Switzerland 1-2 Turkey
A late goal from Arda Turan saw co hosts Switzerland's Euro 2008 dreams come to an abrupt halt in their second Group A game in Basel's St.Jakob Park. It was a disappointing result for Kobi Kuhn's side, who progressed to the knockout stages of the 2006 World Cup before losing on penalties to Ukraine. They now join Belgium as the only hosts to have been knocked out at the group stages of the tournament.
Kobi Kuhn replaced the ineffective Marco Streller and the injured Alexander Frei with Eren Derdiyok and Hakan Yakin upfront. With Portugal having beaten the Czech Republic 3-1 earlier in the today, Kuhn and his boys knew that they needed to avoid losing at all costs. Turkey were missing several key players too- captain Belozoglu Emre and defender Gokhan Zan. Early into the game, the rain gods decided to wreak havoc, and it got so bad that people wondered whether they would call the game off. Volkan Demirel was in excellent form in the first half, handling treacherous looking shots from Yakin, Inler and Barnetta admirably. With the rain pouring way, even the simplest of balls could have resulted in a goal, but Volkan was up to the task.
The home side took the lead in the 32nd minute, when Eren Derdiyok's ball from the right hand side stopped in a puddle. Hakan Yakin tapped it in, for one of the simplest goals of the tournament. However the veteran was guilty of squandering an absolute sitter two minutes later, when he volleyed wide Valon Behrami's cross from three yards out. As luck would have it, the Swiss would come to regret that miss later.
Turkey brought on Semih Senturk for Karadeniz at half time, and the substitute made an impact in the 57th minute, heading home Nihat's cross. Benaglio got both his hands to the ball, but could do nothing to stop it going in.
Demirel was once again forced into action late into the second half, having to save first from Johan Vonlanthen and then Hakan Yakin. Turkey then pressed for a winner, and it was Arda Turan who broke Switzerland hearts with a 20 yard shot in injury time. It took a deflection off Behrami and went into the Swiss net, leaving Kuhn, the eleven Swiss players on the field, and the entire crowd stunned.
Switzerland starting XI: Benaglio, Senderos, Lichtsteiner, Muller, Magnin, Behrami, Inler, Gelson (Cabanas), Barnetta (Vonlanthen ), Yakin (Gygax), Derdiyok.
Turkey starting XI: Demirel, Cetin, Altintop, Asik, Balta, Karadeniz (Senturk ), Aurelio, Metin (Topal ), Turan, Nihat (Kazim Kazim), Sanli.
Tags:
Arda Turan,
Euro 2008,
Kobi Kuhn,
Hakan Yakin,
Switzerland,
Turkey,
Semih Senturk
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