Turkey v Wales: Nations League – live

1 month ago 22

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Craig Bellamy talks to S4C with the atmosphere in the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri already bubbling up nicely. “Mark Harris is a dangerous profile … speed, looking to stretch the game … definitely a player for this type of game … the first 15-20 minutes will be massive but it will settle down … there’s a lot of scenarios that could arise … you have to embrace it … we’ve done enough meetings … hopefully we’ll be able to find solutions when they occur … adapt to situations … that’s really the test for tonight … this is football, it’s why it’s the greatest game in the world … I have full trust in the players, I believe they’re a lot better than I was … these moments … you have to take a step back .. this is why, to come here in an atmosphere like this … it’s going to be a test of course … but life’s about that, surely … whatever the outcome, I’m looking forward to what happens!”

Turkey – or Türkiye, to give them their Fifa-recognised name; the FAW haven’t pushed the button on Cymru yet – are much changed from the team sent out for the 0-0 draw in Cardiff back in early September. Merih Demiral, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Eren Elmalı, Yunus Akgün and captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu all start, replacing that day’s selection of Zeki Çelik, İsmail Yüksek and Kaan Ayhan, who are on the bench, and Çağlar Söyüncü and Kenan Yıldız, who are not in the squad.

Craig Bellamy makes four changes to the team that started the 1-0 win over Montenegro last month. Connor Roberts, Sorba Thomas, Jordan James and Brennan Johnson are in, taking the places of Ben Cabango, Liam Cullen and David Brooks, who are on the bench, and the absent Wes Burns.

The teams

Turkey: Günok, Müldür, Demiral, Bardakci, Elmali, Kökçü, Çalhanoglu, Akgün, Güler, Aktürkoglu, Yilmaz.
Subs: Akaydin, Ayhan, Bayındır, Haspolatm Kılıçsoy, Topçu, Yokuşlu, Yüksek, Yıldırım, Çakır, Çelik, Ünal.

Wales: Darlow, N Williams, Roberts, Rodon, B Davies, Thomas, J James, Sheehan, Wilson, Johnson, Harris.
Subs: Ward, King, Mepham, Norrington-Davies, Allen, Koumas, Brooks, Colwill, Cullen, Cabango, D James, Dasilva.

Preamble

With a win in Kayseri tonight, Wales can take a big step towards automatic promotion to League A. Defeat however would rule that opportunity out, while potentially bringing a relegation play-off into the equation. Plenty for Craig Bellamy’s ever-entertaining side to play for in Kayseri tonight, then! Kick-off is at 5pm GMT. It’s on!