[monks data]

European Championship | Qualifiers

Oct 10, 2014 at 7.45pm UK

Turkey
1-2
Czech Republic

Bulut (8')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Sivok (16'), Dockal (58')

HT Report

Match Report

Football

Half-Time Report: Czech Republic peg back Turkey

By Callum Mulvihill, Reporter

Published: October 10 2014 | 20:31

Last updated: October 11 2014 | 23:07

Tomas Sivok cancels out Umut Bulut's opener as Czech Republic head into the break level on 1-1 with Turkey.

Despite dominating the exchanges in the first half, Turkey have been forced to head into the break level at 1-1 with the Czech Republic.

Turkey were on the front foot from the first whistle, and took an early lead in the eighth minute when Caner Erkin's inviting cross was headed home by Umut Bulut.

Czech Republic's Tomas Sivok celebrates with teammmates after scoring against Turkey during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group A qualifying football match Turkey vs Czech Republic on October 10, 2014 © Getty Images

It looked like the hosts would stay in control after their bright start, but were quickly pegged back by an equaliser against the run of play eight minutes later.

A Tomas Rosicky corner made the difference as his dangerous delivery found the head of Tomas Sivok, who nodded home from close range.

Turkey's forward Umut Bulut celebrates with teammates after scoring against Czech Republic during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group A qualifying football match between Turkey and Czech Republic on October 10, 2014 © Getty Images

Despite the setback, Turkey remained on top for long spells of the first half, and were agonisingly close to regaining the lead when Gokhan Tore fired a loose ball wide of the target.

Arda Turan was the next Turkish forward to threaten the Czech goal when he curled just over the crossbar from the edge of the box, before Erkin struck the post with his free kick just before the break.