Turkey scores two late goals to advance to quarterfinals

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-16  |     ONLINE EDITION

NIHAT Kahveci scored two goals in three minutes late in the match yesterday to finish off an incredible comeback and give Turkey a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic for a spot in the European Championship quarterfinals.

Nihat profited from an unlikely blunder from Petr Cech, one of the world's greatest goalkeepers, who fumbled a simple cross in the 87th minute. With the game seemingly heading for a penalty shootout, the Czech defense fell apart and Nihat scored the decider with a precise inside-foot shot that bounced off the bar and into the goal two minutes later.

"Seeing the ball in the nets and knowing that the goal was bringing a win and the quarterfinals, it was an unbelievable feeling," Nihat said.

Cech took the blame for the stunning demise of his team.

"It was my mistake that decided that we have to go home," the Chelsea goalkeeper said.

Jan Koller had given the Czechs the lead in the 34th, and Jaroslav Plasil added another in the 62nd. Arda Turan started the comeback for the Turks in the 75th by finishing off a sweeping move with a low drive that Cech could only deflect off his post and past the line.

Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was red-carded in injury time for knocking down Koller, and will miss the team's quarterfinal match against Croatia on Friday in Vienna. Midfielder Tuncay Sanli replaced Demirel in goal for the final seconds.

"The Turkish national team is in the top eight. Hopefully it will get only better from now on," Turkey coach Fatih Terim said.

"I'm proud that I have players who know that the match ends with the referee's whistle. We showed to the whole world what kind of a team we are," Terim added. "We had said that we came here to go until the end. We are working to make that goal come true."