Turkey defeats Netherlands in Euro 2016 qualification game

KONYA

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Turkey has breathed new life into its quest to qualify for Euro 2016 after it defeated an uncharacteristically moribund Dutch side 3-0 in Konya on Sept. 6.

Turkish midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup opened the scoring in the seventh minute, while the country’s biggest star, Arda Turan, made it two 20 minutes later when his shot evaded Jasper Cillessen’s attempted save in the Dutch goal.

Though the Netherlands enjoyed the majority of the possession, they failed to display a cutting edge in front of goal. Despite Dutch appeals for a foul, Burak Yılmaz killed off the game late on after seeing his deflected shot hit the roof of the net past the despairing Cillessen.

Turkey is now in third place in Group A, two points ahead of the Netherlands for a playoff place. The Turks will play their final two matches away to the Czech Republic and at home to Iceland, while the Dutch will travel away to Kazakhstan before welcoming the Czechs in their final match.

Elsewhere in Group A, the Czech Republic qualified by defeating Latvia 2-1 while Iceland was held to a 0-0 draw at home to also-rans Kazakhstan, but the point was enough to send the Scandinavians to their first-ever major tournament.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu was in attendance to watch Turkey’s match held at Torku Arena.