ANKARA
Besiktas missed several chances at scoring against Greek team Asteras Tripolis in the first matchday of UEFA Europa League Group C game which ended in a 1-1 draw at Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul on Thursday night.
In the eighth minute, Besiktas' Turkish midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup's freekick rattled the bottom of the post and hit the ground. Besiktas was very close to scoring the leading goal. A minute later, Turkish team's winger Gokhan Tore's shot shaved the woodwork. In the 17th minute the "Black Eagles" Turkish midfielder Olcay Sahan's shot inside the area went over the bar.
In the 26th minute, Asteras Tripolis' Greek midfielder Giorgos Zisopoulos skipped past two Besiktas defenders just outside the box and closely missed the target. It was a good chance for the Greek side, but he failed to score.
Besiktas' Gokhan Tore scored the leading goal in the 33rd minute. Turkish winger firstly trapped the ball nicely and fired outside the area, the ball clipped the post and went in, 1-0.
In the 37th minute, Oguzhan hit a vicious strike but missed the target. Besiktas increased the pressure, and two minutes later, Asteras' Argentine forward Jeronimo Barrales' header went out.
Through the end of the first half, Tore from Besiktas 'close range missile' shot went over the crossbar.
In the 66th minute of the game, Olcay Sahan fired a volley without trapping the ball from the corner kick but the ball went wide.
Asteras Tripolis scored a shocking late equaliser. Greek club's Argentine forward Facundo Parra - assisted by Martin Rolle - hit a volley in the box and found the net in the 88th minute.
In the remaining time, none of the sides managed to make an impact on changing the score and the match ended as a 1-1 draw in Istanbul.
In another match of the group, Serbian side Partizan drew against England's Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 in Belgrade.
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