EUROPEAN UNDER 21 QUALIFIER: Rep of Ireland 0 Turkey 3(D Yilmaz 13, Özkan 40, Sismanoglu 91) - IRELAND WERE short on luck and a cutting edge at Turner's Cross last night, succumbing to two first-half goals from a Turkey side that held their hosts at arm's length despite having less of the ball overall. It was not the start Don Givens had hoped for from this qualifying campaign as his charges failed to convert even one of a string of decent chances.
Galatasaray forward Deniz Yilmaz and defender Emre Özkan ensured the highly-rated Turkish outfit led at half-time and Ömer Sismanoglu’s injury-time effort completed the scoring.
Givens had chosen Shamrock Rovers defender Ian Bermingham to fill in for the injured Séamus Coleman at left back, while Turkey had two survivors from their last competitive outing, goalscorer Pektemek and standout performer Aydin Yilmaz, who gave Bermingham plenty to think about on the right flank.
Ireland started very well but unfortunately, Turkey’s very professional away performance saw them convert two out of the three chances that came their way during that 45-minute spell.
In the 13th minute, Ireland captain Eddie Nolan handed the visitors their first sniff at goal with a poor header back to goalkeeper Shane Redmond. Yilmaz pounced, rifling home a half volley to the top corner from just inside the box.
Cillian Sheridan should have brought his side back into the contest on 23 minutes when his free header at the back post, after a fine Own Garvan cross, set up, in turn, by a deft Jay O’Shea back heel, went agonisingly wide.
And that poor miss would be eventually punished in the 40th minute when Ireland were once again caught at a set-piece, Ferhat Kiraz’s corner fell to Özkan who turned to blast to the back of the net from just eight yards.
Young Hamilton Academicals prospect James McCarthy was brought on for David Meyler at the break as the Irish management sought to salvage something.
And chances in the opening exchanges after the break did fall the way of the Irish. Garvan had a shot tipped over by Fenerbahçe stopper and visiting skipper Volkan Babacan.
But Turkey responded with chances of their own, Reading midfielder Jem Paul Karacan and substitute Ömer Sismanoglu, twice, both coming close.
O’Shea’s last action before his withdrawal from the fray in the 70th minute was a right-footed shot which came close but was ultimately Ireland’s last hope of the evening as Turkey cruised home to bag the points when Sismanoglu converted following his own run from outside the Irish area.
IRELAND:S Redmond (Eastwood Town); B Moloney (Nottingham Forest), E Nolan (capt, Preston), D Dennehy (Hereford), I Bermingham (Shamrock Rovers); S Gleeson (MK Dons), O Garvan (Ipswich), D Meyler (Sunderland); A Judge (Plymouth), J O'Shea (Galway), C Sheridan (Motherwell). Subs: J McCarthy (Hamilton) for Meyler, ht; G Carey (Bohemians) for O'Shea (73 mins); C Fagan (Hamilton) for Judge (81 mins). Not used: M Spillane (Luton), S Henderson (Bristol City) JJ O'Toole (Watford)
TURKEY:V Babacan (capt); S Kaya , E Özkan, A Demir, F Bikmaz; A Yilmaz, JP Karacan, S Aydoðdu , F Kiraz; M Pektemek, D Yilmaz. Subs: M Ceylan for Aydoðdu (42 mins); Ö Sismanoglu for D Yilmaz, T Torunfor Kiraz (both 70 mins). Not used: C Gönen, T Acar, S Kesimal, G Vural .
Referee:Stanislav Todorov (Bulgaria).
Attendance:2,514
