This was back in the day when the Turks were not the force at international level that they now are. England had scored 13 and conceded none in their first three internationals against Turkey and, even to this day, England have never lost against the Turks (9 games played, 7 wins, 2 draws). The featured game proved to be something of a rout and remains to this day the most number of goals that I have seen England score in a single match. Bobby Robson's England were ahead after just one minute thanks to a cross from Neil Webb, starting his first international, which was turned in by John Barnes at the far post. We didn't have to wait long for the second goal scored by Barcelona's Gary Lineker after just eight minutes. With 28 minutes gone, John Barnes grabbed his second and England's third following good work by Peter Beardsley. The first half was completed by England's fourth goal, a second goal for Gary Lineker scored at the second attempt.
It often happens that, with a game effectively in the bag by half time, teams switch off and coast the second half with no further scoring. 4-0 should rightly be turned into 8-0 though shouldn't it? That rarely seems to happen but, on this rather damp night, we saw England carry on where they left off after 45 minutes. In monsoon like conditions Bryan Robson flicked in England's fifth from a shot by Neil Webb. Beardsley headed in England's sixth following a delicate chip by Monaco's Glenn Hoddle who had come on as a substitute. England's seventh, scored in the 71st minute was Lineker's hattrick goal, his fourth international hattrick. Finally, with just two minutes remaining, Nottingham Forest's Neil Webb volleyed home his debut goal in international football to round off the scoring. It was no more than he deserved.
This game was part of the Qualification process for the 1988 European Championships to be held in West Germany (since rebranded "Euro88") and England's Group contained the old Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland along with Turkey. England won the Group without losing a game (5 wins, 1 draw) with only the top team going through. Turkey didn't win any of their six games although they did manage two draws, both goalless games at home to England and Northern Ireland.
Since the 1980's, the Turkish national side has improved considerably and their capabilities now match what the very best of their club sides have long been able to do. Indeed, in 2002 at the Japan & South Korea World Cup, Turkey surprised everyone by going all the way to a Semi-final against Brazil in what was only their second ever World Cup. They haven't managed to qualify since however.
Comments
Post a Comment