The Story of the Most Important Match in Turkish Football History

He had pulled his socks up to his knees and was trying to suppress the excitement of the match by rubbing his hands together. On the one hand, he was listening to his teammates’ pre-match speeches, and on the other hand, he was constantly adjusting his jersey. It wasn’t easy, In the most important match of the country He would go to the goal. According to some in the match of the century…

Kenan Bey was the goalkeeper of Fenerbahçe, which was the champion in the Istanbul League, and even played that season. without conceding a single goal He managed to complete it. Afterwards, he said goodbye to Papazın Çayırı and went to Anatolia with his teammates. He was well educated and had a doctorate. He served as an officer on the Sakarya Front.

Here it is now It was in Konya Akşehir. Mustafa Kemal Pasha organized a match and with his current rank Colonel Kenan BeyHe was in the squad when two teams that could be called national teams were facing each other: He would guard the goal of one of the teams in the match between the Front Headquarters Football Team and the Mixed Corps match, it was unimportant which one it would be.

How difficult could it be to have three fortresses here, after defending every inch of the country for months? But Mr. Kenan was excited; not because of the match, what will happen during the match because…

28 July 1922 All commanders were also invited to that match to be played on that day.

Mustafa Kemal PashaHe started to work to attack the Turkish army, which had always been defensive until now. This bright-eyed man knew the enemy’s mind like the back of his hand.

Anatolia, From Greek and British informants It was not passing. The gathering of commanders had to remain unnoticed in order to hide information from these spies. That’s why this match was organized in Akşehir.

In the empty area behind Derviş Bey’s mansion The teams took to the field.

Players from both teams were fighting with all their might, just like they did for the country in the trenches; After all, the main thing in this match is The winner would be the homeland. Mustafa Kemal Pasha also started to hold his meetings with the commanders secretly.

It was not unusual for armies to organize such activities within themselves for morale purposes. On the other hand, not many matches were played right behind the front, and if the armies were going to do such a thing, it was during rest periods they would.

Because of the match, informants thought that the Turkish army would not engage in conflict for a while. The Greeks and the British, who were tired of war, take advantage of the opportunity They thought they could rest. Perhaps there would be no conflict until the spring of next year.

While the fight continues on the field Mustafa Kemal Negotiations were continuing.

He started discussing his plans with the commanders, while also He boosted the morale of the army. Otherwise, the situation of the army was not that bright, people who escaped from the front and financial difficulties were hitting the army behind the front.

Encounter 2-2 it ended. After the match, the players Mustafa Kemal Pasha and his comrades in arms gathered to eat with; One of the names there was, of course, Kenan Bey.

When Mustafa Kemal Pasha started talking about his plans at dinner, Kenan Bey felt an excitement he had never felt even during the match. Pasha’s goal was to attack, and the match It was an eyewash exercise.

They quickly shared their plans with the commanders and exchanged ideas on how the war would go.

Ataturk this day after many years in Nutuk While telling, “On the afternoon of July 28, 1922, army commanders and some corps commanders were summoned to Akşehir, claiming to see a football match. “On the night of 28/29 July, I discussed the attack with the commanders in general.” He would use his expressions.

While everyone was watching the match in Akşehir In Afyon The army continued its preparations with great secrecy. After the match, Mustafa Kemal Pasha went to Afyon secretly.

The Greek army was no longer expecting an attack. So much so that the Greek commanders attended a party on August 25 and had too much alcohol. On the ridges of Kocatepe On 26 August 1922At 05.30 in the morning, the order that went down in history came: “Armies, your first goal is the Mediterranean. Forward!”

Hiding in the shadow of a cannon, the attack will first begin with the shooting of the artillery and would result in independence. Our country won perhaps the most important match in our history.

Source: Speech

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