Turkey derail Italy hopes
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Article summary
Italy 1-3 Turkey A sensational first-half performance enables Turkey to notch three Group 3 points.
Article body
Aksu double
The game was effectively over as a contest at half-time, with Turkey leading 3-1. Aksu struck in the 20th and 25th minutes, before Mulayim Erdemmade added a third two minutes before the break.
No rally
Although Italy pulled a goal back within 60 seconds, the expected second-half rally failed to materialise and it was Tekin Onay Günduz's side who took the three points.
Friday matches
As for Antonio Rocca and his young Italian charges, they were left with plenty of food for thought ahead of Friday's engagement with Serbia and Montenegro, who today beat hosts Poland 4-3.
Sunday showdown
Turkey face the Poles on Friday before a potential winner-takes-all showdown with the Serbo-Montenegrins on Sunday. Only the top country in the group will qualify for this summer's eight-team final tournament in France.
