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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Coaching merry-go-round Dilemma in the Turkish League


The Turkcell Super League coaching carousel is in full spin....

It has been only ten weeks, that Turkish Turkcell Super League started. Instead of talking about quality of soccer playing in Turkey, we are talking about coaches coming and coaches going!....
Consistency, in coaching goes hand and hand with the quality of soccer in Turkey.

Out of 18 teams in the Turkcell Super League ,8 of them has some thing in common!..
They all have changed their coaches more than once!...
Kasimpasaspor,Ankaraspor,Bursaspor, Genclerbirligi,Rzespor,Konyaspor,Trabzonspor,and Ankaragucu.

It's the coaching merry-go-round, it's the way the sport is in Turkey. The coach is always going to be the first one with his job on the line (if things aren't going well).


In the recent changes, well known name Ersun Yanal signed a 3 year contract with Trabzonspor on this past weekend. He might be good coach...I have no doubt about that. My problem is with club's board members....how could they hire a new coach , when they know, there is election coming up in a couple months ....what if, the new board members, after the elections,let go Ersun Yanal!.... who would get damage?...The Trabzonspor and Turkish Soccer(Football)....

I don't think Ersun Yanal could help Trabzonspor's problems.....

The city of Trabzon and their fans are really fanatic about their team....They eat and sleep Trabzonspor all day in the city... I know, I have been there....
This Trabzonspor and Ersun Yanal, will play on Tuesday in the Fortis Cup against his former team Vestel Manisaspor.What it is funny!....The man who knows Trabzonspor and born in Trabzon and coached Trabzonspor one time Giray Bulak, is coaching Vestel Manisaspor.....This will be a war between coaches .....

Coaching merry-go-round continues............

Samet Aybaba has signed a three-year contract with Bursaspor, after Bulent Kormaz was sacked.

That, Bulent Korkmaz, signed with Genclerbirligi on Monday after Mr. CavCav, showed the pink slip to Reinhard Stumpf .

Wait ....wait ...its not done yet!.....

Another Ankara team Ankaragucu, sacked their coach Hans Peter Briegel and their former soccer player Hakan Kutlu took the job for now!...

After ten weeks, some coaches like Samet Aybaba, was sacked in the first week than found a job again in the tenth week ..... Bulent Korkmaz was very lucky...He did not wait that long!.... after leaving Bursaspor, he got hired by Genclerbirligi boss,(who makes the team) Mr. Cavcav. For how long?.....I don't think it will be taht long!.....

Some coaches who was sacked was not lucky as Bulent Korkmaz and Samet Aybaba!...
Fuat Capa,Nurullah Sağlam,Kadir Özcan,Aykut Kocaman and Ziya Dogan sacked and did not hired by other teams yet!...

Hikmet Karaman was hired by Ankaraspor after Aykut Kocaman was sacked. Unal Karaman was hired by Konyaspor after letting Nurullah Saglam go...... and Kadir Ozcan was kicked by Kasimpasspor and Lorant Werner was hired.

This will not stop here.....wait and see!....
I'll be here....

AHMET TURGUT

Monday, October 29, 2007

GALATASARAY BACK ON TOP OF TURKISH LEAGUE

Shabani Nonda's last-minute winner has sent Galatasaray top of the Turkcell Super League table with a 2-1 win at Denizlispor.

Nonda opened the scoring on 35 minutes but Roman Kratochvil equalised from the penalty spot three minutes after half-time.Nonda struck again at the death to send Galatasary to the Super League summit.

Sivasspor dropped to second after going down 2-1 at Konyaspor, despite Muhammet Kurtulus giving them a second-minute lead.

Burak Ozsarac and Murat Hacioglu struck to send the home side up to 12th, while Sivasspor are now two points behind the new leaders.

Besiktas missed the chance to go second as they were held to a goalless draw by Istanbul Buyuksehir and they are now three points off the pace.

Ankaragucu are up to seventh after Burak Karaduman's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Caykur Rizespor.

FENERBAHCE ON WINNING TRACK IN THE LEAGUE!.......
Fenerbahce have claimed their fifth victory of the season to move within a point of third-placed Besiktas in the Turkish Super League .Fenerbahce won 2-1 at Kasimpasa with two goals in the first 13 minutes through Tumer Metin and Deivid.

