Calhanoglu Stunned by Turkey’s World Cup Opener Loss to Australia | OneFootball

Inter Milan captain Hakan Calhanoglu has described Turkey’s 2-0 World Cup opening defeat to Australia as an unexpected result, expressing disbelief at how his side were undone by direct football despite controlling the game for long periods.

Calhanoglu spoke after the final whistle in Vancouver, with quotes via Tuttomercatoweb. The defeat marks a bruising start to Turkey’s long-awaited return to the World Cup stage – their first appearance at the tournament since 2002, when they finished third.

Turkey dominated possession, registering around 72% and outshooting Australia 30-9. It made no difference to the scoreline.

Indeed, both Australian goals came on the counter. Nestory Irankunda struck in the first half to open the scoring, before Connor Metcalfe capitalised on a turnover by İsmail Yüksek to seal it around the 75th minute, punishing a Turkey side that had committed forward in search of an equaliser.

Calhanoglu, who had predicted before the match that Turkey would “dominate the game” against an Australian side he considered less talented, was measured but clearly shaken in his assessment afterwards.

“È stato un risultato inaspettato,” he said. “Hanno segnato due gol con due lanci lunghi e noi non siamo riusciti a concretizzare le occasioni create. Hanno giocato solo in contropiede.”

In translation: it was an unexpected result; Australia scored twice through long balls; Turkey failed to convert their chances; Australia played exclusively on the counter.

Turkey 0-2 Australia – Calhanoglu’s Frustration Underlines Turkey’s Uphill Task In Group D

Coach Vincenzo Montella pointed to a slow start and problems dealing with Australia’s physicality in transition, acknowledging his side were outmuscled in aerial duels. The margin for error in Group D has narrowed sharply after just one game.

For Calhanoglu, who arrived in Vancouver carrying the weight of a nation’s 24-year wait, the loss lands particularly hard. He is Turkey’s captain and their most influential player – the one expected to turn possession into points.

Turkey must now respond. Their remaining Group D fixtures cannot afford another performance where dominance on the ball produces nothing at the final whistle.