Group 7: Torrid finale for Turkey

Complicated conclusion
Turkey lead the group by four points after following up a 1-0 win in Slovakia with a 3-0 home victory over F.Y.R. Macedonia on Tuesday, but Portugal and England are in striking distance and, more importantly, both have a game in hand.

Turkish challenge
Turkey's lead could be eroded to one point when they travel to Portugal for their next qualifier on 5 September, and with England to come in their final qualifier, Rasit Çetiner's side know that they need to have their wits about them to reach the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final play-offs.

'Genuine professionals'
However, following those back-to-back wins, Çetiner is full of confidence. "My players showed they are talented and genuine professionals," he said. "I thank them very much. The Portugal and England matches are ahead of us. We want to get good results from those matches and continue on our way."

Daunting task
Portugal have a daunting task ahead of them too, with a trip to England following four days after their home game against Turkey and then a final home game against Slovakia on 10 October. A 4-1 win against F.Y.R. Macedonia on Friday kept the goals flowing, although coach José Romão expected more of a test.

'We are on our own'
"The game [against F.Y.R. Macedonia] was easier than we expected so we made less effort than we had planned," he said. "Now we are on our own, and I can start thinking about the double round of September-matches against Turkey and England that will decide our destiny."

Weary performance
F.Y.R. Macedonia are the next opponents for England on 5 September before they face Portugal and Turkey, but coach David Platt will be hoping for better after a weary 2-0 win against Slovakia on Tuesday. However, Slovakia could do Platt's side a favour as they travel to Portugal for their final game, following a game against the Macedonians on 9 September.

Komanický satisfied
Coach Mikuláš Komanický was not too upset by his side's displays despite losing against Turkey and England. He rated Turkey as the finest side in the group, but added that his side's best qualifying display may have been against England at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

'Best performance'
"We need not be ashamed of this performance," he said. "Compared with the game in Trnava [which England won 4-0) we played much better in Sunderland. In fact I dare to say it was the team's best performance since I have been in charge."