Bayern Stumble Out After Altinordu Draw
Bayern Munich crashed out of Al Kass 2019 after drawing 1-1 with surprise package Altinordu in a dramatic finale to Group C.
Bayern came into the game knowing that only a win would ensure progress to the knockout stage, having lost their opening game 3-2 to ESS – a scoreline that could have been far worse for the Germans, who claimed both of their goals in added time.
Munich had made five changes this time round, with Nemanja Motika one of those elevated to the starting 11 after coming off the bench to score last time out.
Despite having to wait until the 88th minute for their winner against the Tunisians, Altinordu had been mightily impressive in the opener against ESS, dominating possession and playing fluid, patient football which brought late reward in the shape of an 88th minute winner.
Bayern went close early on when Thorben Rhein swung a corner in from the left that Gabriel Marusic rose highest to meet, but his header went wide when he may have expected to hit the target.
Soon after though, the Germans took the lead, with VAR again playing a decisive role as referee Kulcsar reviewed the tape and adjudged that an arm had been used to block a goalbound shot. Moritz Mosandl made no mistake from the spot – his second penalty conversion in as many games, each of which had come about through VAR intervention.
The awarding of the spot kick may have been controversial, but at this stage Bayern were good value for their lead, having imposed themselves from the fist whistle and knocked Altinordu out of their stride.
The goal appeared to wake the Turks up. Belatedly finding their rhythm, they should have levelled on the half hour when a high free kick from wide on the right found Salih Kavrazli completely unmarked 12 yards out. However, the big striker’s misdirected header flew well wide of the target.
As it transpired, they didn’t have to wait much longer. Kavrazli took the ball on the left wing, and powered all the way to the byline before cutting back to Enis Destan, who made no mistake from 10 yards.
Soon after the restart, Kavrazli should have given his side the lead, when he was first onto a low ball from the left, but he miskicked from six yards out.
Bayern went straight down the other end and also went close, with Yusuf Kabadayi dragging his shot just wide of the far post.
With time running out and tension rising, Bayern desperately needed a goal. They went close when a goalmouth scramble followed a lofted free kick, but Altinordu
keeper Emirhan Emir eventually managed to pluck the ball out of the air.
Despite the pressure, the Izmir youngsters looked well in control. Kavrazli had performed superbly throughout, providing a continuous attacking threat. With five minutes remaining, he set off on another powerful run down the left before delivering a precise low cross to Tunahan Ozturk, who was just about to pull the trigger and score a certain goal when Kabadayi got back brilliantly to make a last-ditch tackle.
In the last minute of normal time, the stage was set for a dramatic finale when Qnil Doyuran was sent off for a second bookable offence, leaving Altinordu with four minutes of added time to survive. In the event, they did so comfortably, with Ozturk almost stealing a win with the last kick of the match.
Aspire Academy will provide the opposition for the Turks in the second of Sunday’s quarter-finals. With both sides in fine form, a winner is difficult to predict. For Bayern, meanwhile, it is very much a case of what might have been.