- Neco Williams put the hosts ahead after seven minutes with a curling effort
- In the first half, substitute Yusuf Yazici equalized with a penalty after halftime
- It’s the world against Everton – it could encourage the players to stay up – IAKO
For 36 minutes, Wales’ dream of qualifying for a third major tournament in a row was tantalizingly close.
Rob Page’s team had taken an early lead against Turkey through Neco Williams and while Croatia were still drawing 0-0 at home to Armenia, Wales were in second place and on course for a place at next summer’s European Championship .
But when the crowd in Cardiff heard that Ante Budimir had given Croatia the lead in the 43rd minute, the bubble burst. Although Wales played well, the fire did not burn as brightly in the second half and Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir made saves when it mattered before substitute Yusuf Yazici equalized from the penalty spot with 20 minutes to go. That was doubly annoying for Wales, who should have taken at least one penalty in the first half.
Croatia will automatically advance to the final in Germany with Turkey and Wales will go to the play-offs next March. The first of those matches will be at home against Iceland, Finland or Ukraine, with the winner taking on Poland or Estonia at a location to be determined.
So disappointing in the 1-1 draw in Armenia, Wales have a different proposition at home and against a Turkish side that seemed to lack motivation, they had the perfect platform.
Neco Williams got the Dragons off to a perfect start with a goal after just seven minutes
Yusu Yazici, who was not on the bench in the first half, equalized from the spot to secure a draw for Turkey
With Wales drawing 1-1 in Cardiff and Croatia winning in Zagreb, the hosts head for the play-offs
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Nathan Broadhead was sent into the starting XI by Page and the Ipswich striker made an almost immediate impact as he cut inside from the left and fired just wide.
Then, from a similar position, Williams put Wales ahead in the seventh minute. After a clever combination between Jordan James and Harry Wilson, the man from Nottingham Forest drove past Ferdi Kadioglu’s weak challenge and guided his effort into the far corner. The crowd in Cardiff cheered with joy and Page also celebrated wildly.
Just as they had been for much of the win over Croatia last month, Wales were dominant. They were quicker on the ball and sharper in their movements than Turkey, with 19-year-old James controlling the game brilliantly in midfield.
Brennan Johnson was shown a yellow card for obstructing Abdulkerim Bardakci’s free-kick, with the Tottenham man extremely unhappy not to be awarded at least one penalty.
Nothing was given in the 26th minute as Samet Akaydin tumbled Johnson with a sliding challenge, and referee Matej Jug remained unmoved four minutes later even as Akaydin pushed Johnson to the ground and made no contact with the ball.
Shortly after the half hour, Turkey made two changes as their injured goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir was replaced by Altay Bayindir and Yusuf Yazici came on for Albdulkadir Omur.
Although Wales were in command, Turkey showed their threat when star player Kerem Akturkoglu volleyed high and wide from a decent position at the far post. But Wales were still dangerous and Bayindir did well to keep out Johnson’s deflected attack. By this time, tempers in Cardiff had calmed a bit when they heard that Croatia had taken the lead against Armenia.
United’s number two made another eye-catching intervention early in the second half when Johnson tested him with an angled drive.
Williams’ opener came after a neat combination between Jordan James and Harry Wilson, before the Nottingham Forest star curled in from the edge of the penalty area
Danny Ward was sent the wrong way by Turkey captain Yazici’s penalty before making a point-blank save later in the match
Tense scenes greeted the end of the match after a hard-fought encounter in the Welsh capital
Wales came close at the end of the match as they picked themselves up after a draw
Danny Ward had had a quiet evening in the Wales goal but concentrated well to parry Akaydin’s point-blank header before Ethan Ampadu at the other end sent Wilson’s cross too close to Bayindir.
Then Wilson got in the way of Johnson’s effort from the edge of the area and that chance was also lost.
Page already pointed out that his team had not been awarded a penalty in the first half and he reached boiling point when Turkey earned one after a much milder challenge from Ben Davies on substitute Kenan Yildiz. Yazici sent Ward the wrong way from the spot and Wales had to settle for the play-offs.
To make matters worse, Connor Roberts was shown a yellow card after the final whistle when both groups of players briefly scuffled with coaches and substitutes.
Manchester United’s summer signing Altay Bayindir came off the bench in the first half
Rob Page must have been disappointed because his team did not get their own penalty
