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Turkey impress in Ireland victory

International friendly round-up (21-25 May): Turkey triumphed 2-1 against the Republic of Ireland, while earlier in the week there were wins for Slovakia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Selçuk İnan of Turkey vies with Ireland's Wes Hoolahan
Selçuk İnan of Turkey vies with Ireland's Wes Hoolahan ©Sportsfile

25/05: Republic of Ireland 1-2 Turkey
Fatih Terim's Turkey side enjoyed their visit to Dublin as they came away with a 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland. Ahmet İlhan Özek headed the visitors in front on 17 minutes from a cross by Gökhan Gönül and that lead was doubled with a quarter of an hour to go when substitute Tarık Çamdal beat Ireland's debutant goalkeeper Rob Elliot, finishing off a fine team move. A well-struck goal from Jonathan Walters moments later, set up by Wes Hoolahan, gave Ireland some late hope, but an impressive Turkey side held on as Martin O'Neill's charges suffered a second successive defeat.

24/05: Saudi Arabia 0-4 Moldova
Following a lively start by both teams, Moldova took an eighth-minute lead in the Spanish city of Jerez de la Frontera when defender Igor Armaş headed in a corner. After Saudi Arabia had spurned a couple of presentable opportunities, the eastern European side doubled their advantage through Igor Picuşciac's penalty. Ion Caras's men made the scoreline more emphatic with goals from Serghei Alexeev and FC Rostov's Alexandru Gaţcan. Moldova return to action on Tuesday when they play Canada in Amstetten, Austria.

23/05: Slovakia 2-0 Montenegro
Slovakia, without key players Martin Škrtel and Marek Hamšík, scored at the end of both halves to record their second friendly victory of the year. Though visiting goalkeeper Vukašin Polekšić thwarted Vladimír Weiss's penalty, the Slovakia forward had plenty of time to convert the rebound. Montenegro pressed for an equaliser, but the hosts sealed the win when Erik Jendrišek converted from close range after an unselfish pass from fellow substitute Róbert Mak. Slovakia take on Russia on Monday.

23/05: Bulgaria 1-1 Canada
The first meeting of the nations ended all square in the Austrian town of Ritzing. Andrey Galabinov opened the scoring for Bulgaria after 19 minutes when he finished a good move put together with captain Ivelin Popov. Their lead was short-lived, though, as Canada equalised through Atiba Hutchinson's penalty, awarded after Svetoslav Dyakov had brought down Tosaint Ricketts.

22/05: Ukraine 2-1 Niger
Niger's first game against opposition from outside of Africa ended with defeat in Kyiv. Debutant Ivan Ordets headed the hosts in front from Andriy Yarmolenko's 20th-minute corner, but, despite dominating the game, Ukraine conceded from a set piece early in the second half, Oumarou Balé escaping the attention of Ordets to beat Andriy Pyatov from close range. Ukraine's winner came with ten minutes to go as another debutant – substitute Serhiy Bolbat – slipped the ball through for Taras Stepanenko to beat Daouda for a second time.

22/05: Hungary 2-2 Denmark
Lasse Schöne's powerful shot from a tight angle took the wind out of the home side's sails just three minutes after Hungary had taken the lead for the second time. The Magyars went in at the interval a goal to the good after Balázs Dzsudzsák made the breakthrough with a fine turn and handsome finish from the edge of the box. Christian Eriksen replied with a powerful low shot on 56 minutes, but Roland Varga's brave diving header from Vladimir Koman's cross restored Hungary's lead with 20 minutes to go – only for Schöne to strike back in quick time.

21/05: Finland 2-2 Czech Republic
Three goals in as many first-half minutes set the tone for an entertaining encounter in Helsinki. Teemu Pukki broke the deadlock from an acute angle on 18 minutes, and though Matěj Vydra made it 1-1 almost immediately, parity lasted a matter of seconds as Pukki struck again for the hosts. The Czech Republic pegged Finland back again on 36 minutes, through Josef Hušbauer, and this time they made it stick. Following a breathless opening period, the tempo dropped after the interval as both coaches tried out fringe players.

21/05: Liechtenstein 1-5 Belarus
Without two of their most decorated players – captain Mario Frick and vice-captain Martin Stocklasa – the home team succumbed to a comprehensive defeat in Vaduz. Leading 3-0 at the break, a Belarus side shorn of Aleksandr Hleb rubber-stamped their advantage thanks to a quickfire double from 19-year-old forward Pavel Savitskiy. The night ended on a positive note for Rene Pauritsch's charges, though, defender Franz Burgmeier keeping his cool from the spot on 80 minutes.

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