Dia Saba Scores as Emad Rises to Top of Turkish League

The Turkish football league is experiencing a notable summer in 2026, with high-profile players like Mohamed Salah, Ederson, and Mason Greenwood joining the country's clubs. However, it is a newly promoted team, Emadspor, that currently leads the standings.

Emadspor, led by Israeli player Dia Saba, secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Besiktas on Sunday. Saba scored the team's second goal with a well-placed shot from outside the box, propelling Emadspor to the top of the league with 15 points from six matches. This win places them ahead of Galatasaray, who have 13 points, and Besiktas, who are third with 12 points.

Besiktas fielded a lineup including Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Nübel, Wout Weghorst, Ozan Tufan, and Tiago Djaló. Gift Orban opened the scoring for Emadspor in the 13th minute and assisted Saba's goal in the 22nd. Vlahovic pulled one back for Besiktas in the 55th minute, but Furkan Soylap restored Emadspor's two-goal lead in the 59th. A penalty from Tufan in the 98th minute finalized the score.

Turkish media hailed the victory, with reports stating, "Dia Saba and his teammates didn't ease up, even when numerically disadvantaged. This team can still win the championship. You simply cannot leave Saba unmarked." Popular commentator Guni Britak described Saba as having "a feel for the game," comparing him to a player who can surprise everyone with a single moment of brilliance.

Despite the team's success, Saba remained grounded after the match. "We worked well in the first half, the game could have ended 2-0, but I am very satisfied. We are in first place, but it is very early in the season. We worked hard in every game to get here," he stated.