Fenerbahçe 2-2 Diyarbakýrspor
We failed to maintain the pressure on Besiktas by drawing 2-2 at home against a counter attacking Diyarbakýrspor. A spirited performance wasn`t enough for victory at the Þükrü Saraçoðlu Stadium.
Despite effective measures to protect the pitch throughout the week, the surface required extra effort from all players. Both sides showed this effort in the first half, which we dominated but couldn`t get a clear cut chance on goal.
Diyarbakýrspor looked to score on the counter attack through pacey forwards Murat and Bakadal, who took wide positions to split the defence. One counter attack led to a corner kick in the 11th minute, which wasn`t dealt with by our side leading to Cumhur placing into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. Volkan seemed to expect Ali Güneþ would be guarding that post, but the right back had moved forward moments before the shot was taken.
Pierre van Hooijdonk had two free kick opportunities, the first, from a long way out, being saved low down by Þenol and the second getting a deflection to direct it away from the goal.
Fabio Luciano featured a lot in the first half, but mostly in the opposition`s box with his surprise breaks forward. The Brazilian centre back hit the crossbar with a powerful header in the 17th minute, then was very unlucky not to score a wonder goal five minutes from the break, spinning in the air to delicately direct the ball with the side of his foot only to see it sail over the goal.
The second half was all about our overwhelming pressure and Diyarbakýrspor`s counter attacks catching our defence in small numbers. Murat Sala nearly put the visitors two goals ahead as he hit across the goal inside the area, forcing a good save from Volkan with the rebound shot from Cumhur being blocked by Fabio Luciano`s sliding challenge.
In the 58th minute, the goal fans were begging for came from Aurelio`s long ball being headed down by van Hooijdonk to Marcio Nobre, who turned and half volleyed into the back of the net, 1-1.
A packed defense was hard to penetrate on the ground, which resulted in frequent long balls being played towards van Hooijdonk for most of the second half.
However, the 82nd minute saw one of those Diyarbakýr counter attacks result in a goal after a two on two situation. Hasan crossed in from the right, beating substitute Servet for awareness and pace, before Serdar tapped in from close range.
Within seconds of the goal, Marcio Nobre once again entered the stage, finishing another knock-down by van Hooijdonk with the outside of his foot, 2-2.
Three minutes after, Aurelio displayed true passion and grit, sprinting back to catch up with Bakadal who was one-on-one with Volkan, before sliding to block his shot and prevent the visitors from taking the lead once again.
In the second minute of stoppage time a final glimmer of hope appeared when van Hooijdonk was fouled on the edge of the box. The Dutchman stepped up but hit the wall with his effort. The resulting corner wasn`t utilised and this critical game finished in a tie. Beþiktaþ now extend their lead to five points at the top of the table.
Source:Fenerbahçe.org
