Match 17 : Turkey vs Czech Republic : Report
Last game of the group A and the matches to be played simultaneously.Portugal had already qualified for the group stages,Switzerland were out of contention with two defeats in the first two games.It was down to these two teams to battle it out for the second spot and to face Croatia,winners of Group B in the quarter finals in Vienna.
Possibilities of penalties were there upon as if it was all square after 90 minutes.Czech's started without Milan Baros up front.They were also with a better head-to-head record(3 wins in 4 games) against the Turks.
So lets get down to the game.
A game with 7 yellow cards and one red card,you would imagine it was a dirty and sluggish affair with both teams playing anything but a pretty game.Then,you're WRONG!
Yes you would be totally,absolutely,completely wrong to think that about THIS game.
Czech's opened the scoring through the gigantic Koller,who I think is worse than Crouch with his feet.He headed in a perfectly placed ball from the right only to beat a desperate dive by the Demirel.Czech Republic 1 Turkey 0 in the 34th minute.
[VIDEO]
Going into halftime Czech Republic were the dominant force against a defensive Turkey team who had very little if at all any shots on the target.
The second half opened with both teams desperate to get the advantage after some very inspiring talks from the managers.
Although it was Plasil who looked the hungrier of the players when he ran past a defender to slot the ball in after a cross from the right went over the head of Koller and was very hard for the keeper to save.Czech Republic 2 Turkey 0.
[VIDEO]
It was 2-0 and the Czech's had become hungry to get the third to shut the game off once and for all.Also with 75minutes gone and a two goal lead it would only be a miracle to comeback and get at least two goals to go into penalties.This two goal cushion also unsettled the Czech defense who looked shaky now with constant attacks from Turkey coming majorly from the right flank after good build up play amongst the wingers.
Turkey pulled one back through Turan in the 75th minute with a great pull back in the box with a side foot finish past a diving Cech who could have done a better job.Czech Republic 2 Turkey 1.
[VIDEO]
The clock read 87 minutes,the scoreline read Czech Republic 2 Turkey 1,only three more minutes for the Czech's to hang on.It was pouring in Geneva.Pouring but that didn't stop the Turks from another attack and another ball into the box from the right,no one but Nihat in the box.Good enough height for Cech to come out and take control of the situation and maybe dive in and waste a few seconds.But he spills it and it falls into Nihat's right foot.He wasn't going to miss that!Woeful handling by one of the best goalkeepers in the world.Agreed a wet ball but that should have been an easy catch. Czech Republic 2 Turkey 2.
[VIDEO]
Surprise Surprise! The word PENALTY was repeated often now.But that word didn't last long.The 89th minute,defensive lapse from the Czech's and Nihat scores the third for the Turks,fifth of the game and his second of the night.Great finish.Not even close to being offside.This goal is a must see by the way.Czech Republic 2 Turkey 3!!
[VIDEO]
There were some horrible scenes at the end though when the Turkish goalkeeper Demirel was sent off after a push to Koller.This means he would miss the next game and this would be a great blow to Turkey.As of right now,they need to celebrate the entry into the quarterfinals after an astounding comeback.The best game of the tournament so far,only beating the Netherlands' games by a little margin.One of the best games of European Championships,EVER!
Possibilities of penalties were there upon as if it was all square after 90 minutes.Czech's started without Milan Baros up front.They were also with a better head-to-head record(3 wins in 4 games) against the Turks.
So lets get down to the game.
A game with 7 yellow cards and one red card,you would imagine it was a dirty and sluggish affair with both teams playing anything but a pretty game.Then,you're WRONG!
Yes you would be totally,absolutely,completely wrong to think that about THIS game.
Czech's opened the scoring through the gigantic Koller,who I think is worse than Crouch with his feet.He headed in a perfectly placed ball from the right only to beat a desperate dive by the Demirel.Czech Republic 1 Turkey 0 in the 34th minute.
[VIDEO]
Going into halftime Czech Republic were the dominant force against a defensive Turkey team who had very little if at all any shots on the target.
The second half opened with both teams desperate to get the advantage after some very inspiring talks from the managers.
Although it was Plasil who looked the hungrier of the players when he ran past a defender to slot the ball in after a cross from the right went over the head of Koller and was very hard for the keeper to save.Czech Republic 2 Turkey 0.
[VIDEO]
It was 2-0 and the Czech's had become hungry to get the third to shut the game off once and for all.Also with 75minutes gone and a two goal lead it would only be a miracle to comeback and get at least two goals to go into penalties.This two goal cushion also unsettled the Czech defense who looked shaky now with constant attacks from Turkey coming majorly from the right flank after good build up play amongst the wingers.
Turkey pulled one back through Turan in the 75th minute with a great pull back in the box with a side foot finish past a diving Cech who could have done a better job.Czech Republic 2 Turkey 1.
[VIDEO]
The clock read 87 minutes,the scoreline read Czech Republic 2 Turkey 1,only three more minutes for the Czech's to hang on.It was pouring in Geneva.Pouring but that didn't stop the Turks from another attack and another ball into the box from the right,no one but Nihat in the box.Good enough height for Cech to come out and take control of the situation and maybe dive in and waste a few seconds.But he spills it and it falls into Nihat's right foot.He wasn't going to miss that!Woeful handling by one of the best goalkeepers in the world.Agreed a wet ball but that should have been an easy catch. Czech Republic 2 Turkey 2.
[VIDEO]
Surprise Surprise! The word PENALTY was repeated often now.But that word didn't last long.The 89th minute,defensive lapse from the Czech's and Nihat scores the third for the Turks,fifth of the game and his second of the night.Great finish.Not even close to being offside.This goal is a must see by the way.Czech Republic 2 Turkey 3!!
[VIDEO]
There were some horrible scenes at the end though when the Turkish goalkeeper Demirel was sent off after a push to Koller.This means he would miss the next game and this would be a great blow to Turkey.As of right now,they need to celebrate the entry into the quarterfinals after an astounding comeback.The best game of the tournament so far,only beating the Netherlands' games by a little margin.One of the best games of European Championships,EVER!
Labels: euro 2008
posted by Tanuj Lakhina at
6/16/2008 02:45:00 AM
4 Comments:
Being a Petr Cech fan, not an ideal result. But what a match. Football at its best.
If you missed this match then you missed the best game of the tournament.Champions league final,penalties?BLAH in front of this.Yeah this game was certainly better even without the nail biting penalty finish.
Awesome match, but too bad for the Czechs. When they already lead 2-0 there was no Tomas Rosicky to control the game.
Yeah the Czech's miss Rosicky and Nedved who would have been great in midfield.Also France is highly missing Zizou as Ribery and Coupet had said.He would have taken on the Dutch alone.Wish he could play forever!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home