Galatasaray slump continues with draw

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

The Galatasaray vs Antalyaspor match at the Türk Telekom Arena in Istanbul was played under heavy snowfall. DHA photo

Spor Toto Super League leader Galatasaray’s poor streak continues as the team was held to a 1-1 draw against Medical Park Antalyaspor on Feb. 1.

Galatasaray remained on top of the league despite the draw, but it gave Fenerbahçe the chance to draw level on points with the leader. Fenerbahçe was playing against Samsunspor yesterday and the game was still in progress when the Hürriyet Daily News went to press.

The draw means Galatasaray has won only once in its last four games after its record nine match winning streak came to an end.

Emrah Başsan gave Antalyaspor the lead in the 21st minute, with Galatasaray equalizing 14 minutes later thanks to a penalty by Felipe Melo.

Galatasaray was left with 10 men in the remaining 18 minutes after Czech forward Milan Baros was sent off for harshly criticizing a decision by referee İlker Meral.

The referee also showed a red card to Antalyaspor’s İbrahim Dağaşan in the last minute of the match.
“I would be sad if we had drawn with 11 men,” Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim said. “Baros was sent off just as we were finding some goal chances. But with 10 men, getting one point is not a failure.”

Along with Sivasspor and Manisaspor, Galatasaray has the league’s worst discipline with a total of six red cards. Terim criticized himself for that. “We are left depleted in many games. Discipline is the focus in teams that I am coaching,” Terim said. “So how does that happen? It must be my fault.”

In another game on Feb. 1, a rare double by defender Giray Kaçar helped Trabzonspor to a 2-1 victory over Bursaspor.

Orduspor, managed by famous Argentinean coach Hector Cuper, beat Ankaragücü 2-0 to rise to 10th spot in the league. The Istanbul BB vs. Kardemir Karabükspor game was postponed due to heavy snowfall in Istanbul.