Season of Torment Continues as Besiktas Advances

The 100th year of Fenerbahce was supposed to be a memorable one; a season for the ages filled with glory and awards. Instead, it is turning out to be one that Fener fans will want to forget. The season of torment continued today as Besiktas advanced past Fenerbahce on 2-1 aggregate to move to the Fortis Turkish Cup final. Fenerbahce allowed a late goal from former Yellow Canary Marcio "Mert" Nobre only minutes before the end of the first stoppage time.

The last time that Fenerbahce put together a true offensive show was in October, with a 4-1 victory over Kayserispor. It gave Fener fans a glimmer of hope, believing this high-powered offensive team was finally coming to life. Since that game, Fenerbahce has sunk into an offensive abyss, barely able to score a goal. That trend continued today although they were playing in front of a raucous crowd ready to cheer on their side. Despite having the goal-scoring tandem of Tuncay Sanli, Mateja Kezman, Semih Senturk, Marco Aurelio, and Alex de Souza, the Canaries could only find one goal from former Black Eagle Tumer Metin. His goal early in the second half gave Fener fans hope, but their hearts sank as former Fenerbahce standout Marcio Nobre put BJK in tremendous position with his goal in extra time.

The drought of Fortis Turkish Cup-less seasons continues as Besiktas will move on to play surprising Kayseri Erciyesspor in the final. Fenerbahce has not won the cup since 1983, and for the first time in three years fails to even make the final game. Fenerbahce today received yellow cards from Onder Turaci, Marco Aurelio, Tumer Metin, and Diego Lugano. Lugano also picked up his second yellow card moments before the final whistle, resulting in an automatic red card.

Fenerbahce must now figure out a way to put the devastating loss behind them and get ready for visitors Denizlispor this weekend in Kadikoy. The immense pressure on Fenerbahce is only escalated now as they must win their final five games and hold off Besiktas from taking another title from the Canaries.