Demirspor, Antalyaspor Draw 2-2 In Thrilling Süper Lig Clash
Spirited Süper Lig Encounter Ends In Points Shared
Adana Demirspor and Antalyaspor played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in a thrilling Süper Lig encounter at the Yeni Adana Stadyumu on Sunday afternoon. The hosts took the lead twice through Britt Assombalonga and Mario Balotelli, but two goals from Haji Wright ensured that the spoils would be shared. The draw leaves Demirspor in eighth place in the table, while Antalyaspor remain in 13th.
Demirspor Strike First But Antalyaspor Respond
Demirspor, who were looking to bounce back from their defeat to Galatasaray last time out, made a bright start to the match and took the lead in the 15th minute when Assombalonga converted a penalty after Balotelli had been fouled in the area. Antalyaspor responded well to going behind, however, and they levelled the scores just five minutes later through Wright.
Balotelli Restores Demirspor Lead
The hosts regained the lead in the 35th minute when Balotelli headed home from close range after a cross from Younes Belhanda. Demirspor looked the more likely team to add to their lead in the second half, but they were unable to find a way past Antalyaspor goalkeeper Ruud Boffin.
Wright Grabs Late Equaliser
Antalyaspor continued to press for an equaliser, and they were eventually rewarded in the 85th minute when Wright scored his second goal of the game. The American forward met a cross from Doğukan Sinik with a powerful header that gave Demirspor goalkeeper Emre Akbaba no chance.
The draw was a fair result in the end, with both teams having chances to win the game. Demirspor will be disappointed not to have taken all three points, but they will be pleased with their performance, especially in the first half. Antalyaspor, meanwhile, will be relieved to have come away from Adana with a point, and they will now be looking to build on this result when they host Sivasspor next weekend.
Post-Match Reaction
"We're disappointed not to have won the game, but we're also proud of the performance that we put in," said Demirspor coach Vincenzo Montella. "We played with a lot of heart and determination, and we created a number of good chances. We just need to be more clinical in front of goal."
"We're happy to have come away with a point," said Antalyaspor coach Nuri Şahin. "We knew that it would be a difficult game, but we showed great character to come back from behind twice. We're now looking forward to our next game against Sivasspor."
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