Netherlands delight as Turkey fall

The Netherlands are one point away from booking a UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-final berth for the second year running after a hard-fought victory eliminated Turkey.

World Cup berth
Luc Castaignos and Ruben Ligeon scored either side of half-time and although Muhammet Demir pulled one back, the best Turkey can now hope for in Group B is third place and a FIFA U-17 World Cup slot if they beat England on Tuesday. The Netherlands will definitely compete in Nigeria this autumn and can only miss out on the semi-finals here if they lose to hosts Germany and England beat Turkey by enough to overhaul their goal difference deficit of five.

Timely goal
Muhammet's selection to start after injury was one of five changes for Turkey, who had Gökhan Töre suspended. Two of the new Turkish introductions did combine for a dangerous moment just past the half-hour, Engin Bekdemir's cross met with the head of Sezer Özmen but Patrick ter Mate saved. At the other end an effort from diminutive Netherlands winger Nygel Velder somehow failed to creep in, though on the stroke of half-time Jerry van Ewijk's clever ball was turned in by Castaignos.

Lead doubled
Engin came close with a shot early in the second half, while Shabir Isoufi forced a save from Deniz Mehmet and substitute Bob Schepers also made the Turkey goalkeeper work. However, Deniz Mehmet could do nothing to prevent a superb dipping shot from Ligeon doubling the lead.

Arrears reduced
Ten minutes later Turkey were back in the game. Hasan Ahmet Sari made Ter Mate pull off a diving stop but a few seconds later his cross fell to Muhammet, who calmly beat the Netherlands No1. Castaignos seemed to have made it 3-1 only for Okan Alkan to leap in to clear off the line. Then after a Castaignos header hit the post, Isoufi turned in the rebound but was ruled offside. However, the Netherlands' lead was sufficient.