Promising start but poor finish from Turkey

Playing its first game of the year and its last before crucial matches against Spain, Turkey had to settle for a draw against Ivory Coast on Wednesday night.
The game, Turkey’s last chance to prepare for next month’s back-to-back fixtures against European champion Spain, started promisingly for Turkey but did not manage to finish in quite the same fashion.

Turkish striker Gökhan Ünal put the home side ahead in the 11th minute, firing in a powerful shot from the edge of the area into the top right-hand corner of the goal.

With the best of the goal chances and its ability to restrict the African side, Turkey was close to its best in the first half. Trabzonspor’s Gökhan had the chance to double Turkey's lead in the 33rd minute but fired the ball over the bar.

However, coach Fatih Terim’s boys lost their pace in the second half, allowing Ivory Coast to dictate play. A fine performance by goalkeeper Volkan Demirel allowed Turkey to protect its lead till the last seconds of the game but Chelsea striker Didier Drogba had the final say.

Drogba marked his return to international action with a strike in injury-time to earn Ivory Coast a 1-1 draw.

Drogba, back in the team after more than a year’s absence, and his Ivory Coast teammates failed to create a significant threat in the early stages of the match.

The game meant another return for Turkey, as the game played at the Atatürk Stadium, marked the national team’s return to the Aegean coastal city of İzmir. Despite the torrential rain, some 40,000 fans packed into the stadium to welcomethe Euro 2008 semifinalists but were disappointed with a late strike in the end.
 
Speaking to state television TRT-1 after the game, Fatih Terim pointed to the different approaches in both halves of the game.

“Two teams dominated the play in each halves of the game. Maybe it was because of the wind.”

Terim said he was happy with the performance in the first half.

“The first 45 minutes showed what we wanted to see, there are no problems when we have the attacking mentality in our minds,” said the coach. “In the second half, we tried to practice how to defend but played too much to our goal and gave too much space to them.”

“The first half I saw the team I wanted,” he added. “I can’t get enough of seeing my team play like that.”

The last-minute hero Drogba was in celebration mode after the game, much to the surprise of TRT-1’s reporter.�

“It is always nice to score in the last minute and after missing some chances, it was a relief,” explained the world-class striker.

During his interview he was informed that Dutch coach Guus Hiddink had been appointed as caretaker manager for Chelsea, in place of the recently dismissed Scolari. Drogba appeared jubilant when he heard the news for the first time while he was live on camera.

“Really? Is it signed,” he asked through a translator. When it was confirmed, he praised Hiddink saying that he was a really good coach, adding that Chelsea would start to win games immediately with the Dutchman at the helm.

Turkey is second in their World Cup qualifying Group Five with eight points, four behind leader and European champion Spain. Turkey will play its next qualifiers away against Spain on March 28 and on home ground on April 1.

Spain ruins Becks' party
Wednesday was another great night for the Spanish side, beating England 2-0. Spain spoiled David Beckham's celebrations after he equalled England's appearance record for an outfield player.�

Beckham came on as a halftime substitute in Seville for his 108th international but David Villa and Fernando Llorente scored to hand England its first loss in almost a year. The end of England's unbeaten run shows it still has plenty of work to do after missing last year's European Championship.�

Wins over Croatia and Germany meant England was confident its depleted squad could compete with Spain, but the home side kept possession well throughout and went ahead in the 36th when Villa collected the ball on the edge of the area, twisted through the defense and scored with a low shot.

Beckham came on as one of five halftime replacements for England but it was a Spainish substitute Llorente who made the biggest impact, heading in Xavi Hernandez's cross.

"They always keep the ball well. They're a nation of players that pass the ball around well," said Beckham, who played in Spain for Real Madrid. "They got two good goals."

Beckham said the result affected his enjoyment in equaling Bobby Moore's appearance record. Only goalkeeper Peter Shilton, with 125 appearances, has played more games for England.

"I've always said I'd be honored to be up there with the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore, but the most important thing is the game," Beckham said.