Match report by Evgeni Polyakov from Atatürk Stadium
UEFA.com
Aydın Yılmaz scored the only goal four minutes into added time as
Turkey marked their first home game in 2011 UEFA European Under-21
Championship qualifying with a victory against Armenia.
Bouncing back
Hami Mandirali’s side began Group 2 with three-goal victories away to
the Republic of Ireland and Armenia before a 4-0 defeat in Georgia
last time out stopped them in their tracks. They were confident of
bouncing back against an Armenia team which had conceded ten goals in
three point-less outings in the section, only to be frustrated by
indifferent shooting and stubborn defending until Aydın scored with
virtually the last kick of the match
from outside the box.
Half chances
The first half was even with Armenia’s opportunities chiefly being of
the half variety and from range. Turkey were more threatening, and
central defenders Demir Aiykut and Serdar Aziz both headed Ferhat
Kiraz corners narrowly wide. Coach Mandirali signalled his intent by
using all three substitutes
within 12 minutes of the restart, although his new-look XI failed to
trouble Edvard Hovhannisyan in the Armenia goal. The keeper had to be
at his best, however, to deny Mustafa Pektemek on the hour and Burak
Ã=87alık in the 77th minute, but could do nothing about Aydın’s
precise strike in added time.