Feyenoord 4-4 (pen:5-3) NEC: These are difficult times for Orkun Kökçü. While a disaster is going on in the country he plays for, the Feyenoord midfielder has to turn the button on the field and perform. In an insane spectacle he succeeded against NEC.
“I actually don’t even know what to say,” Kökçü stammered to ESPN. “A very strange match. I actually didn’t even have the feeling that they came very often in our sixteen-meter area, but every time it was a hit. That’s something we need to pay attention to with images.”
The Feyenoord captain praised NEC goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst, who made no less than 23 saves. He praised, “He had a lot of balls. He has so many saves. After the penalty series I also indicated that he had a fantastic game.”
The earthquake in Turkey made the run-up to the game with NEC extra tough. He added, “It does something to you. We as Turks are just very close. If it’s not my family, it feels like family to me. Brothers and sisters. So that hits hard. I’ve now had two days to give it a place. From here you try to help by, for example, posting on social media that people can donate, or that they can look for people under the rubble. You try everything, but you also know that very little is in your own hands. That makes it even more frustrating.”
Christian Atsu’s agent claims his client is yet to be rescued
In related news, contrary to previous reports from Turkey, Christian Atsu has not yet been found after the earthquake. That says his agent Nana Sechere.
Atsu’s supervisor shared a short statement via Twitter. “Following the messages shared by the club yesterday, we are still seeking confirmation of where Christian is. As you can imagine, this is a terrible time for his family. We are doing everything we can to find Christian,” said Sechere.
The agent continues: “Official updates will follow as soon as there is more information. Please respect the family’s privacy and do not share unfounded messages. That will only hurt the search for Christian. Thanks for the prayers and support.”
A press officer for Hatayspor, the club where the 31-year-old Ghanaian is under contract, said on Tuesday that Atsu had been taken to hospital with injuries. The club doctor has visited the hospitals, but has not yet found the former Vitesse player.
