Titleholder Fener meets Sivas in cup

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Milos Krasi. AP photo

Holder Fenerbahçe continues its title defense with a Ziraat Turkish Cup game against Sivasspor at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium tonight.

The Istanbul team, who last season ended a 29-year drought with a cup victory, will try to start the group stage with a win.

According to the newly implemented Ziraat Turkish Cup status, the remaining eight teams were pitted in two groups and the top two finishers will participate to the semifinal round.

Fenerbahçe will also try to bounce back from a bitter 2-1 derby defeat against Galatasaray on Dec. 16, leaving the club five points behind its archrival in the Super League.

The game starts at 8:30 p.m.

Bursaspor and 1461 Trabzon are also in the Group A. Bursaspor, last year’s runner-up will host 1461 in another game tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The first games in the group stage will be wrapped up with tomorrow’s Group B matches between Mersin İdman Yurdu and Medical Park Antalyaspor along with the Trabzonspor vs. Eskişehirspor clash.