ISTANBUL (Interstat) — A first-half red card for Amed Sportif defender Hasan Ali Kaldırım dramatically altered the trajectory of a 1. Lig match on Thursday, forcing the visiting promotion contenders to settle for a 1-1 draw against a resilient Sariyer side at Yusuf Ziya Öniş Stadyumu.

The result, which defied pre-game statistical projections, saw Amed Sportif’s record move to 16 wins, five losses and five draws in league play this season. Sariyer’s record now stands at nine wins, 13 losses and five draws.

Amed Sportif, which had thrashed Sariyer 2-0 in the reverse fixture in September, started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 16th minute. Striker Marcos Silva found the net to give the visitors an early advantage, capitalizing on their control of possession.

The game’s pivotal moment arrived just before the hour mark. In the 60th minute, Amed Sportif’s veteran left-back Hasan Ali Kaldırım was shown a straight red card, forcing his team to play the final half-hour with 10 men. Kaldırım had already been cautioned in the 44th minute.

Sariyer, sensing an opportunity, increased pressure on the shorthanded opponent. The home side’s breakthrough came from a substitute, as forward Mbaye Diagne provided the crucial assist for the equalizer. The goal was officially credited as an own goal, pulling Sariyer level and setting up a tense finale.

The match grew increasingly fractious as time wound down, with four yellow cards issued in the final 10 minutes alone. Sariyer substitute Erce Kardeşler, who also recorded an assist, was booked in the 81st minute. Amed Sportif’s Emeka Friday Eze and Oleksandr Syrota received cautions in the 86th and 89th minutes, respectively.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Amed Sportif managed to see out the match and secure a point, extending their unbeaten run in the league. The draw halted Sariyer’s two-game losing skid and provided a valuable point in their efforts to climb the table.

The outcome contrasted sharply with pre-game analytics. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 2-1 victory for Amed Sportif, while its ELO rating system had given Sariyer a 64.8% probability to win.

Amed Sportif will look to rebound quickly when they host Vanspor FK on Monday. Sariyer’s next challenge is a home fixture against Adana Demirspor, also scheduled for Monday.