CIHANGIR STAY TOP
Super League leaders cling on to first place with late penalty as Mağusa Türk Gücü keep up the pressure
AKSA Super League leaders Cihangir narrowly avoided giving away first place to Mağusa Türk Gücü (MTG) after scoring a last-gasp penalty in a 2-1 win at home to China Bazaar Gençlik Gücü last Saturday.
The league’s top scorer Muhittin Tümbül was the hero for Cihangir. He gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the first half.
China Bazaar Gençlik Gücü equalised thanks to a Cihangir own goal in the 81st minute. The match looked to be heading to a draw before Cihangir were awarded a second penalty in stoppage time.
Tümbül converted the spot-kick for his 30th league goal of the season to secure victory and another three points that kept his side ahead of MTG in the title race.
China Bazaar Gençlik Gücü’s Ali Akbulut, who gave away the second penalty, was sent off after protesting against the decision.
MTG’s relentless pursuit of Cihangir continued as they thrashed bottom side Türk Ocağı Limasol (TOL) 5-0 at home to take their goals tally to an incredible 94 from 25 games.
The result also condemned TOL, who have won only once all season, to relegation to the First League.
Elsewhere there were goals aplenty in the weekend’s other Super League fixtures. Third-placed Tremeşeli H. Dumlupınar’s mathematical hopes of winning the league were extinguished as they succumbed to a 5-1 loss away to fifthplaced Doğan Türk Birliği.
In the Lefkoşa derby Çetinkaya came from behind to defeat fourthplaced Göçmenköy 5-2 at the capital’s Atatürk Stadium.
Emmanuel Ernest scored four times for Çetinkaya to take his personal tally for the league season to 23.
Second-from-bottom Yeniboğaziçi, who look certain to join TOL in the second flight, held Karşıyaka to a 2-2 draw.
Meanwhile there were wins for Yenicami, Alsancak Yeşilova and Pera L. Gençler Birliği.