Galatasaray failed to capitalize on yesterday’s draw between archrivals Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, managing only to take home a point from its visit to Istanbul neighbors Kasımpaşa on Dec. 1, with a 1-1 draw.
The minnows of Beyoğlu, financially supported of late by a number of heavy-hitting industrialists, opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Syrian midfielder Malki Sanharib, after a crafty assist from Ezequiel Scariona that eliminated four defenders at once.
The Lions tied the game in the 60th minute following some silky skill from Didier Drogba. The Ivorian legend, recently criticized by some for “selfishness” on the field, received the ball near touchline, but nevertheless managed to outfox the nearest defender by passing the ball between his legs, before flicking a pass to Burak Yılmaz, who easily fired the ball home.
However, it was Kasımpaşa who had the clearest opportunity to seal the victory, in the 78th minute, when Dutch star Ryan Babel found himself alone with only the goalkeeper to beat, highlighting the Lions’ defensive troubles. Still, Babel’s dubitative delivery was well-saved by young Eray İşler, who is currently deputizing for the injured Fernando Muslera.
A last-minute effort by Drogba also failed to hit the target, sailing over the crossbar.
With honors even, Kasımpaşa and Galatasaray preserve their places in the table, in second and fourth respectively.
After the match, Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini publically expressed his displeasure, especially with his team’s defensive mistakes. “We have to work on our defense three squares a day: Morning, noon and evening,” Mancini told reporters.
Mancini had expressed similar criticism after losing 4-1 against a 10-man Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu in midweek, when he confessed to being “unable to understand” the simple mistakes made by his defenders.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the match, a row erupted among Kasımpaşa supporters in the stands of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stadium during the first half. Police officers intervened to stop the scuffles, detaining over 10 Kasımpaşa supporters.
In the day’s other match, Trabzonspor emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Kayseri Erciyesspor at home with a brace from Florent Malouda. With the win, the Black SeaStorm moves to fifth with 23 points, level with Galatasaray.
Fenerbahçe stays top with 32 points – six ahead of Kasımpaşa – following a thrilling 3-3 draw against Beşiktaş. Beşiktaş remains third on 25 points.
HDN
