Göztepe put on an impressive performance on Tuesday, securing a 1-0 victory over Gaziantep FK during the second week of the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası B Grubu at the Gürsel Aksel Stadium. The win was marked by Kuryu Matsuki's decisive goal, scored just after the hour mark, which solidified Göztepe’s position at the top of the group standings.
From the opening whistle, Göztepe showed their intent to dominate the match. Just five minutes in, Emerson was quick to capitalize on Gaziantep’s defensive error, firing a shot at goal—but his effort was deflected, sending the ball out for a corner kick. The match held heavy emotional weight, as it coincided with the anniversary of the devastating February 6 earthquakes. Fans paid tribute by applauding those who had lost their lives, creating a poignant atmosphere as both teams joined the remembrance.
Göztepe continued to press, with several attempts to score throughout the first half. At the 30-minute mark, Victor Hugo navigated through two defenders, setting up teammate Nazım Sangaré right in the box. Sangaré’s powerful shot, unfortunately for the hosts, was saved impressively by Gaziantep keeper Burak Bozan, who deflected it out for another corner.
The breakthrough finally came for Göztepe in the 58th minute. After a corner kick was initially cleared, İsmail Köybaşı gathered the ball on the edge of the penalty area. His strong shot hit the right post before ricocheting to Matsuki, who was positioned perfectly to bury it past Bozan. This goal not only changed the scoreline but also shifted the momentum squarely to Göztepe’s favor.
Following the goal, Gaziantep FK sought to level the match. They made several attempts, including one from Okereke, who came close with his shot from the left side of the penalty area but missed just wide of the right post. Göztepe, resilient and determined to maintain their slim lead, countered with their own chances. Near the end of the match, Tijanic tried to extend the lead with another attempt from outside the box, but his shot sailed just past the right post.
The match culminated with Göztepe celebrating their victory, which marked their second win of the tournament, bringing them to 6 points overall. This keeps them firmly at the top of the group, having won both of their matches so far. Looking forward, Göztepe aims to continue their winning streak as they prepare for their next fixture against Kasımpaşa, which promises to be another challenging encounter.
Meanwhile, Gaziantep FK remains on 3 points after this defeat, unable to capitalize on the strong start they had earlier when they defeated İstanbulspor. They will seek redemption as they prepare to face Fenerbahçe next. With the stakes high, both teams are aware of the fierce competition they face as they strive for advancement in this prestigious tournament.
Overall, Göztepe’s solid performance under moderate pressure reflected their determination to succeed this season, especially following difficult outings against Fenerbahçe and Alanyaspor. The victory could serve as the rallying point needed to propel them forward.