ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish football club Amedspor came from behind to defeat Samsunspor 2-1 away on Saturday, moving provisionally to the top of Turkey's Super League in another remarkable result during its debut season in the country's top division.
The victory, secured by goals from Gift Orban and Dia Saba, lifted the Amed (Diyarbakir)-based club to 20 points from nine matches, one point ahead of Turkish giants Galatasaray, who have a game in hand.
The defeat left Samsunspor in 17th place with four points, while Amedspor climbed to the top of the standings, pending the results of the remaining ninth-round fixtures.
The result marked another milestone for Amedspor, which secured promotion to Turkey's top flight for the first time in its history in May after finishing second in the country's second division with 74 points.
The club has enjoyed an impressive start to its maiden Super League campaign, including a historic 3-2 victory over Istanbul giants Besiktas in September, which also sent Amedspor to the top of the standings.
Amedspor, which adopted its current name in 2014, has developed a large following among Kurds in Turkey and abroad, with many supporters viewing the club as a symbol of Kurdish identity and cultural pride.
Its historic promotion in May sparked celebrations across Kurdish-majority cities in Turkey and beyond, with tens of thousands gathering in Amed to celebrate the achievement.
The club's success has also fueled growing demand for its merchandise. In September, supporters told Rudaw that Amedspor jerseys were selling out across the city, with some fans purchasing shirts to send to relatives abroad.
Amedspor will host Eyupspor in its next league fixture, seeking to maintain its strong start to the season.
