Hungary’s women suffer defeat in Turkey

Edina Markó’s team may have beaten Turkey at the Groupama Aréna last autumn but they were made to work every inch of the way for the three points. With Turkey having already managed to hold Russia to a draw at home the match in Antalya had been viewed as a potential banana skin for Hungary, and it didn’t take long for this to come to pass. Turkey took the lead in the fourth minute, Ece Türkoğlu scoring from distance and the goal visibly rocked a Hungary side which struggled to find its rhythm. The home side doubled their lead in the 27th minute, Evelin Mosdóczi putting through her own net, and it could have got worse for Markó’s side, Turkey hitting the woodwork not long after.

Hungary did begin to get their house in order as the half wore to a close, reducing the deficit in the 40th minute as Zsanett Jakabfi received a pass from Fanny Vágó in the box before scoring at the near post. Hungary dominated proceedings in the second half but couldn’t turn their superiority into goals, hitting the woodwork being as close as they got. A late rally saw Hungary create a number of goalscoring opportunities but the finishing continued to be lacklustre as Turkey held on to win the match 2-1.