01.04.2026 11:11
The experienced defender of the Turkish National Football Team, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, said, "What happened last night while we were at the hotel... I understood one more thing today. The Turk has no friend other than another Turk. We have seen that. We are very happy. God willing, we will do great things there as well."
The Turkish National Football Team secured their right to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Kosovo 1-0 away in the Play-Off Final of the European Qualifiers, marking their return to the World Cup after 24 years. Following the match, experienced defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı spoke to Demirören News Agency. Abdülkerim Bardakcı expressed that they fully deserved to qualify for the World Cup and also commented on the fireworks and noise made by the opposing team's fans trying to disturb the team last night. Bardakcı said, "I am very happy. We deserved this until the end. We have a great team. We have become completely like a family. I can't distinguish. Thank God we are happy. But I want to mention one more thing, so it doesn't stay inside me. What happened last night while we were at the hotel... I understood one more thing today. The Turk has no friend other than another Turk. We saw that. We are very happy. God willing, we will do great things there as well," he stated.
Commenting on the whistling during the National Anthem before the match, the 31-year-old experienced center-back said, "It was not nice to be whistled while the National Anthem was being played. After all, it is our brother country. But we are happy. These things motivate us differently," he said.
'THERE IS NO TASK WE CANNOT OVERCOME WITH THIS TEAM'
Abdülkerim Bardakcı, who believes they will do great things in the World Cup as well, stated, "There is no task we cannot overcome with this team. God willing, we will do great things there as well. Our only focus was to be able to go to the World Cup. Right now, we are more relaxed. We are more confident. God willing, we will do great things there as well," he concluded his remarks.