U19 team guide: Turkey

By Türker Tozar

After completing the qualifying campaign in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship unbeaten, Turkey will hope to continue their impressive form in the finals.

Competitive group
However, it will be difficult for them to progress to the semi-finals. Spain, Germany and Poland are also in Group B, and each came through their respective qualifying games similarly unscathed.

THE COACH:
The 54-year-old Müjdat Yalman won two international caps for Turkey, and spent his entire playing career at MKE Ankaragücü. He then moved into the non-playing side of football, coaching at club level with, among others, Boluspor, Erzincanspor, Mersin Idman Yurdu and Zonguldakspor. Yalman became youth team coach at the Turkish Football Association three years ago.

'Top-two finish'
Yalman has set himself high standards. "We want to finish in the top two, playing good football in a fair manner," he said. "Our chances of progressing to the semi-finals are as good as the other teams, and if we do then our potential as championship winners will obviously increase." Yalman did not single out any individual for special mention, inferring that it was an opportunity for all his players to shine.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Despite strength throughout the team, a number of players do stand out. Selçuk Inan, a 19-year-old midfield player from Dardanelspor AS, appeared in all of Turkey's qualifying games scoring four goals in the process. This feat was matched by Ali Öztürk, a 17-year-old striker from Gençlerbirligi SK, who went on to play seven times for his club in the Turkish Super League last season. The young Fenerbahçe SK forwards, Olcan Adin and Kerim Zengin, could also make a significant contribution.

Case for the defence
The 19-year-old goalkeeper Serkan Kirintili of Super League side Adanaspor AS, conceded only four goals in the six qualifying matches, a result aided by the assured play of the defence. Ozan Tahtaisleyen of Besiktas JK's Under-20 team and Hakan Aslantas, recently transferred to Gençlerbirligi from German side VfB Stuttgart, are also youngsters to watch, and they will be ably supported in midfield by Galatasaray SK player Cafer Can Aksu.

ROUTE TO THE FINALS:
Turkey, in Group 12 alongside Scotland, F.Y.R Macedonia and the Faroe Islands, started their qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over the Macedonians. This was followed by a 1-1 draw with Scotland, before the Faroe Islands were brushed aside 5-0 to secure progress to the second qualifying round. There, Turkey opened their account in Group 5 with a 2-1 win over Croatia before routing Romania 4-0. Their final match saw them draw 1-1 with Russia, a result which meant they topped the group and clinched a place in the finals.

Honours in UEFA youth competitions:
UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Winners 1994
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Runners-up 1993
Winners 1992