ISTANBUL -- Turkey and Slovakia drew 1-1
on Saturday in a World Cup European qualifier full of chances
for both sides that leaves three teams neck-and-neck at the top
of group four.
The result keeps both Turkey and Slovakia at the top of the
group on eight points and they are now joined by Sweden, who won
1-0 over Macedonia earlier.
Inter Milan striker Hakan Sukur scored from the penalty spot
to put Turkey ahead in the 53rd minute but the Slovaks drew
level 15 minutes later when Robert Tomaschek profited from a
scramble in the box.
The Slovaks looked solid in defence and had the better of
the attacking chances, forcing Turkish keeper Rustu Recber to
make three or four fine saves.
Turkey, aided by the harrying of attacker Hasan Sas, found
Sukur in the box on a number of occasions but the striker's
first touch appeared to have deserted him.
Midfielder Umit Davala and Turkish captain Ogun Temizkanoglu
both went close with long drives in the final minutes, roared on
by a capacity Turkish crowd at Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen
stadium.
Turkey now travel to Macedonia, while Slovakia host
Azerbaijan next Wednesday.
Lacklustre Sweden beat Macedonia, take group lead
GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- An unimpressive
Sweden beat Macedonia 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday
to take the lead in European group four.
Anders Svensson scored the winner two minutes before
halftime, hitting home a low shot from nine metres.
The goal was set up by Fredrik Ljungberg, whose diagonal
forward pass to Henrik Larsson was cleverly run over by Yksel
Osmanovski, fooling the Macedonian defence.
Larsson sent the ball into an empty area in front of goal
and Svensson, unmarked on the run, made no mistake.
Sweden top group four with eight points from four matches,
with group rivals Turkey and Slovakia playing later on Saturday.
Sweden face Moldova away next Wednesday. Moldova held Azerbaijan
to a goalless draw on Saturday.
Nine-man Moldova hold Azerbaijan to goalless draw
BAKU -- Moldova had two players sent off
but held on for a 0-0 draw against Azerbaijan in a World Cup
European group four qualifier on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Eugen Hmaruc was dismissed in the 14th minute by
German referee Wolfgang Stark for handling the ball outside the
penalty box. Midfielder Serghei Epureanu followed him in the
65th minute for a second yellow card.
Azerbaijan also lost a player when Farukh Ismailov was sent
off for his second bookable offence 10 minutes from time.
Despite the advantage of an extra man for most of the game,
hosts Azerbaijan failed to create any real scoring chances
against Denis Romanenco, who took Hmaruc's place.
It was Azerbaijan's first point in their qualifying campaign
and they remained bottom of the group.
Moldova occupy one place above them with two points, also
after four games.
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