Beşiktaş top league standings in winter break

ISTANBUL

AA Photo

Beşiktaş was crowned the winter champion in the Turkish Super League as the first half of the title race concluded over the weekend, with city rival Galatasaray struggling to stay in the race.

The Black Eagles beat Torku Konyaspor 4-0 at home with all goals coming in the second half on Dec. 27, while a dismal Galatasaray was held to a 1-1 draw at Kayserispor.

Beşiktaş finished the first half atop the standings with 41 points, trailed by Fenerbahçe at 37, which was to play Sivasspor at home late on Dec. 28. Galatasaray follows in third spot with a mere 30 points.

“We played in the last game of the first half of the season and the year, and we finished on a high note,” Beşiktaş coach Şenol Güneş told a post-game press conference. 

Beşiktaş’s German striker Mario Gomez was on the score sheet again against Konyaspor, increasing his league goal tally to 13. He is the top scorer in the league along with Antalyaspor’s Samuel Eto’o.

“We were the better side tonight, but we have 17 more games to go,” Gomez, who joined the club on loan for one season last summer, said after the game. 

We have to increase our performances, but still we have a great chance to win the title,” he added.
When asked about his future at the Istanbul club, Gomez said it was too early to talk.

“I enjoy playing here,” said Gomez. “I’m a part of the team and I do not think about what will happen next summer. My aim is to lift the league trophy with Beşiktaş and be a part of the German squad at the Euro 2016 finals.” 

Galatasaray coach Mustafa Denizli, meanwhile, acknowledged that his team was not even close to winning against Kayseri.

“Under current conditions, one point is better than nothing,” he said. “We will make some changes for the second half of the season and try to stay in the title race.”

Also in the last week of the first half of the Super League, Bursaspor won 2-1 against Mersin İdmanyurdu on Dec. 27 in what was set to be its last game at Atatürk Stadium.

The club’s new home was officially opened last week by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Elsewhere, Çaykur Rizespor beat 10-man Başakşehir 2-1, Trabzonspor was held to a 1-1 draw at Kasımpaşa, while there were no goals between Antalyaspor and Gaziantepspor as well as between Akhisar Belediye and Osmanlıspor.

The second half of the league will kick off on Jan. 16.