TC striker sent off in first match
NORTH Cyprus had a star player sent off as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Karpatalya in their opening game of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (Conifa) World Football Cup in London on Thursday.
Young striker Ahmet Sivri, who plays for Turkish league champions Galatasaray, saw red for a heavy challenge in the final moments of the Group B game, played at Enfield’s Queen Elizabeth II stadium.
North Cyprus, playing in white shirts and socks and red shorts, had taken the lead after 13 minutes when Merit Alsancak Yeşilova’s Billy Osman Mehmet managed to get the ball over the line during a goalmouth scramble.
The team, one of the pre-tournament favourites, dominated the first half but were unable to extend their advantage. A more “tense” TRNC side appeared for the second half, during which Sandor Isivan equalised in the 51st minute for Karpatalya, who represent Hungarian speakers in Ukraine.
The result gave North Cyprus a point as they prepare for their second group game today against Tibet — who lost 3-0 to cup-holders Abkhazia on Thursday — which kicks off at 5pm UK time, followed by a clash with Abkhazia tomorrow at 3pm UK time. Both matches will also be played at the Enfield ground and can be watched online at www.conifa.org/tv.
Tournament director Paul Watson said he believed North Cyprus to be the “best-supported team in the whole thing” because the borough of Enfield has a “massive Turkish and Northern Cypriot community”.
“They’re going to be getting huge crowds,” he said. “For a lot of teams this will feel like a home tournament for them.
“The Northern Cyprus team can’t play in the [ Greek] Cypriot league, they can’t play in the Turkish league. They can’t play in Uefa competitions — there really is no route for Northern Cypriot players at the moment.”
Commentator Rob Hastings said on the iNews website: “Billy [Osman] Mehmet was a prolific goal scorer in Scotland for St Mirren and Dunfermline [Athletic].
“That’s a good pedigree and they’ve got a Northern Cypriot player [Ahmet Sivri] who plays with Galatasaray and has played for the Turkish under-21s.”