Southampton University journalism student Alp Ayhan, who has loyalties to both England and Turkey, was at Saturday's match. This is his report ...

Drugs, rape, violence, injuries and supporter bans were put to one side for 90 minutes as the spotlight shone on Turkey and England players for this crunch Euro2004 qualifier.

I was there, in the stands, in "no Englishman's land".

As little as ten days before the game my predictions were completely different. I didn't think one team had a great advantage over the other, but the rape allegations, and in particular the Rio Ferdinand scandal, would surely affect the England camp. So I thought.

When the boycott rumours came about that was it for me. Beckham and company were obviously not concentrating on the game with only a day-and-a-half before the trip to Istanbul.

It baffled me as to how internationals could jeopardise their own country's qualification for such a major tournament, as well as threaten a large suspension from any international competition, just because one of their mates didn't turn up for a drugs test. They said they're sticking together, but what for?

Surely it should be the "three lions on the shirt" that's the most important thing. Ferdinand is at fault but the players claimed the FA was somehow to blame for him being dropped. I still can't accept that.

Whilst the papers were rightly slating England, Turkey were having the ideal preparation for a big game, training hard and relaxing with a picnic in the woods, speaking of settling the scorewith England.

On top of that, Pierluigi Collina's announcement as the new referee for the game was accepted in jubilation by Turkey. Not one Turkish team had lost with the fierce Italian as the ref.

I'm half Turkish, half English, which made it possible for me to enter Turkey and in particular the Fenerbahe kr Saracolu Stadium. Right by the check-in desk at Gatwick Airport, there were around ten policemen looking out for suspect English troublemakers. This game obviously carried a different meaning for Turks living in England and many were travelling to Istanbul just like me. But a couple of 15 year-old Turks looked so English with their baseball caps and tracksuit bottoms that they were questioned by officers before they checked in. Security was tight, at both ends.

Arriving in Istanbul, there were six passport control booths dedicated to British citizens, each with a list of recognised hooligans, sent by the English authorities.

I had a ticket for the cheapest stand, so I was there at six hours before kick-off to start queuing for a good seat.

The atmosphere was great. People were enjoying

themselves on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I didn't see a single English fan before the game, but speaking a couple of ITN reporters I was told some were lurking about disguised as Turkey fans.

There wasn't a single ugly scene to be witnessed, but who knows what could have happened if England fans turned up. I later learned that some tried their luck but failed to show any Turkish ID upon entrance. A Turkey shirt on your back wasn't enough.

On the pitch, I was expecting England to be stressed and lacking in concentration while Turkey pile the pressure. With Owen out, England had lost their biggest weapon for this game. If the Liverpool striker was fit he would have been the ideal match-winner for the counter attacking England.

It was obvious right from the start that England had put things behind them.

The players were calm and collective, aware of the danger Turkey possesses.

Turkey was inconsistent and stressed. The fans were disappointed to see so many misplaced passes and hopeful long balls against a defence that's unbeatable in the air. The home side were ineffective tactically.

Sven-Goran Eriksson got his tactics right though. England already had a points advantage, a draw was enough, and so counter attack football with a solid defence was ideal.

By no means did England play for the draw. Counter attacking still means you're trying to score. A chance to do just that came through a penalty though, for a foul on the excellent Gerrard. We all know what happened. Turkey were disappointing, but the players aren't to blame. The game may have ended in a draw, but Eriksson won the tactical battle and England can now book their flight to Portugal.