Fenerbahçe ousted from Turkish Cup by second-tier minnows Fethiyespor

ISTANBUL

Fethiyespor enters Turkey's football map after ousting Fenerbahçe from the Turkish cup. AA photo

Fenerbahçe suffered an unexpected 2-1 reverse in their Turkish Cup game at their home Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium against first division minnows of Fethiyespor on Dec. 4. With the result, the double title-holders fall as they had entered the competition in the fourth round stage.
 
The club of the Mediterranean resort town of Fethiye, cherished by European expats and tourists, which made it to the Turkish second-tier for the first time in its history, succeeded in giving a hard time to the Turkish Super League’s much in-form leaders.
 
The Yellow Canaries managed to open the score in injury time during the first half following an own goal by Sabri Turgut.
 
Much against the odds, however, the visitors equalized with Onur Okan’s header in the 77th minute, and even found a second goal six minutes later when Ahmet Aras sent the ball home with a powerful shot.
 
The goal turned Fethiye’s local newspapers’ waggish joke that their team had never lost at the Şükrğü Saraçoğlu stadium for 106 years – as it was playing there for the first time since Fenerbahçe was founded in 1907 - into reality.
 
More surprises were in store as Trabzonspor, who played on Dec. 4, were also ousted by first division rivals Balıkesirspor. Gençlerbirliği and Gaziantepspor were both beaten by second division clubs, Nazilli Belediyespor and İnegölspor respectively.

On Dec. 3, archrivals Galatasaray sweat blood to ultimately eliminate another second-tier club, Gaziantep’s municipality run GBB in the penalties after the regular time ended with a 2-2 draw.