Turkey round-up: Ortega inspires Fenerbahçe fightback
Thursday, September 12, 2002
Article summary
Fenerbahçe SK struggled hard to salvage a point from a 3-3 draw against Gaziantepspor.
Article body
Late strikes needed
The Istanbul side needed late strikes from substitute Ariel Ortega and Ogun Temizkanoglu to gain a point which means they are now fourth in the table, four points behind leaders Gençlerbirligi SK after four matches. Ortega, a summer signing from CA River Plate, was consigned to bench duty but inspired the Fenerbahçe comeback with an 85th-minute penalty.
Bright start
Gaziantepspor started the match brightly and took the lead in the 14th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Mustafa Sahintürk was felled in the box by Ogun. Kemal Aslan stepped up to stroke the spot kick into the net.
Fine goal
The home side continued to push forward and got their reward with a second goal just eight minutes later. Mustafa swung over a corner which landed at Yaw Preko's feet. He moved the ball on to Kemal Aslan, who whipped in a cross for Alper Akici to head a fine goal.
Ortega introduction
The visitors eventually got a goal back when Israeli forward Haim Revivo rose high to nod a cross from Miroslav Stevic into the net. Gaziantepsor refused to lie down though and despite the introduction of Ortega after 66 minutes, they took a 3-1 lead in the 84th minute when Aslan scored from a rebound after Erdal Günes' shot came back off a post.
Stage set
Ortega hauled Fenerbahçe back into the match a minute later, winning a penalty and then converting it himself. The stage was set for Ogun to save the match and this he did, heading an equaliser a minute from time from a Washington cross.