Jonathan Tenhoue pulled one back before half-time but the hosts could not breach the visitors' defence again as Fenerbahce held on.Bottom-of-the-table Ankaraspor earned their first victory of the season with a 2-0 win over Genclerbirligi.Mehmet Yilmaz put the hosts ahead after 11 minutes, but the win was not secured until substitute Ferdi Elmas added a second in stoppage time.Genclerbirligi OFTAS won 2-0 at Manisaspor. Serkan Atak scored after 17 minutes but the visitors had Savas Esen sent off on the hour to put victory in doubt.However, substitute Ibrahim Sahin added a second in the 90th minute as Genclerbirligi OFTAS claimed a fourth win of the season.Elsewhere, Bursaspor and Gaziantepspor shared a 1-1 draw.Velice Sumulikoski put Bursaspor in front after 17 minutes but the visitors were level before half-time.Erdal Kilicaslan scored a 42nd-minute penalty after Ismail Gulduren had been sent off.

Kayserispor climb up to fifth!..........


Kayserispor have climbed up to fifth in the Turkcell Super League following a 1-0 win over 10-man Trabzonspor.

The visitors found themselves a man down after the 66th-minute dismissal of Ibrahima Yattara, and Kayserispor capitalised in the dying seconds with substitute Kemal Okyay scoring the winner.

The result sees Kayserispor move two places and three points above their opponents.

WEEK 10: Results........

Kayserispor 1- 0 Trabzonspor

Ankaraspor 2- 0 Genclerbirligi

Bursaspor 1-1 Gaziantepspor

Vestel Manisaspor 0- 2 Gencerbirligi Oftas

Kasımpasa 1- 2 Fenerbahce

Ankaragucu 1- 0 Rizespor

Konyaspor 2-1 Sivasspor

Besiktas 0- 0 Buyuksehir

Denizlispor 1- 2 Galatasaray

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Bordeaux 2-1 Galatasaray

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh scored one goal and created another to help his side complete a second-half comeback and claim victory over Galatasaray at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Chamakh helped his side get their UEFA Cup Group H campaign off to a winning start by first picking out strike partner Fernando Cavenaghi to equalise Shabani Nonda's first-half penalty.

The 23-year-old Morocco international then got on the scoresheet himself with a powerful header from inside the penalty area.

The early stages of the match though were largely uneventful and a long-range shot from Chamakh in the seventh minute was the closest either side came to scoring.

Galatasaray opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after Nonda was brought down in the penalty area.

The Democratic Republic of Congo then stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick and slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net past goalkeeper Ulrich Rame.

Nonda came close to doubling his side's advantage four minutes before the break but he could only direct his shot from inside the six-yard box wide of the post.

Bordeaux began the second half with more purpose and equalised in the 53rd minute after good work down the left flank by Chamakh.

His cross picked out Cavenaghi and the Argentinian striker struck the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net from just inside the centre of the penalty area.

The Ligue 1 side then took the lead 11 minutes later with a bullet header from the influential Chamakh.

Full-back Florian Marange delivered a dangerous cross from the the left which was met by the head of Chamakh and he directed the ball into the top-right corner and past goalkeeper Orkun Usak.

Bordeaux midfielder Johan Micoud almost made it 3-1 in the 70th minute when his cross-cum-shot forced Usak to make a smart save.

The lively Nonda remained a constant threat for the visitors and was unlucky to see his shot from 18-yards fly over the bar in the 74th minute but Bordeaux held on to take the points.

Bordeaux v Galatasaray: Preview

Turkish giants Galatasaray head to Bordeaux looking to avenge last season's Champions League defeat at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

After a goalless draw in Istanbul, the French side triumphed 3-1 at home in the group stages last term.

But as the two clubs gear up to face each other in their UEFA Cup Group H opener, Bordeaux midfielder Marouane Chamakh knows that this season's clash will be a tough tie.

``This game on Thursday and the match against Valenciennes on Saturday will be important for the rest of the season,'' he told the club's official website www.girondins.com. ``We have to get positive results.

``It's a pleasure to meet Galatasaray again because they are a big team on the European circuit.

``I think the supporters will enjoy a very good game because for the players these matches are always interesting to play in.''

Galatasaray go into this clash full of confidence having not lost a league match all season.

But their great start to the campaign came slightly unstuck in the second leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie, as they slipped to 3-2 defeat at Swiss side FC Sion.

However, coach Karl-Heinz Feldkamp will not be too troubled by this result having triumphed 5-1 in the first leg.

With Austria Vienna, Panionios and Helsingborg all vying for a spot in the next round Chamakh knows that a good start at home is vital.

``It's always better to start at home to give you added confidence,'' he added.

``We need a good match to launch our European campaign and act as a reference point for the upcoming games.

``I hope the arrival of Galatasaray can help us achieve that

BESIKTAS 2 -1 LIVERPOOL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

BESIKTAS FIRST GOAL AGAINST LIVERPOOL IN ISTANBUL,INONU STADIUM.



