6 October 2003
Update: my timing sucks. Jesus fucking Christ, Rio.
There are some football matches on Saturday, you know. Not like the normal ones: these are international matches, when we football fans discard the outmoded tribalism of club football, and replace it with the outmoded tribalism of international football.
Although I’m biased, it’s quite apparent that the biggest match of the weekend is Turkey vs England. Two sides in the top ten of the FIFA rankings, World Cup semi- and quarter-finalists respectively, both only beaten by eventual champions Brazil. The two sides will meet in Istanbul, in the hothouse of Fenerbahçe’s Sükrü Saraçoglu stadium, knowing that any result other than a Turkish win will see England qualify automatically for next year’s European Championship in Portugal. The losers get a play-off, potentially against Wales or Scotland, but also potentially against Spain or Holland.
Viewed in isolation, therefore, this match is big. Viewed in context, it’s bigger. No, it’s not of Earth-shattering significance, even to England and Turkey fans, but hooliganism off the field threatens to overshadow the match.
Perhaps this is why there is an almost complete absence of analysis of the Turkish squad. It’s almost as if the nation’s media have forgotten England are playing a quality side, that as long as Owen is fit, Rooney doesn’t get sent off, and the fans behave (i.e., stay away), that we’re guaranteed the result.
Sure, there have been a couple of mentions of Turkish players, but mostly because of how they’ve played against English team recently. Sergen Yalçin, an unpredictable talent if ever there was one, scored twice for Besiktas against Chelsea in midweek and got himself called up. Aston Villa’s Alpay Özalan turned in another dismal performance against Bolton on Sunday, and most match reports referred to his possible appearance against England.
Apart from that, nothing. It’s as if after beating Turkey earlier this year, we feel we have measure of the third-best team at the World Cup. Never mind that we were at home and at full strength, and that both sides knew they’d meet again for a probable decider. Forget all that — Michael Owen might not be fit.
I don’t get it. What has happened to Turkey in the eyes of the media? Is it that they are such animals the newspapermen can barely bring themselves to mention them, let alone think and write about their side? There’s set to be an intriguing midfield battle, if nothing else, with Turkey’s more technically gifted players against England’s hard-running long-ball specialists. I dearly hope that Mr Eriksson does not pick Paul Scholes, but plays Owen Hargreaves on the left and Stevie Gerrard in the middle. It will give our midfield more shape, it’ll allow our full backs to get forward, and we’ll be more robust in defence.
Honestly, though, I’m finding it hard to get too excited about the match. The snooker’s on (yes, I watch snooker), and England’s rugby side are in Perth preparing for the World Cup. They have a great chance of winning the thing, which is a somewhat unusual situation for any England side. But then, this isn’t a normal England side: these boys are utterly, jaw-droppingly professional, and unlike most English sportsmen, respond well to pressure.
I’ve been thinking about this a little, and I think the best long-term plan for English football is to have more players abroad. That’s not likely to happen in rugby, with a smaller marketplace and plenty of talent down under, but I don’t see why not in football. David Beckham and Owen Hargreaves are at the Spanish and German champions respectively, former Coventry and Arsenal youngster Jay Bothroyd has gone to Perugia (the club that signed Colonel Ghadaffi’s son, and is currently in the process of trying to find a woman to play for them). And just last night I heard on the radio a Bristol City youth, released at 19, enquiring about his options in heading across the Atlantic to MLS or South America. If he does go and it’s not just idle speculation, then that’s great.
Despite what the Spanish or Italians might think, there’s no shame in having a large portion of your national side play abroad. Something to think about, perhaps.
Rio
My thoughts exactly. How stupid can you be?
Posted by Paul on 7 October 2003 at 8:5:25.