Unseen defensive rock steadies Kocaelispor at Samsunspor | OneFootball

Botond Balogh led a resolute rearguard, his blocks and clearances underpinning Kocaelispor's 0-0 draw at Samsunspor.

Balogh set the tone in the first half, reading crosses early and stepping in front of goalbound efforts to keep the hosts at arm's length. His positioning repeatedly shut down space in the six-yard channel as pressure mounted.

After the restart he continued to win his duels and attack deliveries, heading and hacking danger away as Samsunspor worked a flurry of corners. His willingness to throw himself at shots stalled the home side's best surges.

He finished with seven clearances, four blocks and three aerials won, plus 29 accurate passes from 36. Those interventions mattered: Samsunspor registered 16 attempts with eight blocked and forced nine corners, yet Kocaelispor allowed only one effort on target.

Kocaelispor's compact 4-1-4-1 gave Balogh the platform to meet crosses early and hold the line, ensuring the visitors controlled the key defensive zones when the game became stretched.

Kocaelispor host Fenerbahçe next. Samsunspor visit Kasımpaşa.