Qantas Joeys lose to last minute goal by Turkey

The Australian U17 team, the Qantas Joeys, produced a much improved performance but lost 2-1 to Turkey in the second of a two-game series overnight (AEST) at Canakkale Stadium.

The Australian U17 team, the Qantas Joeys, produced a much improved performance but lost 2-1 to Turkey in the second of a two-game series overnight (AEST) at Canakkale Stadium.

A stoppage time goal from Turkey prevented the Qantas Joeys from earning a deserved draw, consigning the team to their second loss after going down 1-0 two days earlier.

Australia-s Kerem Bulut opened the scoring before a double from Turkish substitute Artun Akcakin to leave the Qantas Joeys shattered.

The Australian Institute of Sport / Qantas Joeys coach, Jan Versleijen, made four changes from the side that took the park on Friday with keeper Robert Kolak, central defender Samuel Gallaway, left back Curtis Good and winger Patrick Dixon replacing Aaron Lennox, Daniel Petkovski, Damir Lokvancic and injured Stephen Domenici.

Versatile Mustafa Amini also switched from defence to midfield and it paid dividends, as he set up numerous chances for Bulut.

The first was after 17 minutes when Amini-s clever pass released Bulut, who shot at the keeper after the Turkish defence closed him quickly.

Kolak was called into action several times, including the 35th minute when he had to tip Guney Gurbuz-s header over the bar.

Bulut had another chance in the first half, but he didn-t find the net until early in the second half when captain Jared Lum made a brilliant run and cross, leaving the striker with a simple tap in.

Bulut almost sealed the game in the 62nd minute when he volleyed Amini-s brilliant cross on to the crossbar.

As happens against top notch opposition, the Qantas Joeys were made to pay, with Artun equalising a minute later when he beat the offside trap.

He then scored the winner after latching on to a through ball and beating Kolak on the second attempt after the ball rebounded off the post.

Versleijen said the two-match series against a strong Turkish opposition was highly beneficial for the squad.

“The Turkey trip has been a great experience for the players on and off the field, being involved in all of the events surrounding Anzac Day as well as the games,-- Versleijen said.

“We learnt a lot in these two games. Of course you want to win, but I was happy with the progress we made, we learnt a lot from the first game and we had some good chances in both halves.

“But Turkey scored two goals, both from our mistakes and that-s part of international football, there is some mistakes you can-t make - it was also a pity they scored in the dying seconds of the game.

“We have to work hard on communication in the team, as well as basic technique and anticipation. When you are playing at a lower level you don-t need this anticipation, but at a higher level you need to think one or two steps ahead.--

This rounds off the two-game series, scheduled to coincide with ANZAC Day and National Sovereignty and Children-s Day (23 April) for Turkey.

The Qantas Joeys will now conclude their tour in Italy where they will play three more games against club sides, including one against an AC Milan youth side. The Qantas Joeys tour to Italy and Turkey is funded by the Australian Institute of Sport.

Match Details: Qantas Joeys (U-17) 1 (Kerem BULUT ‘48) Turkey (U-17) 1 (Artun Akcakin -63, ‘81) * Game was 80 minutes (2 x 40 minute halves)

Sunday 26 April, 2009 Canakkale Stadium, Canakkale Referee: Ayberk Altunay Assistant Referees: Erman Yardimci, Cuneyt Caliskan Crowd: 1000 (approx)

Qantas Joeys (U-17) line-up: 1. Robert KOLAK (gk), 2. Nikola STANOJEVIC, 11. Curtis GOOD, 4. Trent SAINSBURY, 16. Samuel GALLAWAY, 6. Jared LUM, 7. Christopher BUSH, 8. Ersin KAYA (17. John MARTINOVSKI -73), 15. Patrick DIXON (14. Kevin DAVIDSON ‘73), 5. Mustafa AMINI, 9. Kerem BULUT. Unused substitutes: 12. Aaron LENNOX (gk), 3. Jason GERIA, 10 Damir LOKVANCIC, 13. Eli BABALJ, 18. Lawrence THOMAS, 19. Scott MELLISH, 20. Alexander MEIBUSCH.

Yellows Cards: Kerem Bulut ‘49 Red Cards: Nil

Turkey Under 17 line-up: 1. Alican CANDEMIR (12. Huseyin GUNU ‘41), 18. Oguzhan AZGAR (2. Erhan KARTAL ‘41), 17. Mayir AYDIN (3. Hakan YUCE), 5. Suleyman OZDAMAR, 15. Atinc NUKAN, 6. Bilal GULDEN, 19. Melih VARDAR (9. Artun AKCAKIN -41), 14. Guney GURBUZ (10. Mehmet TOPCU -41) 16. Hasan TURK (11. Emre PEHLIVAN -41) 13. Cagri TEKIN, 20. Ilker SAYAN. Unused substitutes:, 14. Guney GURBUZ, 4. Efsan GECGIN, 7. Ufuk OZBEK, 8. Guven GURSOY.

Yellows Cards: Nil Red Cards: Nil

QANTAS JOEYS (U-17) SQUAD

Christophe Bush (ACT/AIS), Stephen Domenici (ACT/AIS), Jason Geria (ACT/AIS), Alexander Meibusch (ACT/AIS), Mustafa Amini (NSW/AIS), Kerem Bulut (NSW/AIS), Kevin Davison (NSW/AIS), Patrick Dixon (NSW/AIS), Samuel Gallaway (NSW/AIS), Robert Kolak (NSW/AIS), Aaron Lennox (NSW/AIS), Jared Lum (NSW/AIS), John Martinoski (NSW/AIS), Aaron Peterson (NSW/AIS), Daniel Petkovski (NSW/AIS), Nikola Stanojevic (NSW/AIS), Lawrence Thomas (NSW/AIS), Curtis Good (VIC/AIS), Ersin Kaya (VIC/AIS), Damir Lokvancic (VIC/AIS), Eli Babalj (WA/AIS), Scott Mellish (WA/AIS), Trent Sainsbury (WA/AIS)