Sabri Scores Winner; Galatasaray Advances

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(Istanbul, Turkey) – Sabri Sarioglu powered home the late game-winner as Galatasaray AŞ defeated FC Girondins de Bordeaux 4-3 to advance to the UEFA Cup Round of 16 where they will face Hamburger SV.

After conceding two Bordeaux goals in a span of 60 seconds to level the score 3-3, Galatasaray appeared to be gassed. However, in the closing minutes of stoppage time, Turkish fullback Sabri slammed a low 15-meter shot into the corner settling the difference for good.

The match got off to a remarkably fast start, as Bordeaux’s David Bellion caught the hosts off guard, putting away a brilliant long ball from Diego Placente 12 seconds in.

However, Galatasaray would answer before the break, thanks to a 12 meter blast from Arda Turan, knotting the score at one apiece.

With the home crowd still selebrating the equaliser, Australian Harry Kewell, who had come in for the injured Mehmet Topal, put Galatasaray ahead with a remarkably placed shot from 35 meters out in during stoppage time.

Galatasaray thought to have sealed the victory in the 65th, when Lincoln’s cross provided an easy tap in for Arda’s second goal of the day.

Bordeaux, however, narrowed the margin in the 72nd when Chamakh tracked down Cavenaghi’s through ball and put it home off the side of his foot. Shortly after in the 75th, Bordeaux stunned the home team with an equalizer, thanks to Cavenghani capitalizing on a dropped cross by Galatasaray keeper Morgan de Sanctis.

However, Sabri would have the final word, taking advantage of a botched attempt to clear a late corner, punching Galatasaray’s ticket for the Round of 16 to face Hamburger SV next month.