International Club Friendly – Eyupspor Edge Past Mardin 1969 Spor 1-0 in Pre‑Season Clash

Eyupspor continued their pre‑season preparations with a narrow 1‑0 victory over Mardin 1969 Spor at the Eyüp Stadium on July 20, 2026. The match, played under warm summer conditions at 22:30 local time, served as a valuable test for both sides as they fine‑tune their tactics ahead of the upcoming competitive campaigns. A single first‑half goal proved enough to separate the teams in a contest that featured plenty of attacking intent but lacked clinical finishing.

Match Overview

The game began at a lively tempo, with Eyupspor immediately asserting authority through their experienced midfield. Manager Mehmet Yılmaz deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, encouraging his full‑backs to overlap and create width. Mardin 1969 Spor, under new coach Hasan Şahin, sat deep in a compact 4-4-2 block, looking to absorb pressure and exploit counter‑attacking opportunities. The first 20 minutes saw Eyupspor dominate possession but struggle to find the final ball against a disciplined Mardin defence.

Key Moments

• 28th minute – Goal! Eyupspor 1-0 Mardin 1969 Spor: The breakthrough came when Eyupspor’s right winger, Caner Erkin, picked up the ball on the flank, cut inside onto his left foot, and unleashed a powerful low drive from 20 yards that took a slight deflection off a defender and nestled into the bottom corner. The goalkeeper was wrong‑footed and could only watch as the ball rolled past him.
• 42nd minute – Mardin’s best chance: A quick break from Mardin saw striker Samet Akaydin race onto a through ball, but his angled shot was well saved by Eyupspor goalkeeper Onurcan Piri, who spread himself wide to block.
• 68th minute – Double substitution by Eyupspor: Yılmaz introduced fresh legs, bringing on two young attackers to test the tiring Mardin defence. The changes injected pace but neither side could create clear‑cut chances in the final quarter.

Tactical Observations

Eyupspor looked sharp in possession, particularly through central midfielders Emre Kılınç and Oğuzhan Özyakup, who dictated the rhythm. However, they sometimes became predictable in the final third, relying too heavily on crosses from the flanks. Mardin 1969 Spor defended resiliently, with centre‑back pairing Emre Taşdemir and Fatih Aksoy winning most aerial duels. On the counter, Mardin showed glimpses of danger but lacked a cutting edge in the final pass. The second half saw both teams rotate freely, with Eyupspor controlling territory without extending the scoreline.

Standout Players

• Caner Erkin (Eyupspor): The goalscorer was a constant menace down the right, using his dribbling ability to create space and deliver dangerous crosses. His goal was a moment of individual quality.
• Onurcan Piri (Eyupspor): The goalkeeper was alert when called upon, making a crucial save in the first half and commanding his area confidently on set pieces.
• Fatih Aksoy (Mardin 1969 Spor): The centre‑back put in a tireless shift, making several important clearances and organising the defensive line throughout the 90 minutes.

Season Preparations and Context

For Eyupspor, this friendly was part of a five‑match pre‑season schedule designed to build match fitness and integrate new signings. The win extends their unbeaten run in friendlies to three games, with Yılmaz expressing satisfaction with the team’s defensive shape and set‑piece work. Mardin 1969 Spor, meanwhile, will take heart from a solid defensive display and the ability to frustrate a team from a higher division. The result will provide both coaching staffs with plenty of data as they finalise their squads ahead of the league kick‑off in August.