Dia Saba Scores as Umraniyespor Claims Turkish League Lead

Turkish football is experiencing a notable summer in 2026, with high-profile players like Mohamed Salah, Ederson, and Mason Greenwood arriving in the country. Amidst this influx, a newly promoted team, Umraniyespor, has surprisingly surged to the top of the league standings.

Umraniyespor, led by Israeli midfielder Dia Saba, secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Beşiktaş on Sunday. Saba himself contributed significantly, scoring the team's second goal with a well-placed shot from outside the penalty area. This win propelled Umraniyespor to first place in the Turkish Super Lig with 15 points from six matches.

The victory places Umraniyespor ahead of Galatasaray, who are second with 13 points, and Beşiktaş, who are third with 12 points. Beşiktaş fielded a lineup including Dušan Vlahović, Alexander Nübel, and Talisca. Umraniyespor's goals came from Gift Orban in the 13th minute, assisted by Saba in the 22nd, and then a strike from Forlan in the 59th minute after Vlahović had pulled one back for Beşiktaş in the 55th. A penalty from Kökçü in the 98th minute finalized the score.

Turkish media lauded the win, with reports highlighting Umraniyespor's resilience, particularly their ability to maintain their advantage despite playing with a numerical disadvantage at times. Commentators praised Saba's footballing intelligence, with one popular pundit comparing him to a surprisingly skillful older player who can consistently deliver moments of brilliance.

Despite the team's success, Saba remained grounded, emphasizing the early stage of the season. "We worked well in the first half, the game could have ended 2-0, but I am very satisfied," Saba stated. "We are in first place, but we are at a very early stage of the season. We worked hard in every game to get here."