Turkey get better of Armenia in Yerevan

Strikes from Tuncay Şanlı and Semih Şentürk ensured UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-finalists Turkey started their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a win against Armenia in Yerevan.

Frustrating hour
The visitors were frustrated for an hour at the Hrazdan Stadium until Middlesbrough FC forward Tuncay broke the deadlock and Semih, scorer of crucial late goals for Fenerbahçe SK last season and for his country in the summer, made the points safe with 13 minutes remaining.

Early chances
Both sides preferred an attacking approach early on, producing an entertaining opening to the Group 5 contest. Semih could have put Fatih Terim's team in front just two minutes in but home goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky was equal to the effort, before Hamlet Mkhitaryan responded by forcing Turkey's Volkan Demirel into a smart save.

Wasteful Erdinç
Mevlüt Erdinç was the most profligate of the Turkey players in the first half, firing a presentable opportunity wide on the half-hour before spurning another chance before the interval by failing to beat Berezovsky from close range. After the break, Terim introduced another forward in Kazım Kazım and his spark proved decisive.

Overdue goals
The 22-year-old supplied the assist on 61 minutes as Tuncay dispatched his finish into the roof of the net from three metres. Turkey looked more comfortable thereafter and it was no surprise when they doubled their advantage. Emre Belözoğlu found Mehmet Aurélio in the box from a free-kick in the 77th minute and the Brazilian-born midfielder teed up Semih to confirm the victory.