Türkiye will kick off their UEFA Nations League B League Group 4 marketing campaign with a high-stakes conflict in opposition to Wales in Cardiff on Friday.
This marks the Crescent-Stars’ fourth enterprise into the Nations League, their third within the B League, the place they’re decided to safe promotion to the A League for the primary time.
Türkiye’s journey within the UEFA Nations League has been a story of ups and downs.
Their preliminary foray within the 2018-2019 season was marked by struggles, as they completed final in B League Group 2, managing just one victory in opposition to Sweden and three defeats, together with a disappointing house loss to Russia.
Despite this, Türkiye was granted a reprieve to remain within the B League as a result of format modifications.
The 2020-2021 season noticed Türkiye in B League Group 3, the place underneath Şenol Güneş, they confronted a tricky group comprising Hungary, Russia and Serbia.
The group managed only one win, three attracts and two losses, finally ending in final place and relegating to the C League.
Their solely victory got here in opposition to Russia with a 3-2 scoreline, whereas they drew twice with Serbia and suffered defeats to Hungary.
The 2022-2023 season introduced a big turnaround.
Under Stefan Kuntz, Türkiye have been positioned in C League Group 1 alongside Luxembourg, Faroe Islands and Lithuania.
Türkiye excelled, successful 4 of their first 5 matches and drawing two, together with a high-scoring 3-3 draw in opposition to Luxembourg and a slender 2-1 defeat to Faroe Islands.
With 13 factors from six matches, Türkiye topped their group and earned promotion again to the B League.
Wales historical past
Türkiye and Wales have confronted one another 9 occasions in official matches.
The historic report exhibits Türkiye with three victories, 4 defeats and two attracts.
Their inaugural match in 1978 noticed Wales edge out Türkiye 1-0 in Wrexham, with Deacy scoring the lone objective within the seventieth minute.
Their most up-to-date encounter was on Nov. 21, 2023, in Cardiff, the place the groups drew 1-1. Neco Williams scored for Wales, whereas Yusuf Yazıcı equalized for Türkiye, reflecting a intently contested battle.
One of essentially the most notable fixtures between the 2 groups happened on Aug. 20, 1997, at Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Türkiye emerged victorious in a dramatic 6-4 win, with the match ending in a high-scoring spectacle.
Wales enter this marketing campaign underneath the administration of Craig Bellamy, who took over from Rob Page after a disappointing interval that included a penalty shootout loss to Poland within the Euro 2024 playoffs and a string of poor leads to friendlies.
Bellamy, with no earlier senior administration expertise, is tasked with revitalizing the group.
Wales captain Aaron Ramsey stays a key determine, whereas Bellamy has launched contemporary faces, together with Leeds United’s goalkeeper Karl Darlow and Liverpool’s Owen Beck.
The group is navigating a transition section with accidents sidelining key gamers like Wayne Hennessey and Dan James.
However, underneath Vincenzo Montella, Türkiye are aiming for a powerful displaying.
Montella should address the absence of injured Brighton & Hove Albion’s Ferdi Kadıoğlu and the dropped Yunus Akgün and Yusuf Yazıcı, who stays and not using a membership.
Despite these setbacks, Montella can depend on key gamers equivalent to Hakan Çalhanoglu, Kenan Yıldız, and Arda Güler to steer the cost.
Türkiye’s marketing campaign will proceed with a house match in opposition to Iceland on Sept. 9, adopted by a fixture in opposition to Montenegro on Oct. 11.
They will conclude their group stage with away video games in opposition to Iceland on Oct. 14, a house match in opposition to Wales on Nov. 16, and a closing group recreation in opposition to Montenegro on Nov.19.
Source: www.dailysabah.com