points toward the tournament in Germany.
Not a Great Start for Hoffenheim’s Kabak on His 23rd Birthday
The match did not start well, with a sharp cross from Hovhannisyan resulting in a deflection off of Hoffenheim’s Kabak and into his own net. This unfortunate event occurred on Kabak’s 23rd birthday, and it did not bode well for the central defender.
Rotterdam Captain Kökcu Scores the Equalizer
However, the Turkish team quickly bounced back, with Rotterdam captain Kökcu scoring the equalizer in the 34th minute with a low shot to make it 1-1.
Turkey Takes the Lead with Aktürkoglu’s Goal
In the second half, Turkey continued to push and was ultimately rewarded for the effort. Ünal was fouled in midfield and quickly switched the ball to Aktürkoglu’s run, who was faster than his opponent and made it 2-1 for the Turks in the 64th minute.
Focus on the Future: Dreaming of the Tournament in Germany
Following this lead, Kuntz and his team held on to their advantage for the rest of the game. The coach has his sights set on reaching the home EM, and the players share the same aspirations. Turkey has participated in the 1996, 2000, 2008, 2016, and 2020 tournaments in the past. Their biggest European Championship success came in 2008, with a loss to Germany in the semifinals.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Turkish National Football Team demonstrated a strong start to the European Championship qualifiers under their German coach Stefan Kuntz. The team’s success in this tournament will be critical to their future achievements, and they will undoubtedly be aiming for a successful run in Germany.
