Euro 2008 - Day 5: Turkey Eliminates Switzerland in a Torrential Downpour
June 12th 2008 02:03
Both teams had to win to stay alive in the competition, and although the rain prevented Turkey from playing their style, they managed to grab a dramatic win which eliminated the co-hosts from the tournament. Though it was a sad day for Swiss fans, their team's early exit was already set in stone when they lost Alexander Frei in the opening match. Marco Streller's forfeit for today's match only compounded Switzerland's woes in front despite the presence of veteran Hakan Yakin.
With rain pouring down in St. Jakob-Park, the quality of the field quickly degraded and both teams were forced to throw their tactics out the window since the numerous puddles of water made the ball and the players' reactions highly unpredictable. The Swiss were the quickest to adapt to the lousy weather as they used high and long balls to move their team forward. Turkey, on the other hand, insisted on playing on the ground despite the fact that the ball simply wouldn't follow as the water on the ground slowed the ball down, making quick passes simply impossible. Consequently, Switzerland were the first to score when Hakan Yakin kicked a crossed ball into an empty net. Tukey's goalkeeper had came off his line to challenge incoming striker Eren Derdiyok but the water on the field prevented him from stopping his slide. Derdiyok easily ran around him and delivered a cross to the second post where Hakan Yakin was waiting. And just like that, Switzerland had scored the first goal of the tournament.
At the half-time break, Turkey's coach Fatih Terim decided to take a gamble by making some substitutions. His team started the second half with two new players, changing his squad's formation in the process from a 4-4-2 to an attack-minded 4-3-3. The effect was almost immediate as Turkey tied the game at the 57th minute with half-time substitute Semih Senturk heading the ball in Benaglio's net. Turkey looked very menacing with their three forwards. As a consequence, Switzerland started to retreat deeper in their territory, waiting for a chance on the counterattack. That opportunity came towards the end of the game when the Swiss rushed down the field three against one. Volkan, the Turkish goalkeeper, stood tall and denied the Swiss forwards twice in the same play. As the Swiss were preparing themselves for a tie, Turkey's Arda Turan received the ball on the left wing during extra-time. Benefiting from the field's condition which prevented the Swiss defenders from reacting more quickly, Turan cut on the inside, made his way to the entrance of the 18-yard box and unleashed a shot that deflected off a defender to surprise Benaglio. Turkey had scored their second goal in the second minute of extra-time, dashing the hopes of the Swiss people. They now have the chance to qualify for the quaterfinals if they manage to defeat the Czech Republic.
My man of the match: Volkan Demirel. The Turkish goalkeeper had to fight the weather all game long, dealing with a slippery ball and sliding too far from his goal due to the water on the field. Yet, he came out big when it mattered, preventing Switzerland from scoring a second goal.
Honorable mentions:
- Hakan Yakin. The Swiss striker with Turkish roots scored his team's only goal and often came close to scoring a second.
- Fatih Terim. Turkey's coach took a tough decision at halftime, opting to use two out of his three substitutions even though he had several players on the field semi-injured who didn't look like they could last the whole game.
With rain pouring down in St. Jakob-Park, the quality of the field quickly degraded and both teams were forced to throw their tactics out the window since the numerous puddles of water made the ball and the players' reactions highly unpredictable. The Swiss were the quickest to adapt to the lousy weather as they used high and long balls to move their team forward. Turkey, on the other hand, insisted on playing on the ground despite the fact that the ball simply wouldn't follow as the water on the ground slowed the ball down, making quick passes simply impossible. Consequently, Switzerland were the first to score when Hakan Yakin kicked a crossed ball into an empty net. Tukey's goalkeeper had came off his line to challenge incoming striker Eren Derdiyok but the water on the field prevented him from stopping his slide. Derdiyok easily ran around him and delivered a cross to the second post where Hakan Yakin was waiting. And just like that, Switzerland had scored the first goal of the tournament.
At the half-time break, Turkey's coach Fatih Terim decided to take a gamble by making some substitutions. His team started the second half with two new players, changing his squad's formation in the process from a 4-4-2 to an attack-minded 4-3-3. The effect was almost immediate as Turkey tied the game at the 57th minute with half-time substitute Semih Senturk heading the ball in Benaglio's net. Turkey looked very menacing with their three forwards. As a consequence, Switzerland started to retreat deeper in their territory, waiting for a chance on the counterattack. That opportunity came towards the end of the game when the Swiss rushed down the field three against one. Volkan, the Turkish goalkeeper, stood tall and denied the Swiss forwards twice in the same play. As the Swiss were preparing themselves for a tie, Turkey's Arda Turan received the ball on the left wing during extra-time. Benefiting from the field's condition which prevented the Swiss defenders from reacting more quickly, Turan cut on the inside, made his way to the entrance of the 18-yard box and unleashed a shot that deflected off a defender to surprise Benaglio. Turkey had scored their second goal in the second minute of extra-time, dashing the hopes of the Swiss people. They now have the chance to qualify for the quaterfinals if they manage to defeat the Czech Republic.
My man of the match: Volkan Demirel. The Turkish goalkeeper had to fight the weather all game long, dealing with a slippery ball and sliding too far from his goal due to the water on the field. Yet, he came out big when it mattered, preventing Switzerland from scoring a second goal.
Honorable mentions:
- Hakan Yakin. The Swiss striker with Turkish roots scored his team's only goal and often came close to scoring a second.
- Fatih Terim. Turkey's coach took a tough decision at halftime, opting to use two out of his three substitutions even though he had several players on the field semi-injured who didn't look like they could last the whole game.
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