Beşiktaş loses again in Super League

ISTANBUL

Beşiktaş’s slump in the Spor Toto Super League continued on Nov. 11 in a 2-1 loss at home to lowly Sivasspor.

Nineteen-year-old forward Güven Yalçın, who started for Beşiktaş for the first time, put the home side ahead in the 11th minute, but Sivasspor leveled the game three minutes later, with David Braz and Emre Kılınç scoring the winner in the 53rd.

It was the second league loss in a row and third of the season for Beşiktaş, with the Istanbul club dropping to seventh spot in the standings.

Beşiktaş coach Şenol Güneş, who was also the target of supporters’ protests, said after the game that his side should have controlled the game better.

“We are way back in the league on the basis of points,” Güneş said.

“The way to compensate for the lost points is to work a lot and embrace our players. No player should be excluded. I believe that we have a good team and we want to straighten it up.”

The loss puts Beşiktaş nine points behind leader Başakşehir, which grabbed its eight victory of the season 2-1 at Rizespor.

Following a goalless first half, Manuel da Costa scored the first goal for the visiting side in the 52nd minute, with Riad Bajic netting the second 12 minutes later. Rizespor’s Vedat Muriqi pulled one back in the 79th.

Defending champion Galatasaray continued its pursuit of the leader with an easier-than-expected 3-0 victory at Kayserispor.

Henry Onyekuru scored a double for the Istanbul club, while the third goal came from defender Ömer Bayram.

Fenerbahçe was another happy side of Week 12, beating Alanyaspor 2-0 at home.

The home side’s goals came in the first half from Andre Ayew and Michael Frey as the Istanbul club grabbed its third win of the season and its first in the last seven league games.

Speaking after the game, Fenerbahçe’s caretaker coach Erwin Koeman said the pressure on the team has been taking its toll.

“I cannot promise anything even if I’m to stay here,” said the Dutchman, who replaced his fellow countryman Phillip Cocu.

“All I can do is work hard as I’m doing now. We must significantly improve, given where we stand in the league [standings]. Maybe tonight is the first step, we will play nine games in November and December; we must cope with it.”

Koeman said it was still too early to talk about the team’s title chances.

“We are not there yet,” he added.

Also in Week 12, Akhisarspor grabbed its first away win with a 2-1 score at Antalyaspor, Kasımpaşa continued its good form with a 2-1 victory in Bursaspor away, and Erzurumspor won precious three points in its fight against relegation at home against Göztepe.

Ankaragücü lost 2-0 at Konyaspor and Trabzonspor suffered a shock 5-0 defeat at Malatyaspor.

The league competition will continue on Nov. 23 following an international break.