Fighting for the saving grace of FIFA Under-20 World Cup qualification, Norway Under-19s and Turkey Under-19s face off in a playoff contest at Belfast's Seaview on Thursday evening.
Both sides fell short in their attempts to qualify for the knockout stages of the Under-19 European Championships, but third-placed finishes means that there is still something significant to play for.
Match preview
© Imago
Failing to emulate their magical run to the semi-finals of the 2023 Under-19 Euros - their best showing at the continental tournament to date - Norway have reverted to the teams of old with their sixth group-stage exit in seven European age-group Championships.
Pipping Italy or Ukraine to one of the top two places in Group A was always going to be a tall order after Luis Pimenta's side took just one point from their two clashes with the duo, but they were still in with a shot of qualifying before their closing contest with basement team Northern Ireland.
A double from Daniel Braut in a 2-0 success meant that Norway did their bit, but Pimenta's men also needed Italy to take at least a point off of Ukraine - which they failed to do in a 3-2 defeat - thereby condemning Norway to an agonising third-placed finish.
However, there is still one more UEFA place on offer for next year's Under-20 World Cup - Italy, Ukraine, Spain and France have already booked their spots - and victory in Belfast would see the Norwegians head to the biennial global gathering for just the fourth time.
Each of Norway's previous three runs at the Under-20 World Cup have seen the Nordic nation crash out in the group stage - an all-too familiar fate in the Under-19 Euros too - but keeping back-to-back clean sheets against Ukraine and Northern Ireland ought to serve them well at Seaview.
Like Norway, Turkey's fate had not yet been sealed before the final matchday in Group B of the Under-19 Euros, but owing to an opening loss to France and 1-1 draw with Spain, Soykan Basar's men needed a particular set of circumstances to go their way.
As well as needing to beat Denmark on Monday night, Turkey were keeping their fingers crossed for leaders France to sink second-placed Spain while also securing a two-goal swing in their favour, but the prayers of Basar's players went unanswered.
As Turkey played out an engrossing 3-3 draw with Denmark - where they came from behind once but let a one-goal lead slip on two occasions - Spain were able to hold out for a 2-2 stalemate against France, consigning Basar's men to another group-stage exit.
Taking just two points in Group B - three fewer than Spain and five below group winners France - Turkey are now without a knockout appearance at the Under-19 Euros since reaching the 2004 final, but a first Under-20 World Cup qualification since 2013, when they were the hosts, is now just 90 minutes away.
Crossing paths on just two previous occasions at Under-19 level, Turkey trumped Norway 2-1 during a 2010 Euros qualifier, but the Scandinavian nation gleaned revenge with a 3-2 friendly victory in 2013, where ex-Southampton winger Mohamed Elyounoussi was among the Norwegian starters.
- W
- D
- W
- L
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- D
- D
Team News
© Imago
Thanks to his brace in the two-goal triumph over Northern Ireland, Norway starlet Braut is currently on course for the Golden Boot with an unrivalled three strikes to his name and should start at the tip of Pimenta's attack again.
While a lack of recuperation time may mean that Pimenta ponders some alterations, the Norway boss has no need to alter his 4-1-4-1 setup from a tactical perspective, as Brann's Eivind Helland captains the side from the base of the midfield.
Turkey boss Basar sacrificed playmaker Fahri Ay at half time in the six-goal spectacular with Denmark, and even though there is no suggestion that the Besiktas playmaker picked up an injury, his spot is surely now under threat.
PSV Eindhoven winger Emir Bars and Trabzonspor attacker Poyraz Yildirim ran the show on Monday, both chipping in with a goal and assist apiece, and they will resume their effective partnership at the tip of a 4-1-3-2.
Norway Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Borsheim; Bjune, Haram, Holten, Andresen; Helland; Faraas, Hernes, Granaas, Kittilsen; Braut
Turkey Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Bayram; Bulbul, Fidan, Sarikaya, Yilmaz; Sertkaya; Gezek, Uzun, Demircan; Yildirim, Bars
We say: Norway Under-19s 1-1 Turkey Under-19s (Turkey to win on penalties)
While Turkey proved the more potent attacking force in the group stage with five efforts compared to Norway's three, Basar's men conceded three times as many goals at the Scandinavians, who only let in two strikes in 270 minutes.
Calling an outright winner in this fixture is incredibly difficult, and penalties may very well be needed to decide both teams' World Cup destiny. Given Turkey's more ruthless attacking edge in the group stage, they have our vote to punch their ticket to the 2025 tournament in Chile.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