BESIKTAS SINKS LIVERPOOL WITH BOBO'S GOAL......2-0


LIVERPOOL'S ONLY GOAL BY GERRARD.....2-1


Wednesday, October 24, 2007

BESIKTAS DEMOLISH LIVERPOOL IN ISTANBUL!..


Besiktas beat Liverpool 2-1 in their Champions League Group a match on Wednesday .

My Besiktas started the match very strong and took the lead in the 13th minute with a Sami Hyypia own goal after Serdar Ozkan shot deflected in off the Liverpool defender.

Bobo doubled the lead after 82 minutes,after receiving beautiful pass from Ibrahim Uzulmez and firing a shot in through the legs of Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard pulled a goal back with a diving header with five minutes remaining but it was not enough to save Liverpool, who languish at the foot of the group with one point from three games. Besiktas earned their first win and point in the group.

Looking back to match, Besiktas played like a team ......from defense to the forwards they were flawless... They worked their buds off...

Defender Ibrahim Uzulmez was my player of the match...
This was a good win for Besiktas and good morel for Turkish people around the world, after a week of sadness....

Besiktas put a smile on Turkish people on Wednesday night...the party will go on until dust tonight....
Well done job!..... boys!...You guys, deserve it!.....

AHMET TURGUT

FENERBAHCE LOSE THE TOP SPOT IN GROUP G

Fenerbahce soccer team of Turkey drew with PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands 0-0 in the European Champions League second match Group G in Eindhoven on Tuesday.

Until the dismissal of Deivid, who was shown a straight red card in the 64th minute for kicking an opponent, Fenerbahce had dominated the match but could not fashion a goal.


The draw saw the Turkish side slip to second place in the group a point behind Inter Milan, who moved top on six points after a 2-1 win at CSKA Moscow in Tuesday's early match.


PSV stay in third place with four points from their three matches above the Russian side who have just a point.

"It was a fair result after an irritating match that never had any tempo because there were too many freekicks," PSV coach Ronald Koeman told reporters.

"We played well for spells but were also very sloppy in our build up. Our final pass and cross were not good enough."

ZICO SATISFIED

PSV also looked shaky in defence but Fenerbahce nevertheless found it hard to translate pressure into clear chances although their manager Zico was happy with a share of the spoils.

"I'm satisfied with a point today," said the Brazilian. "We played well and eliminated their dangerous players. We defended well and also created chances but to win you have to score.

"Our chances in this group are good. We still have two home matches to play and have to make sure we stay in control."

Deivid came closest to scoring for the visitors in the first half when he fired just wide and shortly after the interval Semih Senturk wasted two more chances within a minute.

The striker had a close range effort blocked by Eric Addo after goalkeeper Gomes dropped the ball and seconds later was a whisker away from connecting with a fine cross by Ali Bilgin, who had replaced injured playmaker Alex after 34 minutes.

PSV's best opportunity to snatch all three points came 13 minutes from time when substitute Danny Koevermans headed a Jan Kromkamp cross just wide.

"It is obvious we are not in control (of the group) and the return (on Nov. 7) will be crucial," added Koeman.

We now have to try to turn that result to our advantage."


Referees: Howard Webb, Philip Sharp, Darren Cann (England)
PSV Eindhoven: Gomes, Kromkamp, Addo (Zonneveld), Marcellis, Salcido, Perez, Simons, Mendez (Koevermans), Bakkal (Aissati) , Farfan, Lazovic

Fenerbahce: Volkan Demirel, Gokhan, Lugano, Edu, Roberto Carlos, Deivid, Deniz, Aurelio, Vederson, Alex (Ali), Semih (Kazim)

Yellow Cards: Marcellis, Lazovic, Farfan (PSV Eindhoven), Aurelio, Deniz, Lugano (Fenerbahçe)

Red Card: Deivid (Fenerbahce)

MUST-WIN MATCH FOR LIVERPOOL AND BESIKTAS

COULD BESIKTAS STOP LIVERPOOL?
Liverpool returns to the city where it won the 2005 Champions League title on Wednesday needing a victory in Istanbul to avoid an early exit from this season's competition.

The five-time European champions, who have just one point from their opening two matches, could be in danger of failing to reach the group stage if they falter against Besiktas.

"We need to go there and try to win because we need three points," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said Tuesday.

Liverpool's chances won't be helped by the absence of star striker Fernando Torres, who hasn't recovered from a thigh injury.

After losing in last May's final to AC Milan, the team it beat for the title in 2005, Liverpool is off to a woeful start to this season's campaign and is third in Group A.

A 1-1 draw at FC Porto in September was followed earlier this month by a dire 1-0 defeat to Marseille at Anfield.

"It is difficult," Benitez said. "We will see what happens in the other game (between Porto and Marseille), just wait and keep working, thinking about winning every game."

