Spaniards down Turks by one goal
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Reuters
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 30, 2009 00:00
MADRID - Defender Gerard Pique scored his first goal for Spain to give the European champions a comfortable 1-0 win over Turkey in their World Cup qualifying Group Five match on Saturday.
The 22-year-old, playing only his second match for the national side, turned the ball in from close range on the hour after Xavi's floated free kick from the right had ricocheted back across goal off Sergio Ramos.
The win cemented Spain's lead at the top of the group with a maximum 15 points from five matches ahead of Bosnia on nine and Turkey on eight.
The Turks, who reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008, did well to cramp the Spanish midfield in a tight first half and threatened Iker Casillas's goal on several occasions. A low shot from captain Nihat Kahveci flashed just wide of the post in the sixth minute and Nihat's strike partner Semih Senturk also went close shortly after. The two teams meet again on Wednesday in Istanbul and another victory for Spain would virtually assure their place in South Africa next year. Turkey coach Fatih Terim said the return match will be different.
The win cemented Spain's lead at the top of the group with a maximum 15 points from five matches ahead of Bosnia on nine and Turkey on eight.
The Turks, who reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008, did well to cramp the Spanish midfield in a tight first half and threatened Iker Casillas's goal on several occasions. A low shot from captain Nihat Kahveci flashed just wide of the post in the sixth minute and Nihat's strike partner Semih Senturk also went close shortly after. The two teams meet again on Wednesday in Istanbul and another victory for Spain would virtually assure their place in South Africa next year. Turkey coach Fatih Terim said the return match will be different.