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Home  » Sports » Materazzi own goal gives Turkey draw in Italy

Materazzi own goal gives Turkey draw in Italy

By Simon Evans
November 16, 2006 11:48 IST
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An own goal from Italy defender Marco Materazzi gave Turkey a 1-1 draw away to the world champions in a friendly on Wednesday.

Materazzi slid the ball into his own net in the 42nd minute just two minutes after the Azzurri had taken the lead through Antonio Di Natale - who converted a simple chance after a dreadful clearance from Turkish substitute keeper Volkran Demirel.

The two freakish goals did little to liven up a low-key experimental friendly match with Italy coach Roberto Donadoni using nine substitutes after the break.

The Azzurri went close to an early opener in just the sixth minute when Alberto Gilardino swiveled and fired in a fine volley which Turkey keeper Rustu Recber did well to tip over the bar.

Three minutes later Rustu was stretchered off after suffering an injury as he raced off his line to acrobatically punch clear - Turkey coach Fatih Terim forced to bring on Fenerbahce reserve keeper Demirel.

There was little fluidity to the game with neither side able to keep possession or threaten the opposing goal - although Italy, who gave a debut to Milan's Cristian Brocchi in midfield, looked comfortable at the back if somewhat disjointed further forward.

Turkey probed mainly down the flanks and it was from the right-wing that they gave Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon his first piece of work with a shot from Hamit Altintop fired at the near post.

It was a farcical goal that gave Italy the lead in the 40th minute. Substitute keeper Volkan's drop kick went just five metres before hitting the back of Gilardino's leg and fell kindly to Di Natale who slotted into an unguarded net.

"That was an error from the goalkeeper of the kind I have never seen before," said Turkey coach Fatih Terim.

Within two minutes though the visitors were back on level terms. Arda Turn fed Ibrahim Uzulmez on the left flank and his low cross was turned into his own net from close range by a sliding Materazzi.

Donadoni made five changes at the interval, handing a debut to Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani and his decision to experiment hardly helped his team find a rhythm.

Turkish midfielder Emre Belozoglu burst through the Azzurri defence with surprising ease four minutes after the restart, striking the outside of Buffon's post with a low drive.

Then substitute Halil Altintop should have done much better in the 63rd minute when he was found at the back post but scuffed a harmless shot at Marco Amelia, who had replaced Buffon in the Italy goal.

Turkey fancied their chances of claiming victory on the home turf of the World Cup winners but they lacked the killer touch against a solid Italy defence and with little at stake neither side seemed unhappy with the result.

"We were up against excellent opponents who were physical and fast and made us suffer a little by not giving us space," said Donadoni.

"It was a good test for us but we were able to handle the game pretty well."

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Simon Evans
Source: REUTERS
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