Turkey 1-0 England

Under-18 International Friendly
Tevfik Sirri Gur Stadium, Mersin
15 November 2005

England's U18s suffered a one-goal friendly defeat in Turkey but Coach Brian Eastick was pleased with the performance of his side. 

It took a fine strike just after the half-hour mark from Galatasaray's Aydin Yilmaz to separate the two sides in what Eastick described as a "closely fought match".

Following an unforced error in midfield, Turkey won a free-kick outside the area which took a deflection out for a corner. 

From the resulting centre, the knock-down fell kindly for Yilmaz 18-yards from goal and he drove well into the top corner of John Sullivan's net.

"It was a very good finish," said Eastick after the match, "but we are disappointed how it came about."

Despite defeat, Eastick was positive and felt that his side deserved something out of the game.

"This game was always going to be difficult playing in their back yard," Eastick added. 

"Turkey are a very good footballing side and the fact they are current European Champions and reached the semi-finals of the World Championships highlights the type of opposition we were against."

"In the first 45 we played some excellent football and had some very good chances that on another day we may have scored.

"After the break I made a number of changes to give all the lads some valuable match experience and neither side really managed to create any opportunities. 

"But it was a pleasing performance and will hold the lads in good stead as they continue their development. Overall I think they deserved something out of it - maybe neutrals would say a draw was the fair result."

Turkey 1-0 England, U18 International Friendly, 15 November 2005

England: John Sullivan (Brighton & HA) Zac Jones (Blackburn Rovers) 85, Mark Little (Wolverhampton Wanderers) (Elliot Omozusi (Fulham) 70), Anthony Straker (Crystal Palace) (Chris Riley (Tottenham Hotspur) 77), Lee Cattermole (Middlesbrough), Leigh Mills (Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Mancienne (c) (Chelsea), Giles Barnes (Derby County) (Scott Phelan (Everton) 62), Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) (Andrew Gooding (Coventry City) 81), Ishmel Demontagnac (Walsall) (Saheed Sankoh (Fulham) 56), Hogan Ephraim (West Ham Utd) (Jamie Mullan (Manchester United) 81), Myles Weston (Charlton Athletic)

Goals: Yilmaz 31