Rizespor secured a 2-1 win away at Gazitepe in the third round of Turkey's Super League. The visitors took the lead through Ali Sowe before Gazitepe equalised, but Zakaria Ariss' own goal in the 90th minute decided it. Rizespor moved to fifth place on six points while Gazitepe dropped to 11th with four.
Emrecan Bulut gave the hosts an early advantage in the 12th minute, but Ali Sowe turned things around just before the half-hour mark. Fuat Bavuk came on for Gazitepe in the 40th minute as they tried to hold their shape. Attila Mocsi picked up a yellow card for the visitors by the hour mark, and the substitutions started flowing from both sides.
Rizespor pressed forward after the break with three changes in quick succession. Emrecan Bulut, Sontje Hansen and Florin Stefan all left the pitch in the 64th and 65th minutes. Gazitepe brought on Ibrahim Olawoyin and Taylan Antalyalı for added energy, while Ahmed Kutucu and Ali Sowe were replaced in the 89th minute. The match ended with Dal Varesanovic also booked for Rizespor.
Gazitepe dominated possession at 56 per cent and created more attacks, but the chances went begging. They registered 10 shots inside the penalty area with just four on target, while their expected goals figure sat at 0.79. Rizespor were more clinical with 1.17 expected goals and three big chances created. The visitors made 34 clearances compared to Gazitepe's 12, showing they held every card defensively.
The result shifts the gap between the two sides in the table. Rizespor sit two points clear with a superior goal difference, while Gazitepe's unbeaten run from earlier in the campaign has now ended. The hosts had won once and drawn once before facing this setback at home.
