Nihat Kahveci slams coach Montella after Turkey's World Cup qualifier loss

Former Turkish national football player Nihat Kahveci delivered a scathing critique of national team coach Vincenzo Montella following the team's disappointing 2-0 defeat against Australia in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Kahveci expressed profound disappointment and frustration after the match, which he had entered with high hopes.

“

Honestly, it's going to be a difficult broadcast, friends. We were very hopeful, very happy, very proud. Right now, I am personally very sad; I am experiencing great disappointment.

"Honestly, it's going to be a difficult broadcast, friends. We were very hopeful, very happy, very proud. Right now, I am personally very sad; I am experiencing great disappointment," Kahveci stated. He elaborated that key players failed to perform as expected, lacking the necessary physical intensity and failing to execute shots effectively. The defense also struggled to contain the Australian forwards, leading Kahveci to conclude that the entire team, including goalkeeper Uğurcan, did not fulfill their duties.

Kahveci described the loss as a "bad defeat," emphasizing that Australia effectively translated their game plan into a sustained performance, playing with physical superiority. In contrast, the Turkish team failed to replicate even a fraction of their expected performance. "We lost badly, we lost by conceding bad goals," he added.

“

Our players who were supposed to score did not play as required. Our players with the athleticism we expected did not perform. Players we thought would shoot well did not take those shots. All were blocked by the opponent's defense, went out of bounds, or hit the post. Our defensive players who were supposed to contain the opponent's forwards could not do their job. I am disappointed because we watched a national team where even our goalkeeper Uğurcan, who makes critical saves, did not do his job.

A significant point of contention for Kahveci was Montella's decision to make substitutions in the 81st minute, with the score already 2-0. "Minute 81, the score is 2-0. İsmail and Zeki come off, Mert and Salih go in. That moment, for me, is when the coach failed the class. We looked at each other in surprise. I asked, 'What is happening?' I didn't expect this much. Those substitutions were a disappointment for me. Our coach was like the footballers on the field," Kahveci asserted, suggesting a lack of tactical acumen from the coach.

“

We lost badly, we lost by conceding bad goals.

Overall, Kahveci felt the team did not meet even a fraction of his expectations. "The team as a whole did not meet my expectations by an ounce. And by the way, there weren't many who did the right thing," he concluded, reflecting a widespread sentiment of underperformance.

“

Minute 81, the score is 2-0. İsmail and Zeki come off, Mert and Salih go in. That moment, for me, is when the coach failed the class. We looked at each other in surprise. I asked, 'What is happening?' I didn't expect this much. Those substitutions were a disappointment for me. Our coach was like the footballers on the field.