Searching for 3 Galatasaray fans in Bursa

BURSA

Only three Galatasaray fans turned up to their team’s Ziraat Turkish Cup game at Bursaspor, after the home club charged 800 Turkish liras ($375) for visiting fans. Galatasaray players saluted the three fans after every goal. AA photo

Galatasaray is looking for its three away fans that have witnessed the club’s 5-2 victory at Bursaspor on April 16, when the Istanbul team managed a passage to the Ziraat Turkish Cup final.

The Lions staged a memorable comeback from a two-goal defeat by hitting the Crocs with five goals, but only three Galatasaray fans were there to witness it.

“Galatasaray Sports Club wants to honor its three fans that came against all odds to be placed in the away stands in the Turkish Cup semifinal game against Bursaspor,” read a statement on the website, only hours after the final whistle. The club called on the three fans to contact the club via its social media accounts, and show their tickets.

The main reason the turnout to the away end was so low was the ticket prices: Bursaspor charged 800 Turkish liras ($375) for visiting fans.

During the game, which was a return match of a 2-2 draw in Istanbul last month, players went to the away stands and saluted the three fans after every goal. 

Bursaspor looked all but certain to go through after two goals from its Brazilian forward Fernandao, but a Wesley Sneijder goal in the last minute of the first half gave hope to Galatasaray.

The Lions leveled the score when Selçuk İnan converted a penalty kick, and sealed the win with a double from Burak Yılmaz and one from Felipe Melo.