Ireland’s chances of winning the European Amputee Football Championship 2021 in Krakow came to an end today after a 4-0 loss to reigning champions Turkey.

Goals from Rahmi Ozcan, Aslambek Shakhbulatov and a brace from Serkan Direli saw the holders progress to the semis, sending Ireland to a playoff in the progress.

Turkey wasted no time getting to work in this one. Less than five minutes in, they dispossessed Ireland from a goal kick. The ball found its’ way to Ozcan just inside the area, who found the bottom corner. A fine strike to give the Turks an early lead.

Turkey pushed throughout the remainder of the first half for a second, but couldn’t find the net. This was in part thanks to some excellent goalkeeping from James Conroy.

Just a few minutes after the opener, he denied Turkish captain Erdinc Seyhmus from close range. Right before half-time there was another big save, when Turkey attempted one from range, which he dove to his right to keep out. Ireland were still in this at the break largely thanks to him.

The favourites however got their second a few minutes after the restart. Some nice build up play that started at the back found its’ way to Shakhbulatov, who turned his marker before poking the ball past Conroy. It was a lovely bit of football that Ireland could do little about. Turkey had simply huffed and puffed before blowing the house down.

In the last five minutes the brace from Direli would put the icing on the cake. The first came from some great possession based football. Shakhbulatov turned provider, getting the ball on the left before squaring it to Direli, who had a tap in. The substitute must’ve thought his cameo had gone perfectly there and then.

Two minutes later it got even better. Turkey won a penalty off what seemed to be a handball from Stuart McEvoy. Direli stepped up and although Conroy guessed the right way, the ball still went by him. That was all she wrote on this one.

An unfortunate result for Ireland, but there’s lots to be proud of. They had a remarkable group stage and were unlucky to come up against what might be the best team in the tournament.

Ireland face Italy in a playoff tomorrow after the Azzuri lost 2-0 to Russia earlier. Turkey on the other hand, go marching on to defend their crown.