Turkey's ‘do or die' match against Latvia
Konya's 42.000 capacity brand new Torku Arena Stadium which is the first in many aspects, will host Latvia and the Netherlands national teams.

Sitting in fourth with eight points in Group A, Turkey play a critical game against Latvia in the Euro 2016 qualifications today. If Turkey cannot beat Latvia and the Netherlands on Sunday, they will not have a chance of making it to the finals



UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying is entering its final stretch with just four sets of games to go over the next two months. Turkey will take on Latvia in Konya today before hosting the Netherlands three days later in their Euro 2016 Championship qualifying matches. The match will begin at Konya Torku Arena stadium at 21.45 pm. Swedish referee Stefan Johannesson will supervise the match with his assistants Fredrik Nilsson and Magnus Sjöblom. The match against Latvia comes at a very critical juncture ahead of the Netherlands challenge. Turkey, who can't afford to lose more points, are looking to build morale by defeating Latvia. In Group A, Iceland are leaders with 15 points, followed by the Czech Republic with 13 points. The Netherlands are in third place with 10 points and Turkey are fourth with eight points. Latvia are ranked fifth with three points and Kazakhstan are in the deep with only one point. In the other matches today, the Czech Republic will host Kazakhstan and the Netherlands take on Iceland. Iceland beat the Czech Republic in June to go top and remain on course for a maiden qualification, indeed could conceivably clinch it with two victories this week. The groups conclude with September and October double-headers. The nine group winners, the nine group runners-up and the best third-placed side will qualify directly for the final tournament in France. The eight remaining third-placed teams will contest play-offs in November to determine the last four qualifiers for the finals. In the FIFA's world ranking, Turkey are ranked 45th, Latvia 86th. Turkey's coach Fatih Terim said in a press conference ahead of the match: "The match against Latvia has enormous importance strategically. We aim for both three points and to boost our morale before the Netherlands match. And we have the power to do it."I have a big confidence in my footballers and fans. We have prepared very well for this match. This is is a 'do or die' game and I believe that both our footballers and our fans will be able to carry out their responsibilities.""We have chosen Konya for the two important games. Because we trust the fans in Konya. I'm sure they will ebulliently support our national team. We will spend all our energy on the pitch and take the rival seriously. We are stronger together." In Group B, Wales defeated Belgium in June to go three points clear, with Israel and Cyprus another two points further back and Bosnia and Herzegovina one more adrift. Mathematically any of the top five could lead by this time next week, or Wales could be qualified. Only Andorra have scored fewer goals than Wales in the group.In Group C, Slovakia are assured of a top-three finish and, in effect, play the second leg of their tie with Spain on Saturday; two wins this week would book qualification. In Group D, Poland defend their one-point lead in Germany, who meet both their main rivals for first place over the next week. In Group E, England have secured a top-three finish with a 100 percent record so far. In Group F, Romania lead Northern Ireland by a point with Hungary two further back in a group full of upsets. In Group G, having won in Russia in June, Austria lead Sweden by four points; two wins would clinch their qualification for the first time. In Group H, after a one-point deduction subject to appeal, pacesetters Croatia are one clear of Italy, with the Azzurri two above Norway and four in front of Bulgaria. In the sole five-team group I, Portugal are certain of a top-three finish, being two points superior to both Denmark and Albania (who have a game in hand) and comfortably clear of Armenia and Serbia, the only nation who cannot mathematically qualify. It is Portugal's turn to miss Friday's qualifiers - they face France in a friendly - so their lead could be wiped out. After welcoming Albania next Monday, Portugal welcome Denmark to Braga on Oct. 8.