Fatih Terim's second reign as Turkey boss came to an end with a comfortable, if unspectacular, 10-man victory over Group Five's basement side Armenia.

The Turks had not been expected to push group winners Spain too hard in the qualifiers but their inability to challenge Bosnia-Herzegovina for second spot - a play-off berth - led to Terim's announcement this week that he would stand down after this match.

Goals from Halil Altintop, in the 16th minute, and Servet Cerin after 28 minutes, ensured Terim's tenure would end on a positive note, but the hosts' failure to increase the margin - a pursuit not helped by Ceyhun Gulselam's first-half red card - was symptomatic of their struggles in recent times.

The match started slowly but Arda Turan was working hard to inject some life into proceedings, taking control in the 15th minute and lifting the ball to captain Tuncay Sanli.

The Stoke forward was in the six-yard box when the ball was delivered and attempted an acrobatic overhead kick which sailed over the crossbar.

Arda tested goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky seconds later with a long-range effort but he successfully deflected the ball away from danger.

It was Arda again who teed up the opener, dribbling down the left flank and reaching the byline before crossing for Altintop to head home at the near post.

Ceyhun Gulselam took on the role of creator 12 minutes later, feeding Servet in the area.

The defender rounded his man neatly before sending a shot into the top right corner of the net.

Ceyhun saw red in the 33rd minute, for a second yellow card, and Armenia almost scored from the resulting free-kick after Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel misjudged Karlen Mkrtchain's effort.

Altintop crossed for Arda before the half was out but his shot just failed to beat Berezovsky.

The next chance at either end was not until the 61st minute, Arda once more the man with the shot, which Berezovsky palmed onto the crossbar.

In the 67th minute Arman Karamian had Armenia's only meaningful effort, although his strike was cleared off the line by the alert Ismail Koybasi.

Emre's cross played in Arda for one last spectacular effort but it remained 2-0.

Teams

Turkey Demirel (Recber 90), Gonul (Nihat 58), Cetin, Koybasi,Hamit Altintop (Kazim 83), Gulselam, Akman, Belozoglu, Turan,Sanli (Kas 46), Halil Altintop.

Subs Not Used: Balta, Unal, Simsek.

Sent Off: Gulselam (33).

Booked: Gulselam.

Goals: Halil Altintop 16, Cetin 28.

Armenia Berezovsky, Hovsepyan, Arzumanyan, Mkoyan, Mkrtchyan,Goharyan (Melkonyan 53), Artavazd Karamyan, Arakelian,Mkrtchain, Arman Karamyan (Kakosyan 77), Mkhitarian.

Subs Not Used: Kasparov, Yedigarian, Pizelli, Javrouian,

Minasian.

Booked: Goharyan, Mkoyan, Arman Karamyan.

Att: 14,000