Israeli Star Dia Saba Leads Turkish Club to Top of League

Israeli footballer Dia Saba scored a dramatic winning goal in the 84th minute on Saturday, securing a 2-1 victory for his team, Ümraniyespor, against Samsunspor. This crucial win propelled his team to at least temporarily claim the first position in the Turkish League standings.

Following the match, Ümraniyespor's coach, Tuncay Şanlı, lauded Saba's performance, stating, "We must thank Dia Saba for the amazing goals he scores. He always scores beautiful goals, and I hope it continues like this. We have to focus on him; he scored an amazing goal, every goal he scores is amazing, he simply doesn't score ordinary goals. I am very happy."

Turkish media also celebrated the Israeli player, who has now scored five goals in nine league games this season. TV 55 noted Saba's signature move, describing how he "took the ball with his left foot, cut to the middle, and sent it to the far corner," attributing the goal to defensive lapses that allowed him space. İlke TV praised his "technique and calmness" under pressure, calling it "very impressive" and noting his composure in a tense moment.

Journalist Ali Ferahbot of Beinsport went as far as to call Saba "the Maradona of Ümraniyespor" after his "simply crazy" goal. Another journalist, Ali Piker İshak, highlighted Saba's intense focus, suggesting he looked the goalkeeper directly in the eye before scoring, as if to say, "Look, brother, I'm putting the ball in this corner. Go ahead, do what you can." İshak described the goalkeeper's reaction as one of "absolute sadness and helplessness."