The Turkish National Football Team achieved a significant victory over Hungary, winning 3-1 in the first match of the UEFA Nations League A/B play-off round held on March 20, 2025, at RAMS Park. This victory places the team in a favorable position as they aim for promotion to the A League.
Orkun Kökçü opened the scoring for Turkey with a remarkable goal in the 9th minute, followed by a swift equalizer from Hungary's Andras Schafer in the 25th minute. However, Turkey rapidly regained control with goals from Kerem Aktürkoğlu in the 69th minute and İrfan Can Kahveci in the 73rd minute, sealing the win.
The match was attended by significant figures, including T.C. Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, alongside delegates from the Hungarian Football Federation.
Turkey will play the return leg against Hungary on March 23, 2025, in Budapest at 20:00. The stakes are high, as the winning team will secure a spot in the UEFA Nations League A League.
During the game, Turkey's goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır faced a challenging first half but remained resilient, only conceding after a defensive blunder. After Kökçü’s initial goal, Hungary leveled the score, putting pressure on the Turkish side.
Turkey's second goal came from a dynamic play, where Oğuz Aydın made a crucial assist allowing Aktürkoğlu to propel Turkey ahead again. İrfan Can Kahveci, who scored the third goal, showcased impressive skill that left defenders scrambling.
While the victory has bolstered Turkey's confidence, they will need to navigate the return match without their key player Kökçü, who received a yellow card during the match and will be suspended. Additionally, Kaan Ayhan was substituted due to injury.
Hungary, although momentarily halted by the Turkish securing of the match, will aim to recover in their home turf. The previous encounter between these two teams highlighted a competitive edge, making the upcoming match a closely watched affair.
Fans from both countries are highly anticipating the rematch as Turkey seeks to cement their place in the A League and Hungary aims for redemption. As the teams prepare for this pivotal match, all eyes will be on Budapest this weekend.
With the first leg concluded, and the return leg on the horizon, the Turkish National Team must build on this momentum for a successful outcome.
