Turkey ease to four-goal Malta victory

Turkey kick-started their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a resounding 4-0 win against Malta.

Abdullah Ercan's men had lost 3-1 in Poland last month in their opening Group 7 fixture but quickly started to make amends in Istanbul, Ömer Ali Şahiner on target twice before the break and Kerim Koyunlu adding a third. Substitute Enes Ünal rounded off the scoring in the second period.

Sezer Özmen almost provided an early breakthrough when he rattled the crossbar, but it was Ömer who struck first on 26 minutes when he collected Musa Çağıran's pass, beat a defender and slotted in.

The second arrived on 40 minutes as Ömer wrong-footed Jurgen Borg by diverting Emrah Başsan's long-range effort away from the goalkeeper. The game was all but settled a minute before the break when Kamil Çörekçi's cross was headed in by Kerim.

Raymond Farrugia's charges were more compact after half-time, with Emrah blazing a presentable Turkey chance over, although they were breached again 18 minutes from time. Kamil was again the provider as he slalomed to the byline before picking out Enes, the substitute volleying in only two minutes after his introduction.

Turkey host Sweden in five days' time while Malta – without a point after two away matches – are on their travels again as they head to Greece.