Sports

İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu: Our goal is clear, but we need to proceed step by step

President of the Turkish Football Federation İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu said, “Our goal is clear, but we need to proceed step by step. It's close. Our first match is with Australia. We want to leave there with a victory. We know how advantageous it is to lead the group. If God permits, we will lead the group and then our path will open further, we will continue.”

The Turkish National Football Team continues its preparations for the match against Australia in Group D of the 2026 World Cup in the city of Mesa, Arizona, USA. TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu also attended today's training of the crescent-stars. Additionally, IBF lightweight world champion boxer Elif Nur Turhan followed the national team's training before her match in Mesa. Bayburt Mayor Mehmet Mete Memiş was also present at the training.

Hacıosmanoğlu, stating that Elif Nur Turhan will compete in a match in Mesa, said, "We need a boxer, we need to strike. I congratulate my sister Elif. I just learned she has a world championship. Hopefully, if she wins one more belt, she will have four belts. A first in our Republic's history. She will face an American opponent here," he said.

'WE WILL CONTINUE OUR PATH BY LEADING THE GROUP'

Hacıosmanoğlu, stating that their goals in the Cup are clear but they need to proceed step by step, said, "Our goal is clear, but we need to proceed step by step. It's close. Our first match is with Australia. We want to leave there with a victory. We know how advantageous it is to lead the group. If God permits, we will lead the group and then our path will open further, we will continue. It's hot but not humid. The sun has set, and the weather is pleasantly breezy. You can't achieve results without sweating. The kids are working hard. It's the perfect training atmosphere right now," he said.

ELİF NUR TURHAN: EVEN IF OUR BRANCHES ARE DIFFERENT, OUR HEARTS WILL BE ONE

Elif Nur Turhan, stating that even though the branches are different, every athlete's sole purpose is to represent the Turkish flag, said, "Seeing the Turkish flag in Arizona gave me great strength. It was a motivation before the match. Even though our branches are different, our hearts will be one, we will serve a single purpose, we want to represent our flag in the best way possible," she said.

Wishing success to both Elif Nur Turhan and the Turkish National Football Team, Bayburt Mayor Mehmet Mete Memiş said, "There is no such thing as coincidence in life. Hopefully, Elif will defend her title here, and our national team will reach the place in our hearts. I wish success to both Elif and our national team," he said.