Beşiktaş Stays on Top Heading Down the Stretch
Commentary • Author: Nathan Redd • Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Beşiktaş remained at the top of the table following Turkcell Süper Lig week 32. The Black Eagles held off Ankaragücü in the nation's capital to maintain a two-point lead in the standings. Sivasspor is still in the hunt, however, following their 2-1 victory over Hacettepe over the weekend. With just two games left, it appears the title race may come down to the final weekend. Here's a look around the league action in week 32:
Beşiktaş star Bobo scored just two minutes in, but Ankara's Leonardo Andres Iglesias equalized for the home side 15 minutes later to make it a game. The Eagles would pick up two more goals to hold off Ankaragücü and claim the 3-1 win over the weekend.
“Time is tight,” said Beşiktaş coach Mustafa Denizli after the match. “From now on our paramount duty will be to defend our advantage, so no one should expect entertaining or stylish football," he said. They maintain a two-point advantage over Sivasspor, and a three-point lead over Trabzonspor. The Black Sea Storm defeated Bursaspor 1-0 to stay in the title chase. It wasn't easy, however. Trabzon's Gökhan Ünal scored on a free kick in the final moments of the game to help his squad stay within reach of Beşiktaş at the top.
Galatasaray are still hoping for a European spot next year, and they took care of business against Gençlerbirliği over the weekend at Ali Sami Yen. Last year's champs pulled out the 2-1 victory and still have a shot at finishing second in the leage. “I have said it before and I'm saying it once again: We are going to fight until the very end,” said Lions' coach Bülent Korkmaz after the match.
Elsewhere, Kocaelispor was officially eliminated from contention for a Süper Lig spot next season. They'll join Hacettepe in Bank Asya League 1 next season after falling to Gaziantepspor 5-2 over the weekend. The third and final relegation spot is still unclear, however, with as many as eight teams not out of danger yet. Here is the final scoreboard from this weekend's action:
Week 32 league results:
Hacettepe 1, Sivasspor 2
Ankaragücü 1, Beşiktaş 3
Trabzonspor 1, Bursaspor 0
Galatasaray 2, Gençlerbirliği 1
Antalyaspor 1, Fenerbahçe 1
İstanbul BşB 1, Kayserispor 0
Denizlispor 2, Ankaraspor 0
Gaziantepspor 5, Kocaelispor 2
Konyaspor 1, Eskişehirspor 2
(photo courtesy of Anadolu Agency)





Comments (2)