Turkey thump the Netherlands 3-0 in their Euro qualifier tie
Latvia's Vladislavs Gabovs (left) and Czech Republic's David Limbersky vie for the ball during their Euro 2016 qualifying Group ‘A' match in Riga, Latvia, on Sunday. Czech Republic won 2-1. (Photo: AP)
Paris: The Dutch are in real danger of missing out on a European Championship finals for the first time since 1984 after suffering a second loss in as many games under new coach Danny Blind.
Semifinalists at last year’s World Cup, Holland fell behind inside eight minutes in a packed stadium in Konya in central Turkey to an Oguzhan Ozyakup goal and Barcelona’s Arda Turan doubled the hosts’ lead before the half-hour mark.
The Dutch were dishevelled and Burak Yilmaz sealed Turkey’s win late on, as Fatih Terim’s side leapfrogged their opponents into third place in the section, leaving them in pole position to steal a play-off place.
Iceland sizzle as they secure berth
Iceland made footballing history on Sunday as they qualified for a major tournament finals for the first time, joining the Czech Republic in securing their berth at Euro 2016. The island nation, with its population of barely 3,30,000 became the least populated country ever to qualify for a European Championship thanks to a nervy 0-0 draw with Kazakshtan in Reykjavik.
Iceland only needed a point to secure one of the top two places in Group ‘A’, and captain Aron Gunnarsson of Cardiff City was sent off in the 89th minute just before celebrations erupted on the final whistle. The Czechs sealed their place by defeating Latvia 2-1.
Israel, Wales in a stalemate
Meanwhile, Wales will have to wait before clinching qualification for a first European Championship, and a first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup. They knew a win at home to Israel in Cardiff would guarantee progress from Group ‘B’, but had to settle for a 0-0 draw after failing to find a way past Ofir Marciano in the away goal.
Belgium’s 1-0 win over Cyprus later on Sunday, secured by Eden Hazard’s 86th-minute strike in toasty Nicosia, means Wales still require one point from their final two qualifiers next month.
De Rossi fires in Italy’s triumph
Italy edged closer to qualifying from Group ‘H’ after Daniele De Rossi’s sixth-minute penalty proved enough to beat Bulgaria 1-0 in the Sicilian city of Palermo. De Rossi and Bulgaria’s Ilian Mitsanski were both sent off in the second half, while Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon won his 150th cap.
( Source : AFP )
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