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Cech: match sums up my season

The manner of Czech Republic's 3-2 defeat to Turkey sums up Peter Cech's year, according to the Chelsea goalkeeper
The manner of Czech Republic's 3-2 defeat to Turkey sums up Peter Cech's year, according to the Chelsea goalkeeper

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said Sunday night's shock 3-2 defeat by come-back kings Turkey summed up his unlucky season after missing out on three titles with the Blues.

Having seen Chelsea lose the Champions League final in Moscow  last month, as well as miss out on both the English League Cup and  the Premier League titles in 2008, Cech said the Turkish defeat here added to his unlucky season.

'That game really sums up my season, especially after losing out  on three trophies for Chelsea in the final games,' said Cech.

The shot-stopper admitted his side were devastated by their Euro 2008 exit and he was partly to blame as a 2-0 advantage slipped as Turkey reached the quarter-finals at the Czech Republic's expense.

Karel Bruckner's team were cruising into the last eight with 15  minutes left thanks to goals by striker Jan Koller and winger  Jaroslav Plasil.

But Turkey began the fight-back thanks to Arda Turan's low drive  on 75 minutes and when Cech fumbled a high cross, Turkey Nihat  Kahveci pounced on the effor to equalise three minutes from time.

And the Villarreal forward completed the greatest of escapes  when he galloped clear to send Turkey through with a spectacular finish on 89 minutes to break Czech hearts.

'We came so close, but blew it in the end,' said Cech.

'We are absolutely devastated. It's hard to believe what just happened, we felt we were in  control of the game.

'Jan Koller gave us the lead and when we went two goals up  there did not seem any way back for Turkey.

'However, they got the first and their tails seemed to go up and  then I made a mistake for the second and suddenly they were back in  the game.

'At least at that point it seemed like penalties and we were  still in with a chance, but then Nihat broke clear and scored an  incredible goal. I had no chance.'

And Cech blamed the slippery ball in wet conditions at the Stade  de Geneve for his error which led to the second goal.

'It's just one of those things,' he said.

'Everybody makes mistakes and I am a human being. I tried my best but there was a lot of water on the ball and it  slipped from my grasp.'

The Czech's defeat was also the last game in charge for veteran  coach Bruckner and striker Jan Koller, who scored his 55th  international goal while winning his 90th cap on Sunday.

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