Fenerbahçe beat Galatasaray 2-0 in heated Istanbul derby
by Anadolu Agency
ISTANBUL Football
Nov 20, 2016 12:00 am GMT+3
Van Persie (2ndR) scores at the Fenerbahce Ulker Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul on November 20, 2016. (AFP PHOTO)
Fenerbahçe bested its arch-rival Galatasaray 2-0 in a derby match Sunday evening in Turkish football's top division Spor Toto Super League at Fenerbahce Sükri Saraçoğlu Stadium in Istanbul.
The Yellow Canaries scored the leading goal in the 45th minute with Dutch forward Robin van Persie, who also found the net in the penalty area in the 78th minute.
Fenerbahçe dominated the play, with Galatasaray unable to muster its offense.
Some Fenerbahçe regulars were absent from the derby. Turkish central midfielder Mehmet Topal was suspended, and Dutch winger Jeremain Lens had sustained an injury from Netherlands' friendly game against Belgium.
With the win, Fenerbahçe raised their points to 21, while the Lions stood at 20, unable to break the 17-year curse.
Since the last time Galatasaray won a game on Fenerbahce's home turf (1999), Galatasaray has won the UEFA Cup, Super Cup, seven league titles, five Turkish Cups, and five Domestic Super Cups.
The perennial rivalry between the two teams started over a century ago, on Jan. 17, 1909, with a special match which ended 2-0 in Galatasaray's favor.
Last Update: Nov 20, 2016 11:31 pm