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Turkey starts Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with win over Albania

Anadolu Agency SPORTS
Published March 23,2019
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Turkey's forward Burak Yılmaz celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between Albania and Turkey at Loro Borici stadium, in Shkoder, Albania, Friday, March 22, 2019. (AP Photo)

Turkey comfortably beat Albania 2-0 away from home at the start of 2020 European Championship qualifying Friday.

Burak Yılmaz gave the visitors an early lead as he scored the opening goal at the 21st minute. Hakan Çalhanoğlu scored an insurance goal at the start of the second half in the 55th minute.

Turkey is in Group H with France, Iceland, Albania, Moldova and Andorra.

Beşiktaş coach Şenol Güneş led Turkey against Albania before officially taking charge of the team starting June 1.

After the match, Güneş and team captain Emre Belözoğlu received congratulatory calls from Ankara, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offering his congratulations for the national team's Euro 2020 qualifiers triumph.

On March 25, Turkey will play against Moldova at home in Eskişehir in the second group matches.

The winner and runner-up from 10 groups each will automatically qualify for the UEFA Euro 2020 final tournament.

The Euro 2020 qualifiers will determine 20 teams while four others will qualify from the UEFA Nations League playoffs in March 2020.