Ertugral – My Heart Is With Senegal

Muhsin Ertugral says his heart would love nothing more than a Senegal victory over England, but his mind feels the English may have the upper hand in tonight’s FIFA World Cup last sixteen game.

The Turkish coach previewed the FIFA World Cup for iDiski Times in Editions 79, 80 and 81 of the newspaper, and he had predicted both of these teams to progress to the knockout rounds.

The former Kaizer Chiefs, Ajax Cape Town and Orlando Pirates coach, who was most recently the Technical Advisor to the Turkish national team, has been covering the tournament in Qatar as a TV analyst.

While Ertugral feels that England will start as favourites, he is expecting a tight affair, and would love to see an African team progress to the last eight.

“I think they have what it takes to come over England, but England’s defence is what makes always an eyebrow up,” Ertugral told iDiski Times.

“England has for me one of the better structures, the offensive department, there are so many great, great players that could, any given time, any moment, unlock any defensive structures. Also from the individual patterns, those situations are very dangerous.

“So it’s going to be a tight affair. But I don’t think there will be a big difference.

“My heart is always with Senegal but my mind, technical parts, the tactical way, I think England has a little bit of an upper hand.

“But my side, my heart would really, really love to see an African team going to the quarter-finals but it seems to look like England will come through.”