Beşiktaş gets a crucial win

Beşiktaş has clinched a crucial victory at Trabzonspor in the Spor Toto Super League, leapfrogging its opponent in the standings.

Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma scored the game’s only goal from a penalty kick in the 78th minute to give his side its first victory in three league games.

Beşiktaş coach Carlos Carvalhal praised the performance of his players while Trabzonspor targeted Fırat Aydınus, the game’s referee.

“Beşiktaş supporters should be proud of this team,” Carvalhal told reporters after the game. “We have played four important games back to back and the team is now at a very good point.”

Finances were a problem for every football club, Carvalhal said when asked about media stories regarding the poor financial situation of the club, which reportedly led to difficulties in payments to players.

“There is no doubt in the squad that such problems will be resolved, that is why my players’ performances tonight were that high,” said Carvalhal. “Yes, there might be some problems about the money, but our job is to overcome such problems and do our work.”

Trabzonspor’s Secretary-General Hasan Yener blamed the referee for the loss. “We have seen refereeing mistakes against Trabzonspor in our last three league games,” Yener told the Anatolia news agency yesterday. “First our goal was disallowed against Kayserispor. Then we conceded a goal against Mersin İdman Yurdu after a hand-ball incident. And yesterday, the referee disallowed a goal against Beşiktaş and [Roberto] Hilbert should have been sent off.”

Carvalhal, not of the same opinion, said, “I tell this with all of my heart, the level of refereeing in Turkey is really at a very good level.”

With the victory, Beşiktaş increased its points to 21 in 12 weeks and went up to fifth spot in standings, one above Trabzonspor, which is now on 20 points.

Trabzonspor coach Şenol Güneş blamed fatigue for the loss, something Trabzonspor was concerned of before the game.

“My players fought hard in such a busy schedule,” Güneş told his players in yesterday’s training session, Doğan news agency reported. He said the workload of Champions League games created problems for the Black Sea club in the league competition.

Trabzonspor held Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw at home Nov. 22 and will play its last group game at Lille on Dec. 7. A victory will make sure Trabzonspor has a spot in the knock-out stage in the Champions League.

Beşiktaş also represents Turkey on the European stage. The team will fly to Israel tomorrow for a Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Dec. 1.

Beşiktaş currently sits in second spot with six points, while Maccabi is last with just one. The Israeli club needs a victory to have any chance of qualifying from the group.

Beşiktaş has lost its last four games in Europe since a 2-1 win at CSKA Sofia in last season’s UEFA Europa League group stage.

*Compiled from Doğan News Agency and Anatolia News Agency reports by the Daily News staff in Istanbul.