Honours even in first Sport Republic meeting

Carlos Alcaraz struck a second-half equaliser for Saints, who had trailed at the interval to Yalçin Kayan’s fortuitous opener for the Turkish side, who were beaten in the play-offs last season in pursuit of an immediate return to the Süper Lig.

James Ward-Prowse had the chance to level the scores shortly before Russell Martin made a raft of changes on the hour, only to miscue a penalty when the pitch appeared to give way beneath his standing foot.

Taking place at the 9,000-capacity Bornova Aziz Kocaoğlu Stadium in Izmir, which is 13 miles west of Göztepe’s traditional home and was around half full, there was still a feverish atmosphere to greet both sets of players, who posed for a photo together before kick-off.

The noisy natives were welcoming, unfurling a giant banner that read “together we are a strong family”, with the Göztepe and Saints club badges merging in the middle.

James Ward-Prowse was denied by a flying save from Saints loanee Mateusz Lis in a lively opening to the contest

The home side responded to their fans with the first attempt at goal, a skidding low drive from 20 yards by Yalçin Kayan that zipped just wide of Gavin Bazunu’s right-hand post.

Saints responded by dominating possession and carving out chances of their own, as Adam Armstrong, again playing in midfield, linked up with Ché Adams, whose lay-off was struck by Ward-Prowse and brilliantly tipped over by Saints loanee Mateusz Lis on his Göztepe debut.

When the visitors kept the pressure on from the ensuing corner, Nathan Tella headed against the post only to be flagged offside, before Kenneth Mamah blazed over from close range in a very lively first 12 minutes.

With temperatures still as high as 35°C at kick-off, which was 8.25pm local time, a drinks break was called after 19 minutes, and Saints made their first change with half an hour on the clock, as Sékou Mara replaced Kamari Doyle, who was only thrust into the starting line-up due to Moussa Djenepo falling ill.

By that time Göztepe were in front. Whether Kayan deliberately found the gap inside Gavin Bazunu’s near post, only he will know, but with the goalkeeper expecting a cross, the low ball deceived him and the army of red and yellow Turkish fans were celebrating.

A healthy contingent of travelling Saints fans played their part in creating an impressive atmosphere in Izmir

The Turkish side, who changed their whole XI at the interval, might have doubled their lead early in the second half when Lyanco was beaten by the bounce on a dry, bobbly pitch, allowing Englishman Romal Palmer to race through unopposed, but the former Barnsley man dragged his shot horribly wide.

After Saints had come close to equalising through an own goal following some pinball in the Göztepe box, Mara was tripped and Ward-Prowse was invited to level things up from the penalty spot, only to lose his footing and sky his shot.

The missed spot-kick prompted another drinks break and a raft of substitutions just after the hour mark, including the re-emergence of Doyle.

Within three minutes of the changes, Alcaraz struck a tremendous equaliser with his first touch, lashing home a half-cleared corner with an accurate low shot back across the goalkeeper with his left foot.

Saints continued to move the ball from side to side and through the thirds to create a chance to win the game, and nobody came closer than 16-year-old Sam Amo-Ameyaw, who jinked his way into the box only to steer his low shot fractionally wide of the far post.

Göztepe first half: Lis, Bayrak, Nukan, Serbest, Dere, Koybasi, Kayan, Palmer, Traore, Mamah, Ngalina.

Göztepe second half: Ozcimen, Kaan, Erkam, Erhan, Taha, Emre, Tugbey, Furkan, Tijanic, Diallo, Kvasina.

Goal: Kayan 26.

Saints: Bazunu (McCarthy 46), Livramento (Bree 61), Lyanco (Bednarek 61), Stephens (Salisu 61), Walker-Peters (Meghoma 61), Ward-Prowse (Aribo 61), Smallbone (Amo-Ameyaw 61), A. Armstrong (Alcaraz 61), Tella (Lavia 46), Adams (Doyle 61), Doyle (Mara 31).

Goal: Alcaraz 64.

Yellow cards: Lyanco 47, Lavia 68.