Porto (AP) – Stefan Kuntz was in a good mood. The football-
Turkey coach sat calmly at Porto’s Estádio do Dragão, but he didn’t hide his determination.
“We will have a match plan,” announced the 59-year-old before the tense duel with Portugal in the evening (8:45 p.m.). “I am convinced that my players are ready to take on this challenge.”
For the former U21 national coach, it’s about nothing less than a ticket for the World Cup in Qatar. To do this, the Turks have to stop Cristiano Ronaldo, the 37-year-old would miss his possibly last World Cup. But Ronaldo is not the only personality that is in focus in the playoffs for the last tournament places. It is also about the future of two coaches, the sporting fate of the European champion and the hopes of another veteran star.
mode
Since it is only the semifinals, the winner of the match between Portugal and Turkey would not automatically get the World Cup ticket. In the final next Tuesday it would still be against the winner of the game between Italy and North Macedonia. In another semi-final, Wales meets Austria, with the winner playing either Scotland or Ukraine in the final. This game was moved to the summer because of the war. Because the Russians were also excluded, Poland is already further along. In the final, Poland would play against the winner of the fourth semi-final between Sweden and the Czech Republic.
Trainer
Austria’s German coach Franco Foda is under pressure. Should David Alaba and Co. not make it to Qatar, it would probably mean the end for Foda. Portugal coach Fernando Santos also needs a win. If Portugal can’t beat Turkey in front of their home crowd, the 67-year-old will probably have to leave after almost eight years as national coach.
Altstars
Ronaldo is now 37 years old, so falling out of the playoffs could mean that the exceptional striker will never play at a World Cup again. The same should apply to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 39-year-old is in the squad of the Swedes.
European Champion
Given the explosive constellation, it is already certain that Portugal or Italy – and maybe even both teams – could miss the World Cup. If the European champions are not there, it would be the next final round without the Italians after the 2018 World Cup. However, no one seems to believe that at the Azzurri. On the contrary. “We want to be world champions,” said national coach Roberto Mancini.