Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida continued his remarkable start to the 2011/12 season tonight by notching a 1st-half brace against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

After a dismal start to the domestic season last Friday, Carlos Carvalhal’s men set out to make amends in their Europa League group stage opener at the Inonu Stadium in Istanbul.  Hugo Almeida was joined by Manuel Fernandes, Ricardo Quaresma (back from suspension) and Simao Sabrosa, who recently overcame a hamstring problem.

Things got off to a great start for Besiktas when Almeida broke the offside trap in the third minute and lobbed the keeper from the edge of the penalty area to give Besiktas the early lead.

The Israelis, who were booed all night whenever they maintained possession of the ball (political reasons), grew more into the game, but minutes later nearly found themselves 2-0 down. Quaresma got free down the right and his cross flashed across the face of goal with Almeida lurking in the area. Almeida continued to make a nuisance of himself by providing an outlet for long passes and was narrowly thwarted at the last moment on several occasions. 


Tel Aviv had the ball in the net in the 16th minute, but the play was ruled marginally offside, much to the fans’ relief. Besiktas doubled their lead in spectacular fashion in the 27th minute as Quaresma’s swerving, cross-field pass found Almeida all alone. Though his initial effort was parried, the rebound fell kindly for the Portuguese striker and he made no mistake with a header from close range.

Simao nearly added another goal for the Turkish club two minutes before the break with a free kick, but Besiktas would go into the break with a well-deserved 2-0 lead.

Tel Aviv started the second half on the attack and wasted little time pulling a goal back as Roei Kahat rose highest to head home a cross from the left in the 47th minute. The visitor’s joy would be short-lived however, as Mehmet Aurelio restored the two-goal advantage only minutes later, benefiting from a well placed Manuel Fernandes free kick. Things got even worse for Tel Aviv in the 52nd minute when Quaresma’s cross was met with a diving header from Egeman Korkmaz.

The chances continued to flow and both teams had goals ruled out for offside within minutes of each other. Goncalves Edu stung the palms of Tel Aviv keeper Guy Haimov from 12 yards out, while the Israelis continued to look for more goals. It was not to be for Tel Aviv, and eventually it was Besiktas who found another goal. A long ball over the top found Edu, who cut inside his defender to fire home into the near corner of the net.

It was a lively encounter throughout, and the only negative from the Portuguese point of view was the 57th minute withdrawal of Almeida, who appeared to injure his left hamstring. In the end, Besiktas were never in danger of dropping points and will take confidence from their performance. Carvalhal’s men currently sit atop Group E, after Dynamo Kiev drew with Stoke City 1-1. Besiktas will travel to Stoke in two weeks time in what should be a much more strenuous match.

Goals:
[1-0] Almeida, 3
[2-0] Almeida, 27
[2-1] Kahat, 47
[3-1] Aurelio, 50
[4-1] Korkmaz, 52
[5-1] Edu, 80

by Nathan Motz

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