Turkey have been dumped out of the World Cup with a whimper after losing to 10-man Paraguay – suffering elimination due to a new rule change.
On the face of it, many would think a win in their last game against the USA would give them a chance of progression.
But the rules have been changed and now goal difference is not the deciding factor between teams tied on points in their group.
Instead, head-to-head record is taken into account and now they’ve lost to both Australia and Paraguay, Turkey are guaranteed to finish bottom.
Turkey can have no excuses, however. Miguel Almiron was sent off for Paraguay for speaking behind his hand, another new rule.
The former Newcastle winger concealed his words and the referee was alerted to it just before half-time.
Turkey’s Mert Muldur looks dejected and in tears after his side’s elimination at the World Cup
He received his marching orders and Paraguay had to defend for their lives having taken the lead through Matias Galarza in the first minute.
In total, Turkey had 62 shots over their defeats by Australia and Paraguay without scoring.
They had numerous superb openings but contrived to miss the target and the players looked disconsolate at full-time.
Real Madrid star Arda Guler said: ‘We are very sad, we are ashamed. We apologize to all our people.
‘We tried very hard but it didn’t work. But we should have scored some goals.
‘We should have won these games… Everybody’s sad, everybody’s crying.’
‘I’m sad, but also very proud of my players’, Turkey boss Montella said in his post-match press conference. ‘They gave their all until the final whistle. Football is like that sometimes.
‘I am very, very sorry. There were high expectations on behalf of our nation. Our expectations were also high. I am also very sorry on behalf of the TFF [Turkish Football Federation]; I know how they worked. I know how the footballers worked.
“I have been in football for 35 years; normally it happens once in 50 years, but it happened to us in two matches,’ he said.
‘There are [62] shots in two matches! Not to mention ball possession. Fate was not on our side. I told our footballers to hold their heads up. As they sometimes say, there is nothing beyond destiny.
‘I always look at the percentage of hard work and determination of our footballers. I look at their spirit on the field. All of them had incredible determination. They fought until the end in both matches.
‘My support for them will be unconditional. No one held back; everyone worked and fought hard. It didn’t work, unfortunately.’