Besiktas, though, has lost both its matches and is winless in the Champions League in almost four years.

Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam will watch from the stands as he serves a one-match ban. Saglam was punished by UEFA for being sent from the dugout in Besiktas' 1-0 loss to FC Porto.

Benitez said the hostile atmosphere which usually greets visiting English teams in Istanbul can't be used as an excuse.

"We have enough experience in Europe," the Spaniard said before Liverpool flew to Turkey. "I don't think it will be a big problem."

With four matches remaining, the Reds need to start drawing inspiration from their unbeaten start in the domestic league, capped by Saturday's 2-1 victory at crosstown rival Everton.

Liverpool is fourth in the Premier League, six points adrift of leader Arsenal, and eager to end its 18-year wait for the English title.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano doesn't believe that domestic priorities are holding Liverpool back in European competition.

"I want to win both," Mascherano said. "We've got a big enough squad. We have pretty much two players battling for every position, so we're able to battle on all fronts."

The weekend derby victory was clouded by Steven Gerrard's anger at being substituted in the 70th minute - before Dirk Kuyt's winner.

"I was hurt and disappointed at being taken off because," the captain said. "I'm a local lad and the derby means everything to me."

Benitez insists there is no lingering rift.

"As a manager you need to make decisions in a moment," Benitez said. "You can understand the reaction because it is a derby and special. But for me, Steve is our key player so I think everything will be the same in terms of if I need to use him."

And Benitez won't be afraid to drag the England midfielder off the pitch again.

"After talking with him, he knows my idea," Benitez said. "If I need to replace him he knows that I am thinking about what is best for the team."

Midfielder Xabi Alonso is in contention for Wednesday's match after recovering from a foot injury.

Besiktas goalkeeper Hakan Arikan hasn't recovered in time from a recent injury and will be replaced by 34-year-old Turkey international Rustu Recber.

Besiktas came from 2-0 down to beat Trabonzor 3-2 on Saturday.

"God willing, we are going to repeat the same playing mentality against Liverpool," Saglam said.

With Saglam suspended for Wednesday's match, assistants Mutlu Topcu and Sinan Engin will be in charge.

Liverpool is winless in three away games against Turkish clubs in European competitions, while Besiktas has never beaten an English team in Europe at home.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

BESIKTAS COACH ERTUGRUL SAGLAM SUSPENDED!...

HELLO TURKISH MEDIA!.....WAKE UP & SMELL THE NEWS!........

Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam has been handed a one-match touchline ban by UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body after being sent off in the UEFA Champions League game against FC Porto in Istanbul on 3 October.

He will not be allowed on the bench for next Wednesday's match at home to Liverpool FC. In addition, the Besiktas coach will not be permitted to enter the technical area, tunnel or dressing rooms for the game.

Besiktas v Liverpool: Preview

Steven Gerrard will lead Liverpool into their Champions League crunch match in Istanbul on Wednesday acutely aware boss Rafael Benitez would substitute him again without a second thought.

Benitez caused a storm by withdrawing Gerrard in Saturday's high-tension Mersey derby win at Everton, preferring the ball retention skills of 20 year-old Brazilian youngster Lucas.

Gerrard has since said he was ``hurt and disappointed'' by the decision, and Benitez has held talks with his skipper to explain his reasoning, something the manager considers was way short of a showdown.

But as Benitez led his squad to Turkey on Tuesday, he said: ``Would I do it again? Yes, if it helped the team.

``I have talked to Stevie and he obviously wanted to play out the match. But I repeat that my decisions are based on what the team needs.

``If I felt that I needed to substitute my captain again, of course I would do it. Everything I do is aimed at benefiting the team.''

Many feel Benitez put down a marker at Goodison Park on Saturday by hauling Gerrard off because he was playing with his heart and not his head.

He added: ``Making big decisions is an important part of my job, making that decision played a big part in our victory at Everton.''

Publicly, Gerrard has accepted his manager's viewpoint, but privately it is believed he is still concerned by the situation.

A source close to the player said; ``Do you think he is concerned? What do you think?''

It is also believed that when Gerrard handed Jamie Carragher the captain's armband, he was asked ``are you injured?''

Benitez will be unmoved by any such debate. He has never been a fan of the star status at any club he has managed, and by taking Gerrard off, he has established his authority over the squad.

Benitez was never happy with Gerrard playing twice in four days for England earlier in the European Championship qualifying campaign, having not fully recovered from a broken metatarsal.

Gerrard had only recently said he has been pain free, and he played a full 90 minutes of both England's games last week.

In that time, his form has been poor for Liverpool, and Benitez was saying at Goodison Park that someone else could do the job required better.

Now Benitez will expect a disciplined display from Gerrard in Istanbul, where Liverpool's Champions League future is on the line.

