MANISA, Turkiye (Interstat) — In a frenetic and physical opening match of the 1. Lig season, Manisa FK and Ankara Kecio played to a 2-2 draw Saturday at 19 Mayıs Stadyumu, a result that saw both sides share the points after a match featuring three goals in the opening 22 minutes.

The contest, which defied a pregame projection of a 1-1 draw by Interstat, began at a blistering pace. Ankara Kecio’s Haqi Osman, entering the match as a substitute, stunned the home crowd by opening the scoring in just the fourth minute, capitalizing on early disorganization in the Manisa defense.

Manisa FK responded with force. Midfielder Yassine Benrahou leveled the score in the 21st minute, finishing an assist from defender Christophe Hérelle. The momentum swung entirely to the hosts just one minute later, as forward Bobby Adekanye put Manisa FK ahead 2-1, converting a pass from defender Ayberk Karapo.

The rapid sequence of goals was preceded by the game’s first booking, a yellow card shown to Ankara Kecio’s Hérelle in the 20th minute for a tactical foul.

The second half saw both teams struggle to maintain the offensive fireworks of the first period, with the match growing increasingly tense. Ankara Kecio manager’s substitutions proved decisive. In the 75th minute, a foul by Manisa’s Karapo resulted in his booking and gave Ankara Kecio a dangerous set-piece opportunity. The visitors found their equalizer through another substitute, Júnior Fernándes, who scored in the 89th minute off an assist from fellow substitute Ali Dere.

The late goal ignited a fractious close to the match. Dere received a yellow card in the 89th minute for his role in the ensuing celebrations, and Ankara Kecio’s Erkam Develi, who provided the secondary assist on the tying goal, was booked in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils, leaving both teams with identical records to start their 1. Lig campaigns: 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. The result also mirrored their overall records across all competitions this season.

Interstat’s ELO rating system had given Manisa FK, playing at home, a 56.3 percent probability of securing a victory. However, Ankara Kecio’s resilience, particularly through impactful performances off the bench, ensured they departed with a hard-earned point from their season opener.

The match showcased the immediate contributions of substitutes, with Ankara Kecio’s Osman and Fernándes accounting for both of their team’s goals, assisted by Develi and Dere. For Manisa FK, the established starters Benrahou and Adekanye provided the offense, facilitated by defenders Hérelle and Karapo pushing into the attack.

The physical nature of the contest was reflected in the four yellow cards issued by the officiating crew, setting a combative tone for both clubs as they begin their respective seasons in the Turkish second division.