OMNISPORT 

Oguzhan Ozyakup dealt a major blow to his country of birth's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 as Turkey consigned Netherlands to a stunning 3-0 defeat in Konya to go two points above them in Group A.

Both coaches billed Sunday's crunch clash as a battle for third place - and a play-off spot - after Netherlands were beaten at home by leaders Iceland on Thursday and Turkey could only draw with Latvia.

And it was Fatih Terim's side who rose to the occasion with the backing of a partisan crowd at the Torku Arena, as Zaandam-born former Netherlands youth international Ozyakup headed them in front early on. 

Arda Turan was the architect for Ozyakup's first international goal and the Barcelona man doubled Turkey's lead in the first half with a shot that Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen made a mess of. 

Netherlands had their chances, but were unable to mount a fightback and Burak Yilmaz added a late third goal as Danny Blind's second game in charge ended with another defeat and Turkey now in pole position to secure a play-off spot with two games to play.

Czech Republic sealed their place in next year's tournament in France by beating Latvia on Sunday, while Iceland only need a point again Kazakhstan later in the day to qualify. 

Robin van Persie returned to the Netherlands starting line-up as captain with Arjen Robben (thigh) ruled out, while teenage Ajax defender Jairo Riedewald made his international debut.

Sener Ozbayrakli and Ozyakup were recalled by Terim and the latter needed only eight minutes to open the scoring on his first Turkey start for almost a year.

The Besiktas midfielder exchanged passes with Turan before surging clear all too easily and dinking the ball over the advancing Cillessen with a fine finish.

Things just got even Arda for Netherlands