Under the lights in Konya, a friendly match became a night of tribute and solidarity. Around 42,000 people filled the city’s metropolitan stadium on Wednesday as Konyaspor faced the Palestine national team in an event staged for Palestine Day.
A symbolic evening in Konya
The stands carried large banners honouring athletes and journalists killed in the war in Gaza. The occasion drew a full crowd in central Turkey, with the match presented as more than a sporting fixture.
- Konyaspor made a rapid start when Melih Ibrahimoglu scored in the second minute.
- Palestine responded through Mohammed Sandouqa, who levelled after 12 minutes.
- Sandouqa then put the visitors ahead with his second goal in the 25th minute.
- Mostafa Mohamed brought Konyaspor back level three minutes later, making it 2-2.
- No further goals followed, leaving the Palestinian side with a draw in a match marked by its wider message.
Clock halted before full time
The fixture was not allowed to run to its usual conclusion. The clock was stopped at 89 minutes and 59 seconds, in a deliberate gesture by the organisers and broadcaster.
A message displayed inside the stadium said that the match had been postponed until Palestine was free. The broadcaster explained the decision by saying: “In Palestine, it is not only matches that are stopped before the end; lives, dreams and childhoods are stopped too.”
Turkish president praises the event
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the staging of the game, describing it as an exceptional example of fraternity, solidarity and unity of feeling between the countries involved.
He added that Turkey would continue to show its solidarity in the strongest possible way.