With only one point from two games, and facing a tough away match with Besiktas, Liverpool are in danger of ending up in the UEFA Cup less than five months after being European Cup runners-up.

Benitez flew from Liverpool without Spain striker Fernando Torres, who has failed to shake off a calf injury and is now being nursed through the week in preparation for Sunday's visit of Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal to Anfield.

Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa was also ruled out with a thigh injury, while Daniel Agger has not fully recovered from a broken metatarsal.

But midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso was on board, having recovered from a similar injury, and could well play against the Turks, who won at Trabzonspor to move to second in their league last weekend.

Benitez knows how vital a victory tomorrow is, saying: ``We have to win, we need three points after losing to Marseille and only drawing in Porto.

``The players know how important this game is, I will be expecting good performances from senior players.''

Without Torres, Liverpool are likely to stick with a front pairing of Andriy Voronin and Dirk Kuyt.

In defence, Benitez has added reserve skipper Jack Hobbs to the party, but the youngster is only involved as cover for Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.

Benitez said: ``Our confidence will be really good now going into big games with Besiktas and Arsenal.

``Previously, we were working hard without winning and people were talking and doubting the players. So it is really good to play against Besiktas now with a good win behind us.

``The one very positive thing about this team now is that we work right to the end, and if we can do this right to the end of the season, maybe we will be talking about winning trophies.''

PSV Eindhoven v Fenerbahce: Preview

PSV Eindhoven v Fenerbahce............ Live Gamecast

Head coach Ronald Koeman insists his side are fully aware of what they have to do to defeat Turkish giants Fenerbahce on Tuesday night.

Fenerbahce are top of Group G, while PSV are third after beating CSKA on the opening matchday and losing 2-0 to Internazionale last time out.

PSV faced Fenerbahce's rivals Galatasaray in the group stages of last year's Champions League, but Koeman believes that Zico's side will pose a bigger threat.

``They are a better team than Galatasary SK, who we met last year. If you look to their match versus Internazionale you saw that they are a big team,'' he said.

``We know what we have to do to get an acceptable result.''

Assistant manager Tonnie Bruins Slot watched Fenerbahce as they defeated Konyaspor 4-1 at the weekend and he is in no doubt of the challenge facing his side.

``Fenerbahce showed they are a strong side. They are a very good team with strong strikers, who have great skills on the ball,'' he said.

Fenerbahce will be without former PSV striker Mateja Kezman who misses a return to the Philips Stadion through injury.

Home forward Danko Lazovic paid tribute to Serbia team-mate Kezman, but believes his absence is a boost.

He said: ``Fenerbahce have a very good team with players like Roberto Carlos and Alex. It is sad for Mateja Kezman that he will not play, but for us it is a big plus. He is a great player.''

PSV are further boosted by the return of defensive duo Dirk Marcellis and Mike Zonneveld following suspension.

Fenerbahce head coach Zico believes his side are capable of leaving the Philips Stadion with three points.

The Sari Kanaryalar go into their visit to Holland leading Group G following their opening-matchday win over Italian giants Inter and the thrilling 2-2 draw with CSKA in Moscow.

``We respect PSV Eindhoven, but our only aim is to win that match in the Champions League. We want to turn back to Turkey with a victory,'' Zico told the club's official website, www.fenerbahce.org.

Despite their excellent start to the European campaign, Fenerbahce have been inconsistent in the Super Lig, although the 4-1 win over Konyaspor at the weekend did much to appease their passionate fans.

Turkish defender Vederson grabbed his first goal for Fenerbahce in that game and he is hoping the players can continue their momentum into Tuesday's match.

``The win at the weekend can act as a positive motivation for us when we face PSV,'' he said.

Influential Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Appiah made his return from a serious knee injury as a second-half substitute against Konyaspor and could feature against PSV.

Zico was delighted to see the 26-year-old make his comeback and is hoping to see him back to his best soon.

``Although Appiah had been suffering from a serious injury for a long time, he managed to make his comeback. I was very happy with his performance,'' added Zico.

source(PA)

Monday, October 22, 2007

TANJU COLAK ARRESTED!.....

