MD 14: FC ISTANBUL 1-2 FK BELGRADE
Belgrade picks up an important three points away from home as they hang on to life.
✍️ Written by Saad Maan, Forta Evening News
With both teams in horrible form, not having won in their last 5 fixtures, the expectations from both sets of fans were at an all-time low. However, the thinking man of Belgrade had made plenty of changes going into the matchday, which would be rewarded.
It took a while for Belgrade to get started, with debutant Jacob Hill getting used to life in the Serbian outfit. In the 43rd minute, William Wallace played a deep pass into enemy territory, which found the run of Vagina Alphale. From a terrible angle, the striker managed to toe poke it past Brodie Williamson.
Having scored on the brink of half-time, Belgrade would return to their locker-room with the momentum on their side. Istanbul, panicking, made hefty changes in their forward line, opting to play with two strikers and a single left-winger, leaving the right-hand side of the pitch empty.
Their lack of numbers on the right would be punished, as Belgrade immediately took advantage. Midfield maestro Pablo Oliveira combined with William Wallace, before cutting inside to double the Serbians' lead in the 50th minute.
After the goal, the game started to slow down. In an attempt to breathe some life into it, both sides made significant substitutions, with William Wallace combing off after assisting both of Belgrade's goals.
Following the changes, Istanbul would start to fight their way back into it, with Danny Optic missing a clear chance in the 77th minute following a brilliant piece of play from the Cockroaches.
Just a minute later, Danny Optic found himself in the exact same position as before. Learning from his previous mistake, he converted the chance. A relief could be seen on the face's of the Istanbul players, especially Enzo Lemaire, who provided the assist for Optic.
Sadly for Istanbul, it was too little too late. Belgrade would see out the game, keeping any form of serious danger out. This result sees Belgrade climb out of last place, inching closer to safety with every matchday that passes. Istanbul, however, has fallen down the table, currently in 13th.
