Half-Time Report: Czech Republic peg back Turkey

Despite dominating the exchanges in the first half, Turkey have been forced to head into the break level at 1-1 with the Czech Republic.

Turkey were on the front foot from the first whistle, and took an early lead in the eighth minute when Caner Erkin's inviting cross was headed home by Umut Bulut.

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It looked like the hosts would stay in control after their bright start, but were quickly pegged back by an equaliser against the run of play eight minutes later.

A Tomas Rosicky corner made the difference as his dangerous delivery found the head of Tomas Sivok, who nodded home from close range.

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Despite the setback, Turkey remained on top for long spells of the first half, and were agonisingly close to regaining the lead when Gokhan Tore fired a loose ball wide of the target.

Arda Turan was the next Turkish forward to threaten the Czech goal when he curled just over the crossbar from the edge of the box, before Erkin struck the post with his free kick just before the break.