Sunday will be a special occasion for Hatayspor, as the team prepares to take to the field for the first time since the early stages of February, when they recorded a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa.
The devastating earthquake that hit Turkey lead to Hatayspor withdrawing from the Super Lig, with the team ultimately finishing bottom of the table on 23 points from 26 matches.
Head coach Volkan Demirel told reporters ahead of the match: “It will give us strength to see everyone who loves and supports Hatay with us on this comeback day.”
The club’s forward Christian Atsu and sporting director Taner Savut lost their lives in the earthquakes, and the team will now be bidding to move forward from a hugely difficult period in their history.
Hull, as mentioned, were in pre-season action on Wednesday, recording a 4-3 victory over Turkish champions Galatasaray despite being three goals behind in the friendly.
Benjamin Tetteh made it 3-1 just before the interval, and Cyrus Christie, Regan Slater and Oscar Estupinan then scored in the final stages to secure a dramatic win for the Championship outfit.
Liam Rosenior’s side have another four confirmed friendlies in the diary after this one against Grimsby Town, Barnsley, Bradford City and Scunthorpe United before beginning their league campaign away to Norwich City on August 5.
Hull finished 15th in the Championship last season, and they are currently preparing for a third straight campaign in the second tier of English football.
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The Tigers have made two new signings during the summer window, with Xavier Simons arriving on a permanent basis from Chelsea, while Liam Delap has joined on loan from Manchester City, with the 20-year-old making his first outing for the club against Galatasaray.
Hatayspor have made a number of signings over the summer, with Carlos Strandberg and Giorgi Aburjania among those expected to be involved in the pre-season friendly.
Strandberg could feature alongside Bertug Yildirim in the final third of the field, with the latter back at the club after a loan spell at Antalyaspor.
Head coach Demirel will make full use of his squad in this match, and a number of young players are also expected to be given opportunities to impress on Sunday.
