Wales vs Türkiye: EURO Qualification Battle

Wales has 11 points in the league, winning three games out of seven. Welsh has a chance to secure a place in the final tournament when playing on Tuesday because if the Croats lose against Armenians, then the Welsh are the only team with a chance for a place in the final championship.

Contrary to that, there is nowhere for Turkey in the Group Stage of the German Championship next season. Coming off one of their best seasons that saw them qualify for the Europa League and make it through to their third consecutive European Championship appearing year, they proved why they’re a force in this final group game as they beat Latvia 4-0. Interestingly, three players, such as Cenk Tosun of Besiktas, scored in that second half that saw Arsenal win comprehensively.

Let’s take a look at today’s match highlights:

First-half begins!!!

• In the 3rd minute, a Ccautious start by both teams until James finds a void on the righthand side. Nevertheless, his low cross goes straight through the Turkish defense wall.
• In the 7th minute, the scorecard reads 1-0! Williams scores for Wales, and we begin with a promising start for the home side. Wing-back passes the ball through the left flank with many openings, turns back, and swirls it into the far post. This is an ideal start for the home side in do-or-die encounters that they need to win it all.
• Wilson has good vision and notices Williams on the left, who concludes the run with a skilfully curled finish.
• In the 13th minute, sitting back and waiting for counterattacks in Wales. It works well when Johnson, Wilson, and Broadhead combine to come close to helping Broadhead get a shot. Despite this, the situation calms down when Turkey clears the danger but indicates goodwill on Page’s part.
• In the 19th minute, the game is briefly halted, with Turkey’s goalkeeper Cakir taking a nap on his knee. Painfully, he struggles to stand up again but persists in a bid.
• In the 20th minute, Roberts is freed down the right wing by Lockyer’s ambitious long ball that almost does just that but because the ball carries too much power, it skips off the surface and beyond grasp from the wing-back only to yield a goal kick.
• In the 22nd minute, after colliding with Bardakci, Johnson receives the first booking. A fair for the Welsh forward late challenging on the centre back, and he is booked.
• In the 24th minute, Ozkacar fails to keep it in at the left post as Sari sends across a cross high and wide to the right of him.
• In the 26th minute, a challenging effort from the Turkish D defenders where Akaydin takes Johnson down in the box. The referee does not give a penalty but a corner. James’ header from the set piece misses.
• In the 30th minute, another awkward appeal from Akaydin in the goal box while he is wrestling Johnson, and again, the referee refuses the call-outs. Now he stops at Cakir’s fall again.
• In the 32nd minute, the decision holds firm as VAR has gone through its own set of checks.
• In the 33rd minute, Bayındir replaces another Turkish keeper, Cakir.
• In what appears to be tactical, Yazici replaces Turkey with less than the fifty-third minute.
• In the 35th minute, Davies is also good rising from another Welsh set piece, though he cannot head it towards goal.
• In the 38th minute, tiredly running along the left side, Williams puts in a low cross that Kadioglu effectively blocks.
• In the 40th minute, Wales has not been subjected to much defensive pressure, but Rodon is sharp enough to protect the ball for a free kick goal.
• In the 42nd minute, Akturkoglu can equalize the scores. As the winger has space, he tries a left-footed volley that goes over the crossbar from a little over 6 yards out. He instead switches the ball on his left foot, as he misses the target with the attempt.
• In the 43rd minute, Johnson's deflecting shot almost catches Bayindir off guard for a good chance at the other end, though he makes a great save and gathers the loose ball.

Second-half begins!!

• In the 46th minute, the first substitution in the beginning of the second half sees Celik replace Ozkazcar for Turkey.
• The substitution is made, and the second half begins at Cardiff.
• In the 49th minute, Johnson’s pass is precise as Broad Head impresses and locates him. However, the Tottenham forward’s effort still yields a cleanly struck goal that forces Bayindir into making a spectacular save by quickly sliding to his right to turn the ball around the far post.
• In the 53rd minute, yellow card for Yuzef Yazici.
• In the 58th minute, an excellent save was made by Ward! The last corner is delivered by Sari, leading to a big header of Akaydin, but Ward’s brave close-range save doesn’t let the ball hit his net.
• In the 59th minute, Yildiz is another substitute in the forward position for the visiting team as Yilmaz makes his last appearance.
• In the 62nd minute, Wales first makes a change when Brooks replaces Broadhead.
• In the 67th minute, with the Turks playing a long ball into another corner again, they continue to push the Welsh defense hard. Ward steps out of the goal post to scoop up Sari’s cross, however he lets the ball go, and opens doors for Turkey to score. Luckily, Wilson stands in front well and kicks it clear, earning his team a free-kick.
• In the 69th minute, their patience reaps them a penalty courtesy of continuous Turkish pressure. A ball is thrown from the left, and it lands on Yildiz, who is supposed to have been pushed down on the floor by Davies.
• A yellow card also goes to the Welsh center-back committing a foul.
• In the 70th minute, GOAL for Turkey! First minute, first chance! Yazici makes no mistake in finding the net from the spot with a low shot which is placed just below the right hand of Ward.
• In the 72nd minute, a yellow card for Mehmet Zeki Çelik.
• In the 79th minute, Sarı has been the last to be substituted, whereas Ayhan is the newest addition.
• In the 80th minute, late changes for Wales, too, as Wilson gave way to James in the forwards—the last ten minutes of the match.
• In the 82nd minute, Turkoglu is booked for dissent and gets a yellow card.
• In the 84th minute, Johnson is beautifully put through on goal and expertly chips past a defender into the corner of the net. Nevertheless, the target itself will be blown away by the offside flag in this case.
• Subsequently, after an awarded one, Page opts for Williams for Moore following a second disallowed goal.
• In the 87th minute, Akturkoglu dashes the right side, but Rodon’s inch-perfect tackle snuffs out the winger at the last moment.
• In the 89th minute, a yellow card for wasting time is shown to Ozcan.
• In the 90' + 5' minute, Roberts receives a yellow card after an incident occurs between the players afterward.
• In the 90' + 5' minute, a yellow card is also shown to Ward as he is involved in this incident after full-time.
• In the 90' + 5' minute, Bayindir too, goes into the records for this.
• Game over with WALES 1-1 TURKEY.