Turkey to play Estonia today in 2014 World Cup qualifier

TALINN - Hürriyet

Turkish coach Fatih Terim and his team have arrived in Talinn on Oct 8. AA photo

Turkey will play against Estonia in Tallinn today at the FIFA World Cup qualifier to finally secure its Brazil 2014 berth.

The Turkish team which arrived in Estonian capital Oct 8 have been continueing its practice matchs in Kadrioru Stadium. Fatih Terim, who was recently sacked from his post in Galatasaray, will respond questions today at 18.3 in a press conference at ALe Coq Arena.

Italian referee: Nicola Rizzoli will be leading the game with the assistance of other Italian referees Andrea Stefani, Renato Faverani and Luca Banti.

Meanwhile Nuri Şahin will miss Turkey’s key World Cup 2014 qualification games against Estonia and the Netherlands.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been ruled out of training for three weeks due to an ankle injury sustained in a league game against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Şahin was included in Fatih Terim’s squad to play Estonia on the 11th October and Netherlands on the 15th October and was expected to be in the starting XI. Burak Yılmaz, who also missed training after picking up an injury on the weekend against Akhisar however, is expected to recover in time for the match against Estonia on Friday.

Turkey’s bid in World Cup

After missing out on successive FIFA World Cup finals in 2006 and 2010, Turkey is determines to be part of Brazil 2014. Hopes rest largely on shaping a new generation into a team capable of holding their own among the world elite. In August 2013 coach Abdullah Avci was replaced by the legendary Fatih Terim for his third stint at the national team helm.

Turkey came agonizingly close to a berth at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, but lost out to the Swiss on away goals after the sides drew 4-4 on aggregate in the play-offs. Turkey also qualified for the 1950 finals in Brazil, but declined to take part for financial reasons.