Turkey earned a third straight win thanks to Ergin's goal (UEFA)Ergin strike sinks Sierra Leone
Tuesday, 8 February 2005
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PrintBy Türker Tozar at Ödemis stadium
Turkey left it late to secure a third straight win in the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup, substitute Ergin Keles striking to end Sierra Leone's hopes with 13 minutes remaining in Ödemis.
Headed winner
The Trabzonspor striker, who was introduced in the 63rd minute, struck the only goal of the game 14 minutes later, meeting a right-wing cross Güven Güneri with a powerful header that finally beat Sierra Leone goalkeeper Sylvanus Mooris and nestled in the corner of the net. Turkey will therefore have the opportunity to record a fourth win in the competition in Kusadasi on Friday when they face Cameroon, while Sierra Leone's final opponents are Portugal in Aydin.
Teams tweaked
Turkey coach Metin Tekin opted to use Besiktas JK striker Adem Büyük up front in place of Ergin, who had scored in each of his side's first two games. Serdar Özkan also came into the starting lineup, with Arda Turan making way, while Ibrahim Koroma returned to the Sierra Leonean defence after suspension although Mooris kept his place in goal despite the return of Christian Caulker following his one-match ban.
Mooris dancing
Turkey threatened first in the 20th minute as Adem Büyük met Nuri Sahin's right-wing free-kick with a firm header, but Mooris dived full length to push the ball away. For Sierra Leone, Mustapha Bangura, Mohamed Bangura, Andrew Allieu and Abu Tommy all looked dangerous but, despite creating more opportunities than their European opposition, the African side lacked a cutting edge up front.
Erdem denied
Midfield player Mülayim Erdem twice almost broke the deadlock nine minutes after half-time, but first narrowly failed to connect with Yusuf Büküsoglu's ball into the penalty area from the left. Galatasaray's Erdem came even closer to his third goal of the competition minutes later, but this time his powerful long-range effort struck the crossbar.
Spectacular stop
Sierra Leone saw more of the ball than Turkey in the second half but again the lack of a potent striking threat cost them dearly. Having fallen behind, Abu Sankoh's side came closest to scoring in added time, but Tommy's shot following a goalmouth scramble produced a brilliant reflex save from Volkan Babacan, whose stunning stop ensured his side's victory by the narrowest of margins.
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