By Chris Evans
Didim’s first professional football team, Efeler 09 FK, didn’t disappoint on its debut as a superb 72nd minute free-kick won the match against Viranşehir.
In the TFF 3. Lig (Fourth Division) opener, Efeler 09 FK, which has been forced to relocate Didim’s Ataturk Stadium due to their own ground being demolished as it wasn’t earthquake resistant, certainly made their presence felt in front of a crowd of around 700 people. The team’s name is set to be changed to 10 Numara Sportif Didim SK once permission is given.
It was a decent game where one moment of quality won it as there weren’t too many chances between two equally matched sides battled it out in very hot weather. In truth, both goalkeepers should have been charged the 50tl entrance fee in the first half as they were spectators!
In the 6th minute, in an Efeler 09 attack, Emre met the ball in the penalty area and shot hard, but goalkeeper Ogün saved, sending the ball out for a corner.
On 27 minutes, Berkan shot from the penalty area arc and the ball was caught by Viranşehir’s keeper. Uğur Çetinkaya then shot from the diagonal but narrowly missed the post.
On 40 minutes, Emre’s cross into the Viranşehir penalty area was not cleared by the defense. In the ensuing scuffle, Uğur directed hs shot to the corner but missed. The first half ended goalless.
Mustafa Karaman then shot wide from outside the penalty area and Efeler, on 65 minutes, failed to convert after a goalmouth scramble.
The visitor’s keeper earned his wages with a save in the second half that defied gravity.
But the deadlock was broken in the 72nd minute, when Efeler 09 won a free kick outside the penalty area. Mustafa Karaman stepped up and guided the shot into beyond Ogün. It then became a midfield tussle with few chances.
Efeler’s two centre halves were a throwback to the days when the opposition striker was well marshalled and didn’t get a sniff. Mightily impressed with Efeler’s Mustafa Karaman and Uğur Çetinkaya.
Even with five minutes additional time, Efeler held out for the three points and then celebrated the victory with Didim fans. A perfect goal and a perfect start. There’s a good team here. Something special is brewing on Marina Road.
Teams:
EFELER 09: 1) Kemal Mert, 5) Berkan Ünal, 7) Süleyman Çelik (57th min, Abdullah), 8) Furkan Tuşik, 9) Gökberk Efe, 14) Furkan Külekci, 19) Mustafa Karaman (80th min Huseyin) 22)Enis Çelik, 35) Sabutay Alper Bayülken, 77) Emre Yıldırım, 90) Uğur Çetinkaya,
VİRANŞEHİR BELEDİYESPOR: 1) Ogun, 4) Selim, 7) Muhammed (59th min Ufukcan), 8) Mustafa, 9) Baha, 11) Alpay (61st min Yusuf), 15) Tamer, 20) Mehmet Ali (67th min Mahmut), 23) Erhan, 44) Seyit, (85th min Rahmi), 97) Muhammed Hasan
Goal: 72nd min Mustafa (Efeler 09 SK)
Yellow card: Enis, Uğur (Efeler 09 SK) Tamer (Viranşehir Bldspor)
Referees: Muhammed Taha Onat (Referee) Ali Kilic (1st Assistant), Aysenur Karakoc (2nd Assistant), Yunus Aytekin Atabek (Fourth Official)
Images from local news media