APA’s Turkey bureau reports that Istanbul police carried out operation in 67 places and detained 32 men, three of them are women. 52 lux cars, equipment damaging the security system of cars, 4 pistols without documents, $20,000, €600, vouchers and documents cost 190,000 Turkish liras, counterfeit seals of some official bodies, 50 counterfeit marks, 47 diplomas, 65 counterfeit university diplomas, 14 computers and other things and a lot of counterfeit documents were found in the houses and working places of the detainees.
Tanju Colak, former Turkish football(SOCCER) star, who played for Galatasaray and FenerbahcE, is also among them. Colak is the second footballer in the country, scoring the most goals after Hakan Sukur, who scored 240 goals in 252 official matches and is continuing his career at present. He was arrested for stealing cars in 1994 and had to end his career at the age of 31.
/APA/

Sunday, October 21, 2007

GORDON MILNE:“I think Liverpool will be too strong and powerful for Besiktas"

A men who is known for both teams as legand, as a player for Liverpool and as a coach for Besiktas, Gordon Milne said Liverpool shouldn't have any problem beating Besiktas.
Gordon Milne was big soccer player for Reds in his hey days....
In 1965 Milne helped create one of those truly special moments which those lucky enough to witness still talk about more than 40 years on,winning the the FA Cup for the first time.
As far as Besiktas story.....
He became a legend in Turkey thanks to his management of Besiktas.
At a time when other British managers were being feted for bringing limited success to clubs in Spain, the softly spoken Lancastrian was sparking a revolution in Turkish football which makes him a revered figure in Istanbul even today.
Gordon Milne:'“It was 1987 and I had just finished a stint at Leicester,” he recalls. “I was planning on taking a break from football because I had just done 15 years on the bounce in coaching and management.

“Bobby Robson was England manager and I called in to see him at Lilleshall. We chatted about different things and he asked me would I fancy managing in Turkey.
“It obviously wasn’t something I’d even considered but he told me Don Howe had been offered a job by Besiktas but hedidn’t want to take it as he wanted to remain as England coach.

“Bobby told me to come back the following day to speak to Don so I did and he told me they were looking for an English coach and asked would I be interested.

“A couple of days later I was in Istanbul, I signed a contract and I ended up spending six and a half Milne became one of the most successful managers in Besiktas’ history winning a trio of league championships and two domestic cups.

In one season, Besiktas went the entire campaign unbeaten – a record which has never been matched in the history of Turkish soccer.

Gordon wen on to say,“There are three teams in Istanbul – Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray – and each one expects to be the best.

“Finishing second is no good. In my first season we finished second and it wasn’t long before I came under a bit of pressure but in the second season we won the cup and that took some of the pressure off.

“The next season we won the league and then we won the double and the following year we went unbeaten all season.

“It was a wonderful time for me and I only ended up leaving when I was given the opportunity to go and manage in Japan and work with Gary Lineker whom I’d worked with as a youngster at Leicester,”

In 2005, Milne made a brief return to Besiktas in an advisory role but he was kicked out of his role by the Besiktas board of directors. He said "“When I first got to Turkey the facilities were dreadful and in many ways they were primitive.

“We were training on sand and I found it all very hard. But we made little changes here and there and if you look at the way Turkish football has progressed since then it is clear that they have paid dividends.

“The facilities are wonderful now – there are grass pitches, synthetic pitches and all the kind of things you would associate with a top European club.

“Another factor in the improvement has been the increased exposure to top level football.

“In the late Eighties Turkey were being beaten 8-0 and 5-0 but that isn’t happening anymore.

“A lot of this is down to the fact that clubs like Besiktas, Galatasary and Fenerbahce are now playing regular European football and picking up great experience thanks to the format of the Champions League which allows teams to play more games than they used to under the old knockout rules.”
WHAT DOES GORDEN MILNE THINKS ABOUT THE MATCH IN ISTANBUL?

“I think Liverpool will be too strong and powerful for them, at least I hope they will be,” he answers.

“Besiktas are a good side and they have a sprinkling of good players from Brazil and Argentina alongside the native Turkish players but I just think Liverpool will have a little bit too much for them on the night.”

Saturday, October 20, 2007

FORTIS Turkish Cup Groups Announced


Group:(A) Beşiktaş, Ankaraspor, Ankaragücü, Çaykur Rizespor, Diyarbakır Büyükşehir Belediyesi DİSKİ Spor

Group (B): Trabzonspor, Gençlerbirliği, Vestel Manisaspor, Adana Demirspor, Kırıkkalespor

Group(C): Fenerbahçe, Kayserispor, Gaziantepspor, Şanlıurfaspor, Alanyaspor

Group(D): Galatasaray, Bursaspor, Denizlispor, Gençlerbirliği OFTAŞ Spor, Sarıyer

First matches in the groups will be played on October 31th,2007.
The teams will play two home and two away matches in their group and top two two teams in the each group will advance to the next round.
FIRT MATCHES.....
Group A
Beşiktaş - MKE Ankaragücü
ÇAYKUR Rize - Diyarbakır BB DİSKİ
Ankaraspor bye
Group B
MKE Kırıkkalespor - VESTEL Manisaspor
Adana Demirspor - Trabzonspor
Gençlerbirliği bye
Group CŞanlıurfa - Fenerbahçe
Alanya - Gaziantepspor
Kayseri bye
Group D
Sarıyer - Galatasaray
Gençlerbirliği OFTAŞ - Denizlispor
Bursaspor bye

Friday, October 19, 2007

ERTUGRUL SAGLAM SUSPENDED!...


Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam has been handed a one-match touchline ban by UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body after being sent off in the UEFA Champions League game against FC Porto in Istanbul on 3 October.
He will not be allowed on the bench for next Wednesday's match at home to Liverpool FC. In addition, the Besiktas coach will not be permitted to enter the technical area, tunnel or dressing rooms for the game.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

WATCH TURKEY(TURKIYE) V GREECE MATCH GOAL....



GREECE BEATS TURKEY.....0-1


Greece qualified for next year's European Championship after beating Turkey 1-0 Wednesday. Ioannis Amanatidis scored the only goal in the 79th minute, sending a shot over Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel.

The match at Ali Sami Yen stadium was largely missing action in the first half as Greece kept a tight defense and Turkey failed to penetrate it. The match gained momentum in the second half after both sides replaced some players with Turkey bringing in striker Hakan Sukur and Arda Turan.
NORWAY UP!....TURKEY DOWN!...

Greece leads Group C with 25 points, while Turkey has 18.Now, after Norway beating Bosnia, Turkey now has to battle for the second spot from the group.Norway has 20 points.

79' High drama as Greece take the lead with just eleven minutes remaining. Ioannis Amanatidis gets the goal for the holders - drilling a low shot past Volkan Demirel after being set up by substitute Georgios Samaras.

Qualifying round - October 17, 2007 20:30 GR

Result: Turkey 0:1 Greece

Stadium: Ali Sami Yen - Istanbul

Scorers: Amanatidis 79'

Yellow Cards: Emre 55' (Turkey) - Torosidis 64' (Greece

Turkey (Fatih Terim): 1 Demirel, 2 Cetin, 4 Zan, 22 Altıntop, 5 Emre (14 Turan 71'), 3 Uzulmez, 7 Aurelio, 10 Gokdeniz (9 Sukur 65'), 8 Karan (11 Metin 46'), 18 Gokhan, 17 Sanli

Greece (Otto Rehhagel): 12 Chalkias, 5 Dellas, 25 Kyrgiakos, 28 Antzas, 2 Seitaridis, 15 Torosidis, 10 Karagounis, 6 Basinas, 9 Charisteas (4 Samaras 59'), 20 Amanatidis, 17 Gekas (33 Lymperopoulos 56')

Referee: Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain)

Assistant Referees: Juan Carlos Yuste Jimιnez (Spain), Antonio Artero Gallardo (Spain)

FATIH TERIM VERY TENSE BEFORE THE GREECE MATCH..


I WATCHED THE PRESS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY ,WHERE FATIH TERIM TALKED TO TURKISH AND GREEK MEDIA AND FOREIGN MEDIA MEMBERS....

EVERYTHING STARTED WELL, FATIH TERIM ANSWERED THE GREEK JOURNALIST AND FOREIGN JOURNALIST QUESTIONS...HE EVEN TRY TO SPEAK ENGLISH WITH VERY BAD BROKEN ENGLISH.
THAT WAS FINE AND DANDY ....
BUT, WHEN ONE OF THE TURKISH JOURNALIST ASKED HIM "IF HE WAS MAD AT TURKISH PRESS"
HE REPLIED WITH THAT FACE(ABOVE PICTURE) HE GOT REALLY MAD!...
HE SAID HE WAS NOT MAD AT TURKISH PRESS BUT, HE SAID, HE IS REALLY MAD ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER ...HE WENT ON TO AND SAID VERY HARSH WORDS TO TURKISH JOURNALISTS.
AT THE END , HE PUNCHED THE DESK AND GOT UP!......
BEFORE VERY IMPORTANT MATCH, FATIH TERIM SHOULD NOT EVEN ANSWER THAT QUESTION IN MY OPINION.... I SAW HIM VERY TENSE BEFORE THIS IMPORTANT MATCH...HE DID NOT NEED TO DO THAT... THAT WAS NOT THE PLACE TO TAKE UP THAT ISSUE...
HE MUST REMEMBER THIS IS ALL TURKISH PEOPLE'S SOCCER*FOOTBALL TEAM..HE WILL BE REPRESENTING TURKEY ON WENSDAY NIGHT..AND ALMOST ALL WORLD WILL BE WATCHING OR FOLLOWING THIS MATCH.......

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

WATCH TURKEY V GREECE LIVE ON LINE...



