FENERBAHCE GET WIN AHEAD OF EUROPA LEAGUE TIE

Fenerbahce returned to winning ways after enduring a string of poor performances, defeating Gaziantepspor 2-1.


The Istanbul-based club have suffered a bad start this term despite being the runners-up in the Spor Toto Super League last season. The win would serve as a confidence booster when they meet Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday, September 29th.

Nigerian player Emmanuel Emenike got the first goal of the night in the 22nd minute with the help of Jeremain Lens. Fenerbahce lost a lot of other chances to seal the game. Immediately after the break, both sides kept trying to get a goal but Gaziantep equalized ten minutes from normal time. Nabil Ghilas took advantage of a defensive error to score. Barely six minutes after Ghilas’ goal had Fener taken the lead, with Lens getting another assist – his fourth in five games. Lens sent a corner kick that Brazilian midfielder Josef de Souza converted.

“We have to learn lessons from this,” Fener manager Dick Advocaat said. He said the victory was well deserved, but admitted that the attack had to improve. Fenerbahce would play Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday. Both sides met at the Champions League qualifying round in the 2002/2003 season. The Dutch club won 3-0 aggregate, but the times have since changed. Former Manchester United forward Robin van Persie was an unused substutite with the Dutch club, but is currently plying his trade with the Turkish side. However, Coach Advocaat said the Dutch international might not appear in the fixture as he was yet to be ready physically.

Feyenoord head into the game with full confidence after their comfortable 5-0 win over Roda JC. Former Reds striker Dirk Kuyt made his 300th Eredivisie appearance. The Dutchman would be leading the attack as Feyenoord fly to Turkey for the Europa League tie.