Turkey labour to Andorra victory
Friday, March 22, 2013
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Andorra 0-2 Turkey
Galatasaray AŞ pair Selçuk İnan and Burak Yılmaz were on target as Abdullah Avcı's visitors ended a run of four games without a win.
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Turkey breathed life into their faltering FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign but were made to work hard for a 2-0 victory away to Andorra.
Abdullah Avcı's side initially struggled to find a way through their resilient hosts but Selçuk İnan's 30th-minute free-kick was unstoppable, finding the top-right corner from 25 metres. Galatasaray AŞ club-mate Burak Yılmaz doubled the lead in first half added time, rifling in from an acute angle; from then on it was damage limitation for the hosts.
It earned a welcome triumph for a Turkey side who had been four games without a win, friendlies included. They have endured a disappointing start to Group D too, picking up just three points from their opening four games, but Selçuk and Burak have revived hope. The visitors could not add to their lead with Andorra content to soak up the pressure, ending the game without a shot on target, point-less in the section, but with pride intact.