Turkey moved in to second place in World Cup Qualifying Group Five despite failing to find a way past Estonia on Wednesday.
The Turkish National Team had to settle for a one rather than three-point lead over third-placed Belgium after the hosts picked up their first point of the campaign.
And with two games with Euro 2008 winners Spain still to come, the Turks could live to rue their failure to pick up maximum points against one of the weakest teams in the group.
Turkey have stuttered since their surprise run to the European Championship semi-finals, needing to come from behind to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina and draw with Belgium in their last two qualifiers.
And they again failed to hit top form in Tallinn as they failed to break down a defence which had conceded 13 goals in their opening three group games.
Substitute Yusuf Simsek, who was introduced just after the hour mark, wasted Fatih Terim's side's best chance when he fired over when unmarked inside the area.
Dmitri Kruglov came closest for Estonia with an angled shot from the edge of the area which flew just wide of the post, but neither side could make the breakthrough.
Teams
Estonia: Londak, Kruglov, Piiroja, Barengrub, Sisov, Klavan,Vassiljev, Vunk (Puri 80), Dmitrijev,Voskoboinikov (Zeniov 63), Oper.
Subs Not Used: Kotenko, Lindpere, Rahn, Kink, Saag.
Booked: Dmitrijev.
Turkey: Demirel, Cetin, Sarioglu, Balta, Kas,Sahin (Erdinc 33), Akman (Simsek 62), Turan, Aurelio,Kazim-Richards (Boral 75), Altintop.
Subs Not Used: Kulbilge, Birinci, Balci, Yildiz.
Ref: Robert Malek (Poland).
The current state of the Turkish main footbal team how do you see them progressing through the year?
ReplyDeleteDo you think they will win any european titles this year?
Regards,
I think Turkey will have to make some points with Spain, next March or April. If not the game that will decide who goes to playoff will be in Belgium...
ReplyDeleteBest regards from Portugal!
Thanks for the question, I asume you are asking about our national team. The problem with Turkish soccer in general, is Education!..
ReplyDeleteConsistancy is not with Turkish soccer and our football leaders..
We could see this with Super League teams officials, coaches and in the National team level.
I have my wories about group 5.
I know one think, we willnot finish first....SEcond place will depend on how we do in away mathces in year 2009.
Thanks for your interest....
PS: I was born in Bergama, Izmir.