Oktay Derelioğlu

Oktay Derelioğlu (born 17 December 1975) is a Turkish football manager and former player.

Derelioğlu played as a forward and is notable for his goal for the Turkey national team against Belgium during the qualifying rounds of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The goal started at midfield before Derelioğlu jinked past six Belgian defenders, one of them twice, mimicking Diego Maradona's "Goal of the Century".

Derelioğlu holds the record for most goals in European competitions for Beşiktaş with 14.

Club career

Early club career (1990–1993) Derelioğlu was born in Istanbul and began his club career with local club Fatih Karagümrük. He made his debut at the age of 14, coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute. In two seasons with the club, Derelioğlu netted five times in 20 matches. Trabzonspor transferred him the following season. With Trabzonspor, Derelioğlu did not find many chances, featuring twice in his first and only season with the club. He scored four times in three matches for the youth team. Beşiktaş transferred him at the start of the 1993–94 season.

Beşiktaş (1993–1998) Derelioğlu made his debut on 29 August 1993, starting alongside the likes of Feyyaz Uçar, Sergen Yalçın, and Rıza Çalımbay. Derelioğlu scored nine times in 27 matches during his first season. Derelioğlu continued scoring at that rate before breaking out during the 1996–97 season, netting 22 times in the league and four times in cup competitions.

Derelioğlu spent two months with the club before returning to Turkey, making two appearances. Derelioğlu was the subject of controversy with the Spanish club, getting into a physical altercation with then-captain Vinny Samways during a training session. He also complained that his teammates were not passing the ball to him.

Derelioğlu moved back to Turkey during the winter transfer window and made 18 appearances for four different clubs in two-and-a-half seasons.

International career Derelioğlu started his international career with the Turkey U-16 squad in 1990. He was also capped at U-17, U-18, and U-21 levels, totaling 65 caps and 33 goals at youth level. He earned his first senior call-up in 1995, and scored nine goals in 18 caps from 1995 to 2001.

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 10 November 1996 Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey 1–0 7–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification 2. 2–0 3. 3–0 4. 4–0 5. 30 April 1997 1–2 1–3 6. 21 January 1998 Atatürk Stadium, Antalya, Turkey 1–3 1–4 Friendly 7. 5 September 1998 Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey 1–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying 8. 3–0 9. 2 June 2001 İnönü Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey 2–0 3–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification