In a thrilling encounter at the Konya Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium, Konyaspor overcame 12 Bingölspor 4-2, advancing in the Turkey Cup while showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience. The match held significance not only for cup progression but also for Konyaspor, who have been grappling with inconsistent form in the Süper Lig.
Konyaspor started brightly, with Marius Ștefănescu finding the back of the net just six minutes in. The early goal provided a much-needed lift for Konyaspor, who were coming off a hard-fought 2-1 win over Genclerbirligi. However, their lead was short-lived as Bingölspor responded quickly. Just nine minutes later, an unidentified player leveled the score, exploiting a momentary lapse in Konyaspor's defense, which has been a recurring issue this season.
The back-and-forth nature of the match continued as Konyaspor regained the lead in the 19th minute, with a second unidentified scorer adding to their tally. The team, eager to bolster their confidence after a shaky run in the league, surged forward, finding opportunities that their visitors struggled to defend.
Despite the setback, Bingölspor maintained their fighting spirit, capitalizing on Konyaspor's defensive instability. The match took a dramatic turn in the 21st minute when Yasir Subaşı of Konyaspor received a red card after a contentious decision, leaving his team with ten men for over two-thirds of the match. His exit added pressure on Konyaspor, who needed to hold their lead and protect their advantage against a determined Bingölspor side, buoyed by their four consecutive victories in the third division.
As the second half began, Konyaspor showcased determination, with Morten Bjorlo scoring in the 62nd minute to extend their lead to 3-1. Moments later, Melih Bostan added a fourth goal for Konyaspor in the 67th minute, further lifting the spirits of the home crowd. However, the match was not yet settled. Bingölspor would claw one back in the 76th minute through another unidentified player, injecting renewed hope for the visitors, keen to capitalize on their recent form.
Despite the late goal from Bingölspor, Konyaspor's defense, bolstered by a spirited performance from goalkeeper Kadir Kılınç, held strong in the final moments. Yet, there was another twist as Konyaspor was reduced to nine men after another red card late in the game. The situation created a tense finish, but Konyaspor ultimately secured the victory, bouncing back from their mixed results in the league.
This win serves as a crucial morale booster for Konyaspor, especially after their recent struggles, which included a disappointing loss to Besiktas and a narrow defeat to Kocaelispor. As they look to build on this momentum in the league, they remain in a mid-table position, where consistency will be key.
For 12 Bingölspor, despite the loss, the performance illustrated their capabilities against a higher-tier opponent. Their recent form had shown promise, and they will undoubtedly regroup and aim for further success in their league fixtures.
The cup match has paved the way for Konyaspor to gain some much-needed confidence as they prepare for their upcoming league challenges, while Bingölspor can take positives from their spirited display, looking to leverage their resilience in their pursuit of promotion in the third division.