Türkiye will make its long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup on Saturday when they face Australia in a Group D opening match at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.
The tournament marks the first time the Crescent Stars have qualified for the global stage since their bronze-medal performance 24 years ago in 2002.
>>> US Faces Paraguay in World Cup Opener in Los Angeles
Çalhanoğlu Confident in Technical Edge
Türkiye captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu expressed immense confidence regarding his team's superior technical ability ahead of their final training session on Friday.
"Our coach analysed them with us together," Çalhanoğlu told media Friday ahead of Turkey's final training session before Saturday's clash.
The Inter Milan midfielder acknowledged the physical attributes of the Australian team but insisted that tactical superiority would dictate the outcome of the match.
"We know that they're a physical team, that they're good on corner kicks and the free kicks, because they are tall and strong," Çalhanoğlu said.
The skipper added that the squad remains highly focused on executing their game plan to secure an early advantage in a group that also includes Paraguay and the United States.
"But I think that we dominate tomorrow, the game, because we have more qualities and a more talented team, so we will see tomorrow what happens," Çalhanoğlu said.
The veteran midfielder also addressed the immense pressure coming from the football-mad population of 87.9 million people back home.
"It's [been] a long time, very long time," Çalhanoğlu said.
