Everything is going like clockwork for Hakan Calhanoglu when he puts on a Turkey shirt. Four weeks ago the Werkself midfielder scored the goal for Turkey in a 1-1 draw in the World Cup qualifier away to Croatia. And another Calhanoglu goal brought a point for Turkey on Thursday night in a 2-2 draw against Ukraine. With his team 2-0 down Hakan held his nerve when he converted a penalty with eight minutes to play to level at 2-2 to secure an important point in the race for a European qualifying slot for the 2018 World Cup. Calhanoglu also provided the assist for the first goal from Ozan Tufan with an accurate corner. Ömer Toprak returned to the starting line-up for his national side for the first time in two years.
Fortunately and Charles Aránguiz, who played the full 90 minutes, the World Cup qualifier in Ecuador ended with a bitter disappointment. The Copa America winner's lost 3-0. The hosts were 2-0 up at half-time and the third came just after the restart. Brazil coasted to a 5-0 win against Bolivia. Wendell, who was in the Seleção squad for the first time, did not make his debut for the record World Cup winners. The South American World Cup qualifying group sees Brazil in second place with 18 points from nine games, one point behind leaders Uruguay, and Chile are seventh with just 11 points.
Austria had to settle for a 2-2 draw in the home game against Wales but they twice came back from behind with Marco Arnautovic scoring both goals. Julian Baumgartlinger was the Austria captain in his 50th international. Aleksandar Dragovic was also in the starting eleven. And the Werkself trio for Austria was complete after 15 minutes when goalkeeper Ramazan Özcan replace the injured keeper Robert Almer.
Ran out easy winners with a 6-0 victory in Kosovo. Tin Jedvaj did not play. Australia also drew 2-2 in Saudi Arabia with Robbie Kruse playing the full 90 minutes.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Austria or Kosovo? Claudia Wenger or Lumbardha Misini? Only one of these two Bayer 04 women will see her dream of competing at the World Cup in Brazil (24 June to 25 July 2027) live on beyond the next two weeks. From a Leverkusen perspective, the two direct clashes between the Werkself players as they battle for a place in the second play-off round stand out during the upcoming international break. For several other players, the chance of a World Cup place is also at stake. Bayer04.de provides an overview of the women’s international call-ups.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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