Turkey sends positive signals beating Sweden 2-1 in friendly

ANKARA

Turkey's Arda Turan, vies with Sweden's Pontus Wernbloom. AP photo

The Turkish national football team sent out positive messages ahead of its European Championship qualifier campaign, beating Sweden 2-1 in a friendly game in Ankara on March 5.

A goal in the opening minutes from Saint-Etienne forward Mevlüt Erdinç gave Turkey the lead, before a blunder from Semih Kaya allowed Ola Toivonen to level the score for the visitors in the 54th minute.

However, Turkey was able to regain the lead with Olcan Adın heading the ball in following a Caner Erkin cross only three minutes after the equalizer.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim said he was proud of the result. “There was a good atmosphere with Ankara spectators. It will be nicer in a game where points at stake. We had a good rhythm. That was a national team to be watched with pride,” Terim said.  Turkey will face the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Iceland and Kazakhstan in the Euro 2016 qualifying Group A.

Turkey will start its campaign against Iceland on Sept. 9, 2014.