Muhammet treble ensures Turkey down FYROM

Muhammet Demir struck a 26-minute hat-trick to earn UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite round Group 7 hosts Turkey a comeback victory.

Fahrudin Gjurgjević's superb strike gave the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia a hat-trick lead but then Muhammet – who was part of the Turkey squad that reached the 2008 European U17 semi-finals here in Antalya – got going. Goals on 59, 64 and 85 minutes turned the game and sends Turkey into Thursday's fixture with Hungary in good spirits.

FYROM, in the elite round for the first time in five years, were ahead on 16 minutes thanks to Gjurgjević but were soon under pressure. Andreja Efremov did well to keep out Nadir Çiftçi's strong shot and Hristijan Dragarski provided a vital clearance and the Turkey No11 came close again late in the half.

Four minutes into the second half Muhammet chipped over Efremov but also the bar, and soon after the goalkeeper brilliantly denied the striker. Just before the hour, though, Efremov could only parry a Nadir effort and Muhammet pounced on the rebound to equalise.

Turkey were ahead five minutes later through Muhammet's long-range strike and the Gaziantepspor forward turned in Kamil Ahmet Cörekçi's cross from the right to complete his treble. To make matters worse for FYROM., Dragarski was sent off at the end, ruling him out on Thursday when they take on a Germany side who beat Hungary 3-0 here earlier.