Friday , March 29 2024

Turkey cling onto faint last-16 hopes with Czech Republic win

Emre Mor starred as Turkey earned a crucial win over the Czech Republic to hold a faint chance of qualifying for the last 16.

Goals in either half from Burak Yilmaz and Ozan Tufan secured the win after a tense, end-to-end clash with Mor proving a constant threat for a revitalised Turkey on his first international start.

If Hungary beat Portugal and the Republic of Ireland and Sweden are unable to win their matches against Italy and Belgium, Turkey will have secured the most unlikely of second round spots.

They looked dead and buried after demoralising defeats to Croatia and Spain but now have a glimmer of hope in their bid to prolong their summer in France.

In distinct contrast to many of the other games so far this week, this clash in Lens really felt like a major tournament match.

Both coaches made a number changes with powerful striker Tomas Necid, who scored the levelling penalty against Croatia, one of four players drafted into the Czech Republic side.

Fatih Terim made three alterations for Turkey with Danish-born teenager Mor, a recent Borussia Dortmund signing, thrown in at the deep end.

Playing all in red, the Czech Republic picked up from where they left off in the 2-2 draw with Croatia and were on the front foot from the start as Turkey looked vulnerable and short of confidence.

But after a shaky opening, Turkey hit the front on 10 minutes as Arda Turan played Mor away down the right flank and the 18-year-old showed pace and then vision to clip a cross into the near post for Yilmaz to finish confidently first time past Petr Cech.

Czech centre-back Tomas Sivok had lost Yilmaz for the goal but he very nearly atoned minutes later as his header bounced back off the foot of the post from Borek Dockal’s corner from the right.

And the Czech Republic’s positive response continued when Pavel Kaderabek was foiled by Volkan Babacan as he tried to catch the keeper at his near post before the right-back was inches from connecting with Necid’s flick with the goal at his mercy.

While Turkey captain Arda Turan was jeered throughout the second-half of the 3-0 defeat to Spain, the Barcelona man went some way to building bridges with the support thanks to a much improved performance.

The second half was as tense as the first with the Czech Republic pressing, desperate for the equaliser, and Turkey looking shaky at the back but very dangerous on the counter.

Darida and Necid both saw good, low efforts saved before Turkey showed them how it was done again on 65 minutes.

This time, the Czechs couldn’t clear a set-piece and Tufan blasted an effort into the roof of the net from a tight angle for his second international goal.

The Czech Republic had recovered from a 2-0 deficit against Croatia in their second game but they had neither the energy nor the quality to repeat the trick as rejuvenated Turkey secured their first points of the competition.

Check Also

Bawumia’s manifesto: Asamoah Gyan chairs youth and sports sub-committee

Ghanaian sports legend Asamoah Gyan has been named as part of a team tasked to …