Terim says team effort important against Netherlands

Coach Fatih Terim says it will require a team effort if Turkey are to complete their Group D escape act and qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup play-offs.

Terim's side trailed Hungary going into Friday's penultimate round of fixtures, but the combination of a 2-0 Turkish win in Estonia and Hungary's 8-1 defeat in the Netherlands lifted Turkey into the all-important second place. However, the margins for success remain narrow, with Romania also on 16 points – Turkey holding a goal-difference advantage of +4 – and Hungary still only two adrift.

The 60-year-old tactician is therefore demanding one last big push from Turkey's players and supporters when they welcome runaway group winners the Netherlands to Istanbul's ?ükrü Saraco?lu Stadium on Tuesday.

"We need more than 50,000 fans behind us on Tuesday – and we don't just need them but their hearts and prayers too," was Terim's battle cry. "There should be only red and white on show, because everyone needs to cheer for the national team and support them. It is imperative for us that the fans are tolerant of possible mistakes by my players. The fans have the ability to achieve what I and my coaching staff are not capable of doing."

In making his appeal for a united front, the former Galatasaray A? boss doubtless had in mind the arguably easier home games facing Romania and Hungary – against Estonia and Andorra respectively – on the climactic night of qualifying. Plus the fact the already-qualified Netherlands showed no sign of easing up in their impressive victory against Hungary.

"Getting three points against Estonia was essential," Terim said. "Now our journey of hope continues and if we do go to Brazil, we'll go together. This is the team of the nation – in victory or defeat, this status will still apply. The latest stop in our journey is the Netherlands game and hopefully it will not end there, meaning we'll reach a new destination in the play-offs. But the Netherlands match is one of the most important in the history of Turkish football. My players are ready; nobody should be worried about that."

Turkey must negotiate this test without in-form left-back Caner Erkin, who incurred a suspension with his yellow card against Estonia. Striker Umut Bulut has pharyngitis and midfielder Mehmet Topal an injury to his lower right calf, but both players are expected to be available after featuring in Sunday's training session.


/UEFA/