|
Hasan Sas - Turkiye
Position: Forward
Birthdate: Aug. 1, 1976
Club: Galatasaray
(Turkish League)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instantly recognizable on the field by his shining, bald skull, Turkish winger Hasan Sas has turned a lot of heads at this year's World Cup.
Famous for his scurrying, charging runs down the left wing, Sas is a workmanlike player who has a knack for beating defenders with well-timed, diagonal runs and scoring game-breaking goals.
He acts as a perfect companion to Hakan Sükür by being able to drop back in the middle of the field and act as a provider and distribute the ball. In a sign of just how versatile he really is, Sas has even managed to outscore Sükür at the World Cup, netting two goals for his country.
His impressive form at this year's tournament has not gone unnoticed, as Italian giants Juventus lead the queue of top European clubs beating down the door of Turkish team Galatasaray in order to sign the winger for the upcoming season.
Born August 1, 1976, Sas began his soccer career with Ankaragücü in 1995 and immediately lit up the Turkish league with his goal-scoring prowess. After three seasons there, Istanbul giants Galatasaray - impressed with his goal-poaching record - signed him to a contract.
On April 22, 1998 he earned his first cap for the Turkish national team against Russia, and has been an automatic selection ever since.
Sas played an integral role in helping Galatasaray win the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup final over Arsenal. Galatasaray's victory was a historic achievement, as they became the first Turkish club to win a major European club competition.
He received his first taste of Champions League soccer the following season, scoring goals against Spain's Real Madrid and Italy's AC Milan. Both Milan and French club Nantes inquired about procuring his services, but a transfer deal never came to fruition.
Having scored against Brazil in Turkey's opening game of the tournament... the striker 's time at Galatasaray seems to be nearing its inevitable conclusion, as the big money of Western Europe...
Caps: 19
Int. goals: 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
