Beşiktaş JK and Gaziantep FK played out a 2-2 draw in a thrilling match at the Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul on Monday 8 December, during the 15th round of the Turkish Süper Lig.
The visitors were a surprise from the outset, with striker Mohamed Bayo opening the scoring in the seventh minute with an accurate strike that sent the Gaziantep fans into raptures. A long ball from midfield found the Beşiktaş defence in disarray, leaving the way open for Bayo to race through the middle of the box, get in front of the keeper and fire home at the near post to make it 1-0.
The Beşiktaş reaction came before half-time and with a stroke of luck: in the 35th minute, El Bilal Touré equalised when Gaziantep goalkeeper Zafer Görgen took a kick after Ogün Özçiçek’s pass. At just the right moment, El Bilal Toure appeared, alert to the clearance, against whose body the ball bounced and ended up in the opposition goal to Görgen’s despair. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but it gave Beşiktaş hope.
At the start of the second half, Gaziantep didn’t slow down and they struck again in the 66th minute: Bayo, again in the spotlight, received a through ball from Ivorian Drissa Camara as he stood by the penalty spot; with a simple turn, he was alone in front of the keeper and, with a subtle touch between the keeper’s legs, put the southeastern Turkish team back in front on the scoreboard. It was a psychological blow for the Beşiktaş players, as the score went back against them just when they seemed to have regained control of the game.
Defensive errors condemned Sergen Yalçın’s side
But Sergen Yalçın‘s side did not give up. Just four minutes later (70th minute), from a well-directed corner kick into the box, Tammy Abraham – who had come on at the start of the second half – leapt between the defenders and headed home a spectacular goal to make it 2-2.
The equaliser saved the game for Beşiktaş – who has 25 points in the league, two more than Gaziantep – but left a taste of a missed opportunity for both sides. The match served to demonstrate the attacking ability of both teams, but defensive weaknesses and inaccuracies ultimately condemned the Black Eagles, who have now gone four consecutive home games without a win (the last being against Kocaelispor, on matchday 7). In short, the lack of solidity in defence continues to be a problem for the Istanbul team, who has not been at its best in recent years.
Results of the 15th round of the Super League
GALATASARAY A.Ş. 3 – 2 SAMSUNSPOR A.Ş.
İKAS EYÜPSPOR 1 – 1 ZECORNER KAYSERİSPOR
TÜMOSAN KONYASPOR 1 – 1 ÇAYKUR RİZESPOR A.Ş.
RAMS BAŞAKŞEHİR FUTBOL KULÜBÜ 1 – 1 FENERBAHÇE A.Ş.
GENÇLERBİRLİĞİ 3 – 0 MISIRLI.COM.TR FATİH KARAGÜMRÜK
KOCAELİSPOR 0 – 0 KASIMPAŞA A.Ş.
GÖZTEPE A.Ş. 1 – 2 TRABZONSPOR A.Ş.
BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş. 2 – 2 GAZİANTEP FUTBOL KULÜBÜ A.Ş.
CORENDON ALANYASPOR 0 – 0 HESAP.COM ANTALYASPOR
Turkish league: standings
VOTE
EDITORIAL TEAM
🧿 About us
.
Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
…
📣 Your ADVERTISING on Hispanatolia
.
🤗 HELP US WITH A DONATION:
💗 Paypal
