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Besiktas 1 Bolton Wanderers 1
By Mark Heys October 21 2005
An injury plagued Bolton Wanderers team got their UEFA Cup group stage off to the most positive start as they drew 1-1 in the hostile surroundings of the Inonu Stadium against Besiktas.

Mexican Jared Borgetti once again proved to be the European hero as he slammed home a 29th minute equaliser to cancel out a seventh minute strike from fellow South American Ailton.

Sam Allardyce was without a number of his regular first team stars meaning that there was a first start of the season for Khalilou Fadiga and many other fringe players where given opportunities to impress.

On four minutes striker Ailton gave the Wanderers a taste of what was to come as he headed over a good chance following a dangerous left wing cross coming from Ibrahim Akin.

Confusion between Bolton captain Tal Ben-Haim and his team mates Joey O'Brien and Abdoulaye Faye allowed midfielder Tumer Metin to gain control of the possession and slot the ball through to Ailton who made no mistake.

Fadiga then had a chance to bring the Wanderers back on level terms when his fine long range effort was saved well by the outstretched Besiktas goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba.

Just before the half hour mark Bolton's determination paid off as Borgetti produced an excellent finish following a right wing centre from fellow forward El-Hadji Diouf.

The atmosphere inside the Inonu Stadium was electric and Wanderers did not allow the occasion to overawe them as they gave a spirited and wholehearted performance which helped to stop a recent blip in form.

If anything the atmosphere was to help the away side finish the first period as the stronger side as Bolton played some good football and stood firm to anything which Besiktas had to offer.

There was a home onslaught at the start of the second half but the Trotters managed to ride the storm as Akin's shot amongst others was to go wide of Ian Walker's goal.

El Hadji Diouf thought he had won the game for the Wanderers but his effort was ruled out as the referee's assistant had spotted an infringement when Bolton were en-route to goal.

World Cup winner Kleberson could have won the game for the hosts in the final couple of minutes but the former Manchester United man could only fire his effort wide of the Bolton goal.

Zenit defeated Guimaeres in the other Group H fixture as Sevilla received a bye until the next game meaning Wanderers lie joint second at this early stage. A very satisfactory performance in Turkey against a side who had a wealth of European experience.

Bolton Wanderers: Ian Walker, Tal Ben-Haim, Radhi Jaidi, Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye, Ricardo Gardner, Hidetoshi Nakata, Fabrice Fernandes (Kevin Nolan), Joey O'Brien, Khalilou Fadiga, El-Hadji Diouf, Jared Borgetti

Subs Not Used: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bruno N'Gotty, Henrik Pedersen, Kevin Davies, Ricardo Vaz-Te, Jarostaw Fojut

Besiktas: Oscar Cordoba, Adem Dursun, Ibrahim Toroman (Gokan Zan, Mustafa Dogan), Cagdas Atan, Mustafa Koray Avci, Ibrahim Akin, Tayfur Havutcu, Kleberson, Tumer Metin (Ibrahim Uzulmez), Ahmed Hassan, Ailton

Subs Not Used: Murat Sahin, Ali Gunes, Veysel Cihan, Ahmet Dursun

Referee:

Ruud Bossen

Attendance:

Booked:

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