Turkey Kickstarts 2026 World Cup Qualification with Thrilling 3-2 Victory Over Georgia – Nihat Kahveci Weighs In
Tbilisi, Georgia – September 5, 2025 – Turkey’s national football team began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 away win against Georgia in Group E. The victory sets a positive tone for their qualification journey, though former international Nihat Kahveci believes improvements are needed.
Kahveci, analyzing the match for the KontraSpor YouTube channel, offered a candid assessment of the performance, focusing on tactical observations and player dynamics.Key Takeaways from Kahveci’s Analysis:
Realistic Ambitions: Kahveci stated that securing second place in the group should be the team’s primary objective.
Red Card Justified: He affirmed the referee’s decision to issue a red card, suggesting Alper Yilmaz’s recent form and lack of coordination played a role.
Mert Müldür’s Impact: Kahveci highlighted the positive contribution of Mert Müldür,noting his strong performance throughout the match. He also praised Eren Elmalı as a standout player. Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s involvement in both goals – scoring one and assisting on another – was also recognized.
Yıldız Underperforms: Kahveci expressed disappointment with the performance of Kenan Yıldız, stating he failed to make a significant