Kerem Aktürkoğlu stood below the dim lights of Pratt & Whitney Stadium, sweat nonetheless clinging to his forehead, but his eyes shimmered with one thing past the pleasant win over the U.S. – a imaginative and prescient of Türkiye on the 2026 World Cup.
After scoring in Türkiye’s 2-1 comeback win towards the United States in a testy pleasant, the Benfica winger didn’t sugarcoat the efficiency. “We didn’t start well,” he mentioned. “A little hesitant, maybe tired – but we adapted, found our rhythm, and pulled through.”
Kerem acknowledged the jet lag, lengthy season and punishing schedule that left the workforce bodily worn forward of the match. “It wasn’t a beautiful performance,” he admitted, “but the result gives us a mental lift ahead of the Mexico game. We want to end this camp with full confidence.”
Not only a dream, an obligation
With Türkiye’s final World Cup look courting again to 2002, the starvation runs deep. And for this era, most of whom have been both toddlers or not but born then – it’s private.
“Our only goal is the World Cup,” mentioned Kerem with quiet conviction. “We’re not thinking about anything else. We believe this generation deserves to be there. We owe it to ourselves and to our people.”
Quoting Turkish FA President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu’s daring declare that Türkiye will qualify immediately, Kerem doubled down. “He believes in us. So do we. It’s time to end the drought.”
But for Kerem, qualifying is simply a part of the mission. “Just getting there isn’t enough. We want to make an impact.”
More than objectives
Though he discovered the online in Hartford, Kerem insists his position goes past the scoreboard. “Scoring, assisting – yes, they’re big for attackers. But even when I don’t score, I want to give everything to the team.”
Adaptability has develop into his trademark, thriving in any place the coach locations him. “Wherever the coach needs me, I’ll give it my all. Thankfully, the goals are coming too.”
Focus shifts to Mexico
With one other main take a look at looming towards Mexico on June 11, Kerem burdened the significance of enchancment over outcomes. “Mexico’s a strong side. It won’t be easy. But it’s not just about winning – it’s about playing better, building chemistry, and getting mentally ready for the qualifiers.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com