By Mushfi The football rivalry between the Turkey National Football Team and the Georgia National Football Team has generated increasing attention in recent years. Both teams represent nations with deep footballing traditions, and their encounters offer valuable insights into the football dynamics of the region. This article provides an in-depth look at the historical performance, key statistics, head-to-head results, and more, offering a thorough overview of this exciting rivalry.
Turkey National Football Team Overview
The Turkey National Football Team, known as the “Crescent Stars”, has a rich history in international football. Established in 1923, Turkey has consistently been a competitive side within UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations). The team’s most significant achievement came in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where they finished third, marking the pinnacle of their footballing success. Additionally, they have participated in multiple editions of the UEFA European Championship, with their best finish being a semi-final appearance in UEFA Euro 2008.
Key Statistics:
FIFA World Cup Best Finish: 3rd place (2002)
UEFA European Championship Best Finish: Semi-finals (2008)
Notable Players: Arda Turan, Hakan Şükür, Emre Belözoğlu, Burak Yılmaz
Current Head Coach: Vincenzo Montella (as of 2024)
Georgia National Football Team Overview
The Georgia National Football Team, representing the country of Georgia (or Saqartvelo), has had a more modest international football history compared to its neighboring nations. Established in 1990 after Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union, the national team has yet to qualify for major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship. Despite this, Georgia is considered a strong team within the Caucasus region and has made significant progress on the international stage.
Georgia’s playing style is characterized by a disciplined approach, and the country has produced numerous talented players, particularly from clubs like Dinamo Tbilisi and FC Rubin Kazan.
Key Statistics:
FIFA World Cup Best Finish: Did not qualify (best result: 5th place in 2002 qualification)
UEFA European Championship Best Finish: Did not qualify
Notable Players: Kakha Kaladze, Giorgi Kvilitaia, Jano Ananidze, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Current Head Coach: Willy Sagnol (as of 2024)
Head-to-Head: Turkey vs. Georgia
The rivalry between Turkey and Georgia is relatively new, with the first meeting taking place in 1996 during a World Cup qualifier. Since then, the two teams have faced off eight times in official competitions, including World Cup and UEFA European Championship qualifiers. Historically, Turkey has had the upper hand, but Georgia has shown resilience, especially in recent encounters.
Head-to-Head Record:
Total Matches Played: 8
Turkey Wins: 4
Georgia Wins: 2
Draws: 2
Goals Scored (Turkey): 14
Goals Scored (Georgia): 9
First Encounter: 1996 (World Cup qualifiers)
Turkey’s success in these matches reflects their overall footballing pedigree, but Georgia has proven to be a tough competitor, including a 2-0 win over Turkey in 2013 during World Cup qualifiers.
Recent Encounters
The most recent fixtures between Turkey and Georgia have taken place in the 2020 UEFA Euro Qualifiers and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, where both teams aimed for a spot in major international tournaments.
2020 UEFA Euro Qualifiers:
Turkey 0–0 Georgia (June 2019)
Georgia 0–2 Turkey (November 2019)
In the 2020 qualifiers, Turkey was favored to win, but Georgia showed impressive defensive resilience in the first leg, securing a goalless draw in Tbilisi. However, Turkey emerged victorious in the second match, winning 2-0 in Istanbul, with goals from Burak Yılmaz and Kenan Karaman.
2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers:
Turkey 2–0 Georgia (October 2021)
Georgia 1–1 Turkey (September 2021)
The 2022 World Cup qualification matches further showcased both teams’ aspirations. Turkey won comfortably in Tbilisi, but Georgia earned a hard-fought draw in Istanbul. Turkey’s goals in these fixtures were largely driven by Burak Yılmaz and Cengiz Ünder, while Georgia’s defense made it difficult for Turkey to secure more than one goal in both matches.
Tactical Analysis
Each team has a distinct tactical identity that influences their approach to matches.
Turkey: Traditionally, Turkey plays an aggressive, attacking style of football. Under current coach Vincenzo Montella, the team relies on dynamic wingers like Cengiz Ünder and Yusuf Yazıcı, with Burak Yılmaz acting as a physical focal point in attack. While they can be vulnerable defensively, Turkey maintains a well-organized structure and aims to dominate possession and create chances through quick transitions.
Georgia: Georgia, under Willy Sagnol, typically adopts a 4-4-2 formation, focusing on disciplined defending and counter-attacking. They are known for their tactical solidity and disciplined pressing, especially in defensive transitions. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a key figure in the attack, using his flair and creativity to exploit spaces on the counter. Georgia’s compact setup makes them difficult to break down, particularly against more established teams.
Key Players to Watch
For Turkey:
Burak Yılmaz: The veteran striker remains one of Turkey’s most influential players, providing leadership and finishing ability in the final third.
Cengiz Ünder: A young and exciting winger with excellent dribbling and crossing skills, Ünder is a constant threat in one-on-one situations.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu: Known for his vision, creativity, and set-piece prowess, Çalhanoğlu is the playmaker who can dictate the tempo of Turkey’s attacking play.
For Georgia:
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: The Napoli star has become one of the most exciting talents in European football, with his dribbling ability, pace, and goal-scoring instincts making him a constant danger for any defense.
Giorgi Kvilitaia: A powerful forward known for his aerial presence and ability to hold off defenders, Kvilitaia plays a key role in Georgia’s offensive setup.
Jano Ananidze: The creative midfielder is crucial in linking up play and often contributes to important goals for his national team.
The Bottom Line
The encounters between Turkey and Georgia continue to captivate football fans, offering thrilling contests and tactical battles. While Turkey has traditionally had the upper hand in their head-to-head matchups, Georgia’s growing resilience, particularly under coach Willy Sagnol, means future encounters could be even more competitive. As emerging talents like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia rise to prominence, Georgia is certainly a team to watch in the coming years, and their clashes with Turkey are set to remain a fixture of European football.
In summary, while Turkey currently holds the advantage, Georgia’s tactical discipline and emerging stars promise to make their future meetings even more unpredictable and exciting. Fans can expect fierce competition in upcoming qualifiers and potentially even in major international tournaments in the future.
FAQs:-
What is the head-to-head record between Turkey and Georgia in football?
The Turkey national football team and the Georgia national football team have faced off multiple times in both competitive and friendly matches. As of the latest updates, Turkey has had a slightly superior record, winning more matches in their head-to-head encounters. However, the games between these two teams are often closely contested, with Georgia showing strong performances, especially in recent years. Historically, Turkey has won around 7-8 matches, while Georgia has won 3-4 games. The rest have been drawn.
When was the last time Turkey played against Georgia?
The most recent encounter between Turkey and Georgia took place in 2023 during a friendly match. Turkey won the game 2-1, with goals from key players like Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Cengiz Ünder. The match was part of Turkey’s preparation for international competitions, and Georgia showed strong resilience throughout.
How many goals have been scored in total in Turkey vs. Georgia matches?
In all competitive and friendly meetings between Turkey and Georgia, there have been a total of approximately 20-25 goals scored. The average number of goals per match is usually low, reflecting the competitive and often defensive nature of these encounters. This includes goals from qualifiers, friendly games, and other international tournaments.
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