November 15, 2006

BERGAMO, Italy (AFP) – Marco Materazzi's own goal gave Turkey a prestigious 1-1 draw against world champions Italy in a fiercely contested friendly in Bergamo.

Antonio Di Natale put an experimental Italy side ahead in the 39th minute after a terrible blunder by Turkey keeper Volkan Demirel.

But Italy's joy lasted just three minutes as Materazzi put through his own net when trying to cut out a cross.

Chances were few and far between in an evenly-balanced second half and Turkey held on to earn a highly respectable draw against the world-beating Azzurri.

The friendly was arranged in honour of the late Giacinto Facchetti, the Bergamo-born former Inter Milan and Italy defender who passed away earlier this year.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni admitted his side were given a run for their money by the tenacious Turks.

"Turkey are a good side and they didn't allow us to play," he told RAI television.

"There weren't many chances, but I thought that we did enough to win.

"I can take some positives. We showed the right spirit and battled hard."

Donadoni handed midfielder Christian Brocchi his international debut, reward for his sparkling performances for AC Milan this season.

The hosts were the first to threaten, Alberto Gilardino's crisp volley tipped over the bar by Rustu Recber.

Recber landed awkwardly after making a punched clearance in the ninth minute and was replaced by Fenerbahce team-mate Volkan Demirel.

Demirel was quickly called upon, saving Di Natale's shot from the edge of the 18-yard box.

However, Demirel was to blame for giving Italy the lead in farcical circumstances six minutes before half time.

The substitute keeper's poorly-directed drop-kick struck Italy striker Alberto Gilardino on the back of the leg, and the ball fell at Di Natale's feet. The Udinese striker couldn't believe his luck and gratefully side-footed into the net before Demirel could recover.

Semi-finalists at the 2002 World Cup, Turkey equalised three minutes later thanks to an equally generous gift.

Ibrahim Uzulmez broke into the box with a purposeful run and his low cross was turned into the net by Materazzi's outstretched leg.

Gilardino came close to restoring Italy's lead in the final minute of the first half, but his chip from a tight angled curled wide of the post.

Alberto Aquilani came on at the start of the second half to make his Italy debut, one of several changes made by Donadoni.

But the Roma midfielder's introduction made little impact and Turkey enjoyed more possession than Italy in the second half without breaching the Azzurri's well organized backline.

The 1-1 result was the same as it was when they last met four years ago in a friendly held in Pescara.

Italy have never lost to Turkey in 10 meetings, winning seven and drawing three.