Turkey recorded their second win against Nigeria (UEFA)Turkey thankful for early goals
Sunday, 6 February 2005
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PrintTwo goals in the first three minutes, from Serdar Kurtulus and Ergin Keles, helped UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup hosts Turkey to an emphatic 4-0 victory against Nigeria at the City stadium in Soke in the second round of matches in the 2005 competition.
Emphatic victory
Defender Serdar Kurtulus headed Metin Tekin's team in front inside the first minute, with Ergin adding a second two minutes later to leave Nigeria's hopes in tatters. Mülayim Erdem made it three from the penalty spot six minutes into the second period, before Oguz Sabankay completed the scoring with a fourth goal 14 minutes from time.
Unchanged lineup
Nigeria coach Godwin Izilein kept faith with the side that lost 1-0 to Portugal on Friday, while his Turkish counterpart Tekin, having seen his side defeat Egypt 3-2 first time out, introduced Güven Güneri up front, with midfield player Mehmet Güven making way.
Remarkable start
Turkey began the match at frenetic pace, with Mülayim forcing goalkeeper Okemute Odah to turn his effort over the crossbar straight from the kick-off. Nigerian respite was brief, however, as from the resulting corner Nuri Sahin picked out Serdar Kurtulus, who headed in. Two minutes later, it became even worse for Nigeria, with Nuri again the instigator, driving from midfield before finding Ergin, who was left free in the penalty area and gave Odah no chance with a firm strike.
Double save
Nigeria understandably took some time to recover from such a devastating start, but might have halved the deficit in the 20th minute when Bello Musa Kofarmata worked a shooting chance. However, his effort was saved by Volkan Babacan, and Samuel Ifeanyi Chukwudi's follow-up attempt was also kept out by the Turkish goalkeeper.
Penalty third
That served to energise the African side, who enjoyed their best passage of play in the final ten minutes of the half, but failed to muster a substantial threat on Volkan's goal despite a number of clever passing moves. Any lingering hopes of a Nigerian comeback were dashed within six minutes of the restart, however, when Ergin was fouled inside the penalty area. Erdem took the resulting spot-kick and, although Odah went the right way, his kick found the corner of the net.
Incisive move
Güven might have added a third 20 minutes from time, producing a series of step-overs as he raced towards goal, but his subsequent shot flew fractionally over the crossbar. Six minutes later it was four, however, with Güven again at the heart of the move, crossing for captain Arda Turan to unselfishly move the ball on to Oguz Sabankay, who was perfectly placed inside the area to roll his shot beyond Odah.
Tuesday games
Turkey's next opponents, at the Ödemis stadium on Tuesday, are Sierra Leone, who narrowly lost 2-1 to European Under-17 champions France today. Nigeria, meanwhile, face the French next, in Aydin.
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