Duzcespor secured a hard-fought 1-0 away win against Zonguldak in their Turkish Cup tie on October 7, 2026. A second-half penalty proved decisive in a match that was short on clear chances but high on tension.

Match Overview

The first half was a scrappy affair, with both teams struggling to keep possession on a difficult pitch. Zonguldak, playing at home, had the better of the early exchanges but failed to test the Duzcespor goalkeeper. Duzcespor grew into the game and began to find space on the wings, but their crosses were well defended. The best chance of the first half fell to Zonguldak's striker in the 34th minute, but his low shot was saved well by the visiting keeper. The teams went into the break level, with the game finely balanced.

Key Moments

The deadlock was broken in the 54th minute when Duzcespor was awarded a penalty after a handball in the box. Mert Aksoy stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Zonguldak responded with urgency, pushing more men forward, and they thought they had equalized in the 72nd minute when a header found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. That decision sparked protests from the home players, but the referee stood firm. Duzcespor defended resolutely in the closing stages to hold on for the win.

Tactical Story

Duzcespor's game plan was built on defensive solidity and counter-attacking. They sat deep, allowing Zonguldak to have the ball in harmless areas, and then looked to spring forward quickly. The penalty gave them a lead to protect, and they dropped even deeper, forming a compact block that Zonguldak found impossible to break down. The home side's lack of width and creativity in the final third was their undoing, as they resorted to hopeful crosses that were easily cleared.

Standout Players

• Mert Aksoy (Duzcespor): The match-winner, who showed nerves of steel from the penalty spot.
• Onur Kılıç (Duzcespor): The goalkeeper made two crucial saves, including a one-on-one stop in the second half, to preserve the clean sheet.
• Serkan Yıldız (Zonguldak): The midfielder worked tirelessly, but he lacked support in attack and was often crowded out.

What It Means

Duzcespor move on to the next round of the TUR Kupası, where they will hope for a favorable draw. The victory was built on discipline and a bit of luck, but they will take heart from a clean sheet on the road. Zonguldak's cup journey ends here, and they will now turn their attention to their league fixtures, where they will look to improve their consistency. The narrow defeat will sting, but the disallowed goal will be a talking point for some time.