New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Turkiye brought an end to their 24-year absence from the FIFA World Cup with a narrow victory over plucky Kosovo, which was sealed by an opportunistic effort from Kerem Akturkoglu.
They will now join Group D at the global finals alongside Australia, Paraguay and co-hosts USA.
Playing in front of the pouring rain at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Turkiye soon imposed their will on the proceedings with Kenan Yildiz repeatedly probing the Kosovo defence early on. The game opened up in the 27th minute when a dipping, swerving effort from Turkiye midfielder Orkun Kokcu flew just over the bar, FIFA reports.
Moments later, Kosovo almost had the breakthrough when a powerful effort from Fisnik Asllani was expertly tipped on to the crossbar by Ugurcan Cakir.
Turkiye took the lead early in the second half when Yildiz squared the ball to Kokcu, whose scuffed effort was turned into the net by the studs of Akturkoglu.
Florent Muslija struck just wide with ten minutes remaining as the visitors held on for victory to seal an emotional return to the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when they finished third
Meanwhile, Sweden edged a thriller with Poland to qualify, also claiming revenge on the Poles for their Qatar 2022 play-off final defeat.
The Swedes took the lead when a flowing move found Yasin Ayari, whose clever flick set up Elanga to thunder an effort in off the crossbar. Poland fought back, though, and got a deserved leveller after Zalewski’s low effort squirmed past Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
The contest looked to be heading into the break all square, until Lagerbielke headed Sweden back ahead from a wicked Benjamin Nygren cross.
Poland pressed after the interval and once again drew level when Matty Cash’s cross was flicked on by Jakub Kaminski to Zalewski, who squared for Swiderski to tap in. Extra time beckoned until chaos in the Poland box saw Lucas Bergvall’s effort parried to Besfort Zeneli, and while his effort struck the post, Gyokeres was there to smash home the winner.
Graham Potter’s side will join Group F at the finals, alongside Tunisia, Netherlands and Japan.
Czechia are heading back to the World Cup after a 20-year absence as Michal Sadilek settled a nerve-shredding penalty shootout against Denmark. Sadilek held his composure to convert beyond Mads Hermansen and spark scenes of delirium in Prague, with Christian Eriksen the only Danish player able to score from the spot.
Rasmus Hojlund smashed the first kick against the bar, Matej Kovar saved from Anders Dreyer, and Mathias Jensen launched his effort high over the bar and into the fans behind the goal.
The preceding 120 minutes had been no less dramatic, with Czechia twice taking the lead and Denmark twice battling back to level and take an end-to-end match to penalties.
They now take their place in World Cup Group A, where they will face Korea Republic in Guadalajara, South Africa in Atlanta, and co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City.
–IANS
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