Turkey's top football division title contender Besiktas lost against Genclerbirligi 1-0 on Friday night as the last week of the season's first half started with two games.
The hosts cruised to victory as Bosnian striker Ermin Zec found the net in the 21st minute. Besiktas pushed hard for an equaliser as the clock ticked down, but could not manage to score.
With this loss, Besiktas finished the first half of the season with 29 points, at least nine points behind the leading archrival Fenerbahce, who is to play one more match before finishing the matchday 17. Struggling for keeping away from the relegation zone, the Ankara side Genlerbirligi has risen to the 11th position with 21 points, although its rivals lack one game to be played.
In the other game of the Friday night, Akhisar Belediyespor earned a 4-2 away victory against Kasimpasa, who currently occupies the second spot of Turkish Super League.
The matchday 17 will continue with three Saturday showdowns and four games on Sunday. The program is as follows:
Friday:
Genclerbirligi 1 - 0 Besiktas
Kasimpasa 2 - 4 Akhisar Belediyespor
Saturday:
S.B. Elazigspor - Caykur Rizespor (13:30)
Gaziantepspor - Bursaspor (16:00)
Kayseri Erciyesspor - Galatasaray (19:00)
Sunday:
Torku Konyaspor - Eskisehirspor (13:30)
Sivasspor - KDC Karabukspor (13:30)
Trabzonspor - MP Antalyaspor (16:00)
Fenerbahce - Kayserispor (19:00)
englishnews@aa.com.tr
