By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (September 6^th 2024)

Start of New Era

Fresh from reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey held Cymru to a 0-0 draw under their new manager, Craig Bellamy – Rob Page was shown the door after failing to steer Wales to Germany’s Euro2024. Wales had the better of the match, but couldn’t find the target. Montella was satisfied with the result, especially after playing almost the last half hour with ten men after Baris Yilmaz received his second yellow card for a bad foul on Neco Williams.

Montella pointed out that Wales were rested while Turkey’s players were tired after their exploits in the summer. Bellamy’s skipper Aaron Ramsey went close twice in the first ten minutes. He headed over the bar from Connor Roberts’ cross after 5 minutes and shot just wide after Sorba Thomas’ cross found him in the area 5 minutes later. Almost five minutes later Harry Wilson’s clever short freekick from outside the area set up Ethan Ampadu, but Leeds United player’s shot just missed. Wales persisted but their efforts failed to find the net. After 25 minutes Kenan Yildiz was yellow carded for a foul on Roberts, beginning a six-minute period where four players – two from each side were yellow carded for bad fouls, Wilson, Brennan Johnson and Yilmaz, whose persistent making a nuisance of himself would eventually cost him dear.

As half time beckoned Ramsey’s shot found Mert Günok equal to the task, saving to his left. At the other end Real Madrid’s Arda Güler’s cross was headed just over by Abdülkerim Bardacki. Honours even at half time.

After the break Güler’s cross was headed over by Yilmaz – his last contribution before seeing red. Ten minutes into the second half Johnson’s close-range effort went just wide and a minute later Wilson’s shot from outside of the area went close. Just over an hour into the match Ramsey’s header cleared the bar. A minute later, referee Rohit Saggi dismissed Yilmaz.

Montella had previously said that Turkey’s Ballon D’Or nominee, Hakan Çalhanoglu may not play at all due to injury. Montella’s plans were wrecked by the sending off. Çalhanouglu was given just over 25 minutes to impress. With three minutes of normal time remaining Çalhanouglu’s cross gave Bardacki an opportunity to steal the points but Danny Ward saved his header. With almost ten minutes of added time Wales pressed for the winner but could not find a way past Günok – it finished 0-0.