Saag strike sinks Turkey

Turkey's bid to reach the UEFA European Under-21 Championship was dented as the Group 2 aspirants slumped to a 1-0 loss in Estonia.

The visitors dominated territory and possession in Tallinn but they lacked penetration and failed to find a way past some resolute defending from Estonia, who almost surprised themselves when they went ahead through Kaimar Saag on 13 minutes. His goal allowed the hosts to sit back and attack on the counter, and they did so to leapfrog Turkey into second spot − albeit having contested two games more.

The match started with some profligate play from both teams as long balls were used to little effect at either end of the pitch. Saag then broke the deadlock with a rare moment of quality, racing into the area and finishing well inside the far post, and that prompted Turkey to step up a gear. They nonetheless failed to make any inroads, goalkeeper Stanislav Pedõk denying both Hüseyin Tok and Tevfik Köse close to half-time.

The Estonia No1 then thwarted substitute Ömer Şişmanoğlu a minute from time, after tall defensive duo Igor Morozov − who was dismissed in added time − and Aleksei Jahhimovitš had kept Turkey at bay for most of the second period. The victors now lie four points shy of section leaders Switzerland, who boast two games in hand.