England completed a perfect group stage record at the Blind Football European Championships with a 2-1 win against Turkey.
Despite trailing at half-time, goals from Roy Turnham and Dan English meant England won all four of their group games to set up a semi-final against Russia.
England 2-1 Turkey
IBSA Blind European Championships
Group A
thePoint4, Hereford
Wednesday 26 August 2015
The Three Lions needed to avoid defeat against a strong Turkey side to guarantee top spot.
Turkey’s semi-final place had also been confirmed before kick-off but they were looking to spoil the party and avoid a potential semi-final against reigning champions Spain.
Turkey started stronger with Emrah Ocal, the tournament’s top scorer, twice testing England keeper, Daniel James.
English had England’s first real chance after 15 minutes, cutting inside from the edge of the area before drilling his shot wide. Moments later, Owen Bainbridge scuffed an ambitious attempt wide.
Turkey broke the deadlock with five minutes of the first half remaining. English tripped Ocal in the box and substitute Hasan Satay struck home an emphatic penalty from the six-metre line. It was the first goal that England had conceded at the European Championships.
English tried to make amends and nearly equalised minutes later, forcing Ali Aktas into a fine save, before shooting wide just before half-time.
England came racing out of the blocks in the second half and equalised after 28 minutes. Satay tripped England’s top scorer, Robin Williams, and from the resulting free-kick, Turnham struck into the corner to bag his fourth goal of the tournament.
James kept the scores level with a fine save to deny Ocal, before Williams came within inches of putting England in front with a rasping shot.
England seemed the likeliest to grab another goal, but James had to be alert to keep out Satay’s long-range effort.
And with 49 seconds remaining, England grabbed the all-important winner, with English weaving through the defence before firing past Aktas to secure the win.
