Fenerbahçe ends Başakşehir’s unbeaten run
ISTANBUL
Ozan Tufan scored the only goal of the match in the 28th minute to end the visiting side’s unbeaten run in the league this season.
Fenerbahçe’s Brazilian striker Fernandao failed to convert from the spot in the 74th minute, but the Yellow Canaries picked up all three points regardless.
With the victory, Fenerbahçe cut the gap with Başakşehir to four points, managing to stay in the title competition.
Second place Beşiktaş, which was to play Alanyaspor late on Jan. 23, was three points ahead of Fenerbahçe.
The Istanbul club’s city archrival, Galatasaray, leads Fenerbahçe by just one point following a disastrous 2-1 loss at Karabükspor on Jan. 21.
Fenerbahçe’s Dutch coach Dick Advocaat was content with his players’ performances, but very happy for the win.
“It was not everybody’s best game and it is very important to have won tonight,” the coach said after the game. “Most of our players performed well, some had to have given more. It was not our best game on the offensive side.”
Advocaat added that his squad still needed additional players.
“I had been saying for a time before this game that we need new transfers. I’m still of the same opinion, we need new players. We are planning upcoming games, even the upcoming season,” he added.
Başakşehir coach Abdullah Avcı, on the other hand, was not happy with the level of play on the pitch, saying games between the top teams in the league lacked quality.
“Unfortunately, the football climate does not permit good performances,” he told a post-game press conference.
“The ‘anything goes for a victory’ mentality on the pitch prevents us from developing and become successful on the European stage,” he added.
“There was toughness, but there was no game,” he said. “I apologize to the spectators for that. We were to lose a game somewhere someday, and it was here today. We will look forward to the upcoming Bursaspor game,” Avcı said.
Also on Jan. 22 in the Super League, Antalyaspor came from a goal down to score twice in the final minutes for a 2-1 victory at Osmanlıspor.
Pierre Webo put the home side ahead in the 45th minute while Antalyaspor’s M’Billa Etame levelled game in the 89th.
The Mediterranean club’s Cameroonian star Samuel Eto’o scored the winner in the dying minutes to help his side climb to fifth in the standings.
In Istanbul, Trabzonspor won its second away victory in a row by beating Kasımpaşa 1-0 thanks to a goal from Argentinian defender Emmanuel Mas in the 45th minute.
In Jan. 21’s games, Bursaspor lost 1-0 at home to Adanaspor, Konyaspor beat visiting Rizespor 2-1 and Akhisar Belediye was held to a goalless draw by Kayserispor.