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  Hakan Sukur - Turkiye

Position: Forward
Birthdate: Sept. 1, 1971

Club: Parma 

(Italy Serie A)                                

                     A National Hero From Turkiye
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Striker Hakan Sukur has had a disappointing World Cup campaign, failing to score a single goal. 

Sukur can make up for his lacklustre performance, however, if he can manage to rediscover his form and score against Brazil in Wednesday's semifinal. 

Sukur's scoring impotence at the World Cup betrays the reputation of this potent striker. 

Sukur is without peer when it comes to aerial skills, boasts tremendous dribbling ability and has a blistering shot. Prior to the World Cup, he amassed an incredible strike record, scoring 35 goals for his country in 70 games. 

Born September 1, 1971, Sukur was a child prodigy, making his professional debut for hometown club Sakaryaspor at the age of 16. Two years later, after establishing himself as a starter for the modest Turkish side, he was signed by Bursaspor. 

His stay at Bursaspor was short lived, lasting only two seasons before Istanbul giants Galatasaray came knocking. He made an immediate impact, scoring 19 goals in his first season and helping Galatasaray win another league title. 

During his first year in Istanbul, he earned his first international cap for Turkiye, playing against Luxemburg on March 25, 1992. He played a big part in helping Turkiye qualify for the 1996 UEFA Championship held in England. 

With nothing left to prove in the Turkish league, Sukurr made the big jump to Italy's Serie A, singing with Torino in 1995. He never caught on in Italy and Galatasaray quickly bought him back after only five games. 

The move turned out to be the best thing for his career, as Sukur scored an amazing 38 goals in his first season back with Galatasaray. Things only got better as he helped lead Galatasaray to victory in the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup final over Arsenal. 

Once again, Italy beckoned him and he signed with Inter Milan the following season. However, like his previous Italian sojourn, Sukur struggled to earn a place in Milan's first team. 

Frustrated, he went to Parma and begun to rediscover his form, helping the Italian side avoid relegation. 

Now, at the age of 30, Sukur has reached the apex of his international career with his best chance to win a World Cup medal. If Turkey are to upset the mighty Brazilians in the semifinals on Wednesday, it'll be up to Sukur to provide the firepower.



Caps: 78
Int. goals: 35


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Ali Burak Said:::He is one of the most important players for us.         ..