Asteras Tripolis 2 : 2 Besiktas JK - Draw sees Besiktas through

Posted Friday, November 28, 2014 by PA

Besiktas booked their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League after holding on to claim a 2-2 draw with Asteras Tripoli after being reduced to 10 men.

Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba opened the scoring for Besiktas in the 15th minute before Gokhan Tore added the second just after the hour mark from the penalty spot.

Substitute Jeronimo Barrales then headed Asteras back into contention in the 72nd minute, with things going from bad to worse for the Turkish visitors when Atiba Hutchinson was sent off a minute later for his second bookable offence.

Besiktas looked like they might hold on for the victory that would seal their progress in style, but Facundo Parra levelled the scores in the 83rd minute.

It meant a nervy finish for Besiktas, but they held on to claim a point which was enough to put them through behind group leaders Tottenham, who defeated Partizan Belgrade 1-0 in the other Group C match.

Slaven Bilic's side began the game in the best possible way with an early goal by Ba which set the tone for a competitive match.

Tore sent the ball into the box with a deft cross which Ba volleyed past Asteras goalkeeper Tomas Kosicky.

Ba put another effort wide shortly afterwards while Parra forced a save from Cenk Gonen from 20 yards at the other end.

However, the action really hotted up after the break when Asteras defender Dorin Goian fouled Olcay Sahan to concede a penalty, which Tore fired high into the back of Kosicky's net.

Barrales put Asteras back into the match with a headed goal from Khalifa Sankare's flicked free-kick and soon Besiktas were down to 10 men when Hutchinson picked up his second yellow card of the match.

It meant Besiktas were left clinging to their narrow lead but they were unable to see out the 90 minutes with their slender advantage as Parra scored the equaliser in the 83rd minute.

A huge slice of luck was involved as Parra diverted Tasos Bakasetas' hopeful effort into the net but that is where Asteras' fortune ended, as they were unable to find the winning goal meaning their tournament was over.