Mehmet sparks Turkish joy
Friday, September 2, 2005
Article summary
Turkey 3-2 Denmark The Danes fought back from 2-0 down but were powerless to prevent Mehmet Çakir heading an added-time winner.
Article body
Turkey ended Denmark's unbeaten status in Group 2 by recording a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Ali Sami Yen stadium.
Mehmet winner
Denmark looked to have salvaged a point after fighting back from two goals down, only for Mehmet Çakir to spark local joy with a winner in added time. Maximum points moved Turkey up to third with 17 points, three points fewer than Ukraine who they meet in Kiev on Tuesday. The Danes still look well placed to advance with a three-point advantage and a game in hand.
Superb opener
Malatyaspor midfielder Bilal Kisa put Turkey in front on 35 minutes with a superb left-footed effort from an acute angle, before Fenerbahçe SK striker Semih Sentürk doubled the lead as half-time approached. Jacob Sørensen pulled one back to give Denmark hope on 59 minutes and ten minutes later Kasper Lorentzen restored parity.
Critical goal
However, any hopes Denmark harboured of preserving their unbeaten run were vanquished when Mehmet scored with a header in the third minute of added time - a goal which could prove critical in this tight section.