Doha: Besiktas clinched their 10th Turkish Super Cup title yesterday with a penalty shootout win over Antalyaspor at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
The match ended 1-1 in extra time after Besiktas captain Atiba Hutchinson opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, but the Canadian put the ball in his own net in the 74th minute to give Antalyaspor hope of a maiden title.
In the penalties Besiktas won 4-2 after goalkeeper Ersin Destanoglu saved Erdilman Mustafa’s kick, while Floranus Sherel hit the bar. Besiktas converted all their penalties with Vida Domagoj burying the ball in the net to spark victory celebrations in the Black Eagles camp.
Both teams were hamstrung by the absence of key players due to COVID-19, with 11 of Besiktas’ players missing, while four Antalyaspor players were ruled out for the match. However, that did not stop Besiktas extending their dominance over Antalyaspor and winning the title.
It was Besiktas interim manager Onder Karaveli’s first silverware with the club, in just his sixth match in charge. Karaveli took over after the Istanbul heavyweights parted ways with former club legend-turned-coach Sergen Yalcın.
The Turkish Super Cup was held in Qatar for the first time, after all the earlier editions were played in Turkey and Germany. Only 25% of Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium’s capacity was allowed with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and organisers enforcing strict safety measures.
The match is one of the many dress rehearsal events Qatar is hosting ahead of organising the FIFA World Cup later this year. Over the past two years, Doha hosted many important official international matches amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the AFC Champions League competitions for the West and East regions and the AFC Champions League final 2020.
Doha also hosted the Italian Super Cup in 2014 and 2016, and other international friendly matches due to its enormous organisational capabilities and distinguished facilities that make it the premier destination for various football events.
Source: Qatar Football Association