Hiddink focused on Turkey qualifier
Reuters - Wednesday 01 June 2011, 15:35
BRUSSELS - Coach Guus Hiddink, strongly
linked in the media with the vacant job at English club Chelsea,
said he and his Turkey squad were thinking of nothing but
Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier in Belgium.
The Group A match is likely to determine who finishes second
because Germany, with 15 points from five games, are favourites
to top the table.
Belgium are second with 10 points from six games and Turkey
(nine points from five) occupy third spot, with both teams
scrapping it out for a likely play-off berth.
"Me and my team, we think of nothing but the Belgium game
right now," Dutchman Hiddink said in an interview with the
Hurriyet newspaper. "This is a key game.
"Nobody has knocked on my door yet, there is nothing
concrete to discuss. My contract with the Turkish football
federation is until 2012.
"It's not that easy to just leave and go away. Neither me,
nor the football federation, has received any official offers."
Both sides are without key midfielders - Hamit Altintop and
Nuri Sahin for Turkey and Marouane Fellaini for Belgium.
Belgium coach Georges Leekens said his players should not be
too concerned if they fall behind.
"They (Turkey) have reasonably attacking full backs so there
might be some space at the back," said Leekens.
"We will go into the match with the aim of scoring twice. We
must also not panic if we go behind."
Leekens appeared to want to keep the rest of his squad on
their toes when he said goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and central
defender Vincent Kompany were the only players certain to start.
Belgium have not qualified for a major tournament since the
2002 World Cup.
"I'm used to playing important matches for my club but with
Belgium that's different. It is a long time since we had a match
as important as this one," said Arsenal defender Thomas
Vermaelen.
"The Turks are practically ready to die for their country
but a victory is an absolute must for us."
Hiddink has been criticised for a lack of ambition after
telling a news conference last week a draw would be acceptable
as Turkey have a game in hand on Belgium.
Turkey also have fitness doubts over Fenerbahce right back
Gokhan Gonul.