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Parlak punctures Czech resolve

Czech Republic 1-1 Turkey
The Czech Republic relinquished top spot in Group 2 after Turkey hit back to claim a point.

The Czech Republic relinquished top spot in Group 2 after drawing 1-1 with Turkey in Jablonec. The meeting of the section's top two sides promised much and it was Turkey who looked the more likely winners, but a string of missed chances, including a penalty, meant the home side escaped with a point.

Střeštík strikes
Turkey had won all three of their previous 2009 UEFA European Under-21 qualifiers and they almost took the lead on three minutes when Nuri Şahin headed narrowly wide. It was the Czech Republic, however, who went ahead when Marek Střeštík caught Turkey goalkeeper Onur Recep Kivrak out with a 17th-minute free-kick to add to the goal he scored in the 3-0 defeat of Armenia a month ago.

Parlak levels
Turkey should have drawn level moments before half-time when František Rajtoral brought Zafer Yelen down in the area, but Serder Özkan's shot was parried by goalkeeper Milan Švenger. Turkey kept up the pressure after the break, and finally drew level on 73 minutes when an unmarked Ilhan Parlak headed in Özkan's corner.

Exciting group
The Czech Republic drop down to second with the draw, a point behind Ukraine, who have a played a game more. In an exciting section Turkey are two points adrift of the leaders but with two games in hand. Ukraine are at home to the Czech Republic on Wednesday while Turkey are next in action against Liechtenstein in March.