Turkey find form in Frankfurt

Turkey got their bid to reach UEFA EURO 2008™ off to a solid start as goals at either end of the second half from substitute Nihat Kahveci and Tümer Metin secured three points against a determined Malta side.

Frankfurt venue
The match was played behind closed doors in the German city of Frankfurt as punishment for Turkey's role in the disturbances that followed their 2006 FIFA World Cup play-off defeat by Switzerland, but Fatih Terim's team – who had sat out Saturday's first round of Group C games - nevertheless started positively at the Commerzbank Arena. Midfielder Ergün Penbe had the first glimpse of goal, shooting over from near the penalty spot, before Hamit Altıntop and Metin had efforts blocked.

Haber excels
Despite the Turkish pressure, Malta's defence did a good job of protecting goalkeeper Justin Haber, Brian Said providing a perfect example in diverting Metin's free-kick from the edge of the box. Yıldıray Baştürk then fired another good opportunity too high, and when Haber finally made his first save in the 19th minute it was worth the wait. The keeper brilliantly held on to Altıntop's well-struck free-kick, before keeping out a Baştürk shot.

Nihat impact
The introduction of Nihat at the break provided the spark the Turkey attack had been missing, and the Villarreal CF striker broke the deadlock within eleven minutes by turning in Hakan Şükür's cross. Turkey secured the points with 13 minutes left, Metin drilling a right-footed effort into the roof of the net to give Haber no chance. Turkey next travel to Hungary on 7 October with Malta, still searching for their first points after two matches, at home to the same opponents four days later.