Shomurodov Scores as Basaksehir Beat Kocaelispor 2-0

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Istanbul Basaksehir opened their Turkish championship season with a 2-0 victory over Kocaelispor, with Uzbekistan national team striker Eldor Shomurodov scoring the second goal and fellow Uzbek international Abbosbek Fayzullaev assisting the opener, UzDaily.uz reported.

Basaksehir took the lead in the 14th minute when Christopher Operi scored following a pass from Fayzullaev. The home side maintained control after the break, and Shomurodov doubled the lead in the 72nd minute, sending the ball into the net while falling after receiving a pass from Andreas Skov Olsen.

Both Uzbek players started the match. Fayzullaev received a yellow card in the 51st minute before being substituted in the 63rd minute. Shomurodov was replaced three minutes after scoring, coming off in the 75th minute.

Kocaelispor saw Inan and Bingel pick up yellow cards in the 29th and 31st minutes respectively as Basaksehir went into the half-time interval with a 1-0 advantage. The home team protected their lead until the final whistle to secure the opening-round win.