Hakan Ünsal
Ünsal in 2013
Personal information
Full name Hakan Ünsal
Date of birth (1973-05-14) 14 May 1973
Place of birth Sinop, Turkey
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Left wingback
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1994 Karabükspor 26 (2)
1994–2002 Galatasaray 166 (11)
2002 Blackburn Rovers 8 (0)
2002–2005 Galatasaray 53 (1)
2005–2006 Çaykur Rizespor 4 (0)
Total 257 (14)
International career
1994–1995 Turkey U-21 12 (1)
1996–2004 Turkey 33 (1)
Medal record
Representing  Turkey
Men's football
FIFA World Cup
Third place2002 Korea/Japan
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Hakan Ünsal (born 14 May 1973) is a Turkish former professional footballer who played as a left wingback. He achieved third place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Turkey national team.

Career

Hakan Ünsal is remembered by many for his rocket left foot and his pinpoint passing as well as his ambition. He played most of his career at Galatasaray after joining from Karabükspor in 1993–94. After being a part of the squad that won the UEFA Cup in 2000, Ünsal moved to Blackburn Rovers of the English Premiership in January 2002. Blackburn had hoped to sign him in time for their upcoming appearance in the 2002 League Cup Final, however a work permit delayed his debut and he missed them lifting the cup.[1] His return to Galatasaray was rapid as he was once again in Galatasaray colours for the 2002–03 season. After leaving Galatasaray following the 2004–05 season, he had a brief stint with Çaykur Rizespor before retiring from football.

He played for Turkey national team and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup where he collected his third place medal.

He is most famous for an incident during the World Cup when Brazil played Turkey. Rivaldo was about to take a corner and Ünsal kicked the ball at him as he was annoyed about the time Rivaldo was taking, delaying the game, as Brazil was winning 2–1. The ball hit Rivaldo on his legs but he collapsed dramatically holding his face and consequently Ünsal was sent off and Brazil went on to win the match.[2] Rivaldo was fined, but the sanctions were criticized by many as being too lenient.

Ünsal is also remembered for his high level of sportsmanship on the field.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Karabükspor 1993–94 262262
Galatasaray 1995–96 281281
1996–97 292292
1997-98 273273
1998–99 313313
1999–2000 16181161
2000–01 151142293
2001–02 8080
Total 154110022317614
Blackburn Rovers 2001–02 80000080
Galatasaray 2002–03 241241
2003–04 140140
2004–05 150150
Total 5310000531
Çaykur Rizespor 2005–06 4040
Career total 2451422326717

Honours

Galatasaray
Turkey

References

  1. ↑ "Cole struck by illness". BBC Sport. 22 February 2002. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "Rivaldo acting fail - World Cup 2002 Oscar winning performance". YouTube. Dunkmaster3333. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  3. ↑ Crouch, Terry (2002). The World Cup - The Complete History. Great Britain: Aurum Press Ltd. p. 548. ISBN 1845131495.
  4. ↑ "2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™". FIFA. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "Korea Republic 2 – 3 Turkey". FIFA. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
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