Istanbul: Galatasaray defeated Kocaelispor 1-0 at home on Sunday to maintain their lead in the Turkish Super Lig after five matches. Captain Abdlkerim Bardakci scored the only goal of the match in the 71st minute after the hosts had twice hit the woodwork and seen an early goal ruled out following a VAR review.

According to Anadolu Agency, the hosts initially thought they had taken the lead in the 12th minute after Lucas Torreira's long-range effort was parried by Kocaelispor goalkeeper Serhat Oztasdelen. Rafael Leao collected the rebound and sent a looping effort against the crossbar before Deniz Gl headed the loose ball into the net. However, the goal was disallowed following a VAR review for a foul by Deniz on Oztasdelen.

Deniz went close again in the 31st minute when his left-footed effort from a difficult angle struck the right post. Kocaelispor responded seven minutes later on a fast break, with Dan Agyei hitting the left post from the left side of the penalty area. Galatasaray increased the pressure toward the end of the first half, but Oztasdelen denied Leao and then produced another save to keep out Abdlkerim's close-range header as the teams went into halftime goalless.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 71st minute when Abdulkerim Bardakci scored with a powerful low left-footed strike from long range. Galatasaray nearly doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Roland Sallai's direct free kick was tipped onto the crossbar by Oztasdelen, who then helped clear the danger. Kocaelispor could not find an equalizer in the closing stages as Galatasaray held on for their fourth victory in five league matches. The result moved Galatasaray to 13 points and kept them top of the Super Lig standings, while Kocaelispor remain on nine points.