portugal get just reward against turkey published: monday 6 october 2003, 10.50cet
once again a joy to watch, portugal required the intervention of defender fernando couto to go top of group d and condemn turkey to an early exit.
less fluent than in their opening fixture, portugal nevertheless picked up their first victory of the tournament to climb to the group d summit and condemn turkey to an early exit.
antónio oliveira's team were hugely impressive against denmark but held to a 1-1 draw that did not do justice to their dominance. though not in quite as ebullient form this time around, their approach play remained a joy to watch – even if their cutting edge in the final third once again betrayed their splendid work in midfield. it was left to a defender, fernando couto – once again unyielding in his day job – to earn the three points with a 66th-minute volley.
despite being overshadowed by their opponents' splendid form, turkey showed flashes of their own; lacking subtlety in the final third, though, their forwards were left to feed on scraps. even hakan şükür, prolific in qualifying, lacked sharpness in front of goal and hastily shot wide in the first half having been taken by surprise after the ball landed at his feet.
sá pinto clipped wide when presented with portugal's first clear-cut opening, but his team had at that point seized the initiative. couto did the damage midway through the second half when a short corner was deflected his way and he volleyed low and hard through a crowd of players and past turkey goalkeeper rüştü reçber.
