Turkey deny Swiss to stay in touch

Switzerland missed the chance to become the first team to qualify for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs after losing 2-0 at home to Turkey.

A draw would have been enough for the home side to confirm top spot in qualifying round Group 2, but Turkey are just three points behind Switzerland with two games to play, reclaimed second place from Estonia with this victory in St Gallen. They needed this result having lost 1-0 in Estonia on Saturday.

Both goals came after the break in a tight match played in heavy rain where there were ten bookings and a late red card for Switzerland's Mario Gavranovic. Switzerland had high hopes with the debut up front of FIFA U-17 World Cup winner Nassim Ben Khalifa but Turkey, who had been beaten 3-1 at home by their opponents in November, took the lead midway through the second half when François Affolter turned a cross from the visitors' right into his own net.

The match was still in the balance when substitute Gavranovic was dismissed in the 83rd minute for a foul on Orhan Gülle, but Turkey put the result beyond doubt in the final 60 seconds of normal time, replacement Özgür Çek grabbing the clinching goal after a swift break. However, Switzerland would clinch a play-off place if they win in Georgia on Sunday or defeat the Republic of Ireland on 3 September. Turkey face Georgia and Ireland in September.