Switzerland 1-2 Turkey: Arda pounces in injury time to send co-hosts Switzerland sliding out

Published on 11/06/2008 23:59

SWITZERLAND 1 Yakin (32) TURKEY 2 Senturk (57), Turan (92)

TURKEY's Arda Turan stunned Switzerland with an injury-time goal at a rain-soaked St Jakob-Park Stadium last night to knock the Euro 2008 co-hosts out of the tournament.

Hakan Yakin opened the scoring for Switzerland in the 32nd minute but substitute Semih Senturk's equaliser shortly before the hour mark left both teams searching for their first win in Group A and in the bottom two places of the group.

Just as the game looked to be headed for a draw, Arda struck from the edge of the area. His right-footed effort deflected off a Swiss defender and into the goal to silence the home crowd.

The Swiss had had a chance to move in front late in the game but Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel made a stunning save to deny Yakin's close-range effort.

Turkey take on the Czech Republic in the last group game on Sunday while the Swiss face unbeaten Portugal.

Both teams struggled with the very wet conditions but it did not spoil the atmosphere for the fans packed into the stadium.

Injuries forced Turkey coach Fatih Terim to make three changes to his starting line-up and it was Mehmet Aurelio who was handed the challenging role of replacing injured Emre at the heart of midfield. Stand-in captain Nihat Kahveci was the engine for the Turks.

Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn brought in attacking duo Eren Derdiyok and Hakan Yakin, hoping the absence of all-time leading scorer Alexander Frei through injury would not hinder his side. It proved a wise move by the veteran tactician as both players made life difficult for Demirel.

Nihat was first to test Diego Benaglio early on but his angled effort was saved by the goalkeeper. But with the hosts making unforced errors, Turkey surged forward more aggressively.

Switzerland had their first shot on goal in the 19th minute, Gokhan Inler's 30-yard strike forcing Demirel into action.

Turkey may have dominated the early part of the match but midway through the first half, Yakin warmed the hands of Demirel with a stinging left-footed drive which the keeper palmed away for a corner.

Demirel's next contribution was more spectacular, the goalkeeper making a one-handed save from Tranquilo Barnetta's curled free-kick.

The Turks were unlucky not to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark, with Nihat's free-kick cleared by Benaglio but only as far as Turan, whose header struck the far post.

Switzerland broke the deadlock two minutes later. A long ball from Philippe Senderos was controlled by Eren Derdiyok who passed to Yakin at the far post for an easy tap-in.

The goal inspired the hosts who should have extended their lead shortly after. But Yakin fired wide at the far post from Valon Behrami's beautiful cross in what was the last chance of the opening half.

Senturk came on for Gokdeniz Karadeniz after the restart and scored ten minutes later, latching onto Nihat's cross from the left and beating Benaglio with a powerful header.

On the hour mark, Tuncay fired wide from the edge of the area as the Turks kept going forward. They should have taken the lead in the 73rd minute as Tuncay curled in an inviting cross which Nihat was unable to convert but they continued to battle and their efforts paid off.

Turkey: Demirel, Emre Asik, Cetin, Balta, Metin (Topal, 46), Karadeniz (Senturk, 46), Aurelio, Arda, Altintop, Tuncay Sanli, Nihat (Kazim, 85).

Switzerland: Benaglio, Senderos, Muller, Magnin, Lichtsteiner, Yakin (Gygax, 85), Inler, Fernandes (Cabanas, 76), Behrami, Barnetta (Vonlanthen, 66), Derdiyok.