Turkey vs Palestine

-> OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by James Stringer from Tripoli

Turkey profited today from a wasteful Palestine to stand a chance of progressing into the next round. Ozcan Cihan scored the first goal for Turkey and the only goal for them in the first half. After the goal Palestine began to spring to life after weathering an early Turkish storm. Cicek Serhat received a yellow card before Ozcan Cihan smashed an effort against the post. Keskin Cem was the next Turkish player to waste a good opportunity when he hit the post whilst going through clean on goal; he had support but decided not to use them. Yildirim Nedim Burak was next to have a shot but it was saved by Albattrawi Hussein.

Palestine then started to attack more and had an effort by Almasarei Omar that went over the bar before Altalmas Zeyad has an effort that is well saved by Akbas Mahmut. Alneirab Mahmoud received a yellow card for holding and the resulting 10m penalty by turkey was fired wide by Ozcan Cihan. Altalmas Zeyad had a shot for Palestine that was well saved by Akbas Mahmut in the Turky goal. Cicek Serhat then missed a 10M penalty before Palestine had an effort cleared off the line from Yildirim Nedim Burak.

Palestine increased the tempo and finally got a goal for their efforts. Huthut Hasan got the goal after some excellent build up play through the centre of the pitch. Palestine then went on search of a half time lead and almost got it when Alhelou Anas went racing through but his shot fired wide of the right hand post. They were then awarded a 10m penalty by the referee, it was left to Alhelou Anas to take the responsibility and he made good connection only to see his shot hit the the bar on it’s way over. It was Turkey who finished the half stronger after Kurtay Mustafa fired over the bar and took a shot after a delightful cross over only to see it drift wide of the right hand post.

The second half was end-to-end attacking futsal Turkey having the best of the early exchanges. Saglam Cuma Aziz and Cicek Serhat both had shots for Turkey, only an excellent diving save from Albattrawi Hussein kept the scores level this time. But the onslaught went on and Ozcan Cihan scored his second of the game, Yildirim Nedim Burak was next up to have a pop at Albattrawi Hussein but his effort drifted wide. Yildirim Nedim Burak and Ozcan Cihan both had further efforts denied by the acrobatic keeper before Palestine equalised for the second time of the match. Huthut Hasan was set the task of despatching a free kick towards goal and he smashed an unstoppable shot past the helpless Akbas Mahmut. Aldaour Sami provided a cross to Altalmas Zeyad who shot on the volley but misses wide right just before Aldaour Sami Palestine was booked for inappropriate language towards the referee. After the goal Palestine continued to press against Turkey and had several chances to score again, Alneirab Mahmoud hit the post after leaving the keeper helpless.
Kurtay Mustafa Turkey went on a mazey run and shoot just wide of the right hand post, and Alneirab Mahmoud of Palestine missed an open goal. They may well have rued that miss as Turky went on to score straight afterwards. Yildirim Nedim Burak had a shot that went through the keepers legs to make it 3-2. Almost straight afterwards Turkey had developed a 2 goal cushion with Koseoglu Kenan scoring a cracking solo goal. After a step over on the left he ran down the line and hammered a shot into the far corner.

Palestine didn’t let their heads drop and were awarded a 10m Penalty, which Alhelou Anas, powered into the bottom right corner to reduce the deficit. A form of comeback was short lived as Kurtay Mustafa scored for Turkey. Ozcan Cihan held up the ball up outside the box and laid it off to Kurtay Mustafa who smashed it into the back of the net and with the final kick of the match, Ozcan Cihan scored to end the game at 6 -3. A comprehensive victory in the end for Turkey but you have to wonder what if for Palestine, a good showing in this match but they are now out of the competition.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com