Watch Turkey (Turkiye) v Greece Match Live Here
Powered by JUMPTV.....Wednesday, October 17, 2007 ...1:30 ET


IF YOU CAN'T WATCH THE MATCH FOLLOW IT HERE LIVE WITH GAMECAST......

TURKEY V GREECE MATCH SOLD OUT!.....



All tickets for Turkish National Soccer Team's match with Greece on Wednesday, October 17th have been sold out, it was reported on Monday.

The tickets went on sale at 11.00 a.m. on Monday, October 15th.

The ticket seller, Biletix company, announced that all tickets have been sold out in a period of several hours.

Monday, October 15, 2007

THANKS TO FATIH TERIM,IT IS THREE-HORSE RACE!...

When the draw was made, Turkey were seventh, Greece eleventh and Norway nineteenth.Loook now....Greece on top and Turkey is second....Mistakes by Fatih Terim and National Team Players put Group C in a three-horse race between Greece, Turkey and Norway. Turkey host Greece on Wednesday in the pick of the week’s ties and then they are away to Norway in what is likely to be another barnstormer. Turkey beat neighbor Greece 4-1 in Athens in March.Turkey is second with 18 points after being held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Moldova. Norway has 17 points and is at Bosnia-Herzegovina.Greece will reach the final tournament with a win in Turkey on Wednesday. The Greeks lead Group C with 22 points after a 3-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

ANOTHER STRONG WORDS FROM TERIM: "WE WILL BEAT GREECE"!.......
Fatih Terim is confident that Turkish National team will beat Greece on Wednesday. 1-1 draw in Moldova on Saturday left Turkey four points behind Group C leaders Greece, with a tough run-in on the schedule , after Greece visit the Ali Sami Yen stadium, Turkey will next month travel to Norway, who are just a point back, before returning home to host Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Terim told newspaper Hurriyet: "We will beat Greece, for sure. They are in a very positive position, but we have to beat them and travel to Norway with the advantage. We will succeed in doing that."

What do you think?..go to Have-A -Take page and sound off.......like a soccer fan.....

Saturday, October 13, 2007

WATCH MOLDOVA 1-1 TURKEY(TURKIYE) MATCH GOALS

A GIFT FROM OUR KEEPER HAKAN ARIKAN TO MOLDOVA...
HOW MANY TIMES I SAID, WE NEED A GOOD KEEPER...



SAVIOR UMIT KARAN, TOOK, FATIH TERIM FROM HANGING........BUT HE STILL HAS TO GO....
WHAT IS TUMER, EMRE DOING ON THIS TEAM?.....WHILE GOKDENIZ KARADENZI SITTING ON THE BENCH?..ARE YOU REALY A COACH , FATIH TERIM?....OR DID YOU FORGET COACHING!...DO WE HAVE TO TEACH YOU COACHING AGAIN?....SHAME ON YOU....

Turkey takes on Moldova


The Turkish national team will take on Moldova in the next Qualifying match for the Euro2008 at Moldova's Chisinau Stadium on Saturday.Saturday's match will be one of the most watched, as most eyes are on Greece and Turkey in Group C, the rivals battling it out for an all-important qualification spot.
Greece who is on top of the group with 19 points, really need a nerve-settling three points against embattled Bosnia

Herzegovina to secure first place, while Turkey will leapfrog Norway providing they don't lose to Moldova.

It's not all about the aforementioned paid Bosnia-Herzegovina and Moldova have points to prove, too, while Hungary against Malta may decide little in the qualification stakes, but will tell us much about the teams at hand.

Moldova v Turkey .....Live Gamecast......

Watch Moldova v Turkey(Turkiye) Match Live Here...............
Powered by JUMPTV.....Saturday, October 13, 2007 ...14:00 ET

Friday, October 12, 2007

Digitürk 2008 deal for TURKEY....


Digitürk will be the official pay-TV broadcast partner in Turkey for UEFA EURO 2008™. UEFA announced on Wednesday that Digitürk has been granted the exclusive pay-TV broadcast rights to all 31 matches of the tournament.

Broadcast platform
"Further to the agreement with ATV for the free-to-air broadcast rights concluded in August 2006, UEFA is delighted to welcome Digitürk to complete the UEFA EURO 2008™ broadcast platform in Turkey," said UEFA director of marketing and media rights, Philippe Le Floc'h. "With Digitürk, we bring on an experienced pay-TV operator which already distributes top football content.

Pure enjoyment
"UEFA is confident that the platform achieved through ATV and Digiturk will bring the viewing experience of UEFA EURO 2008™ to the ultimate level, for the pure enjoyment of the millions of Turkish fans," he added. The broadcast rights for the UEFA European Championship are being sold on a market-by-market basis for the first time in the tournament's 46-year history. SPORTFIVE is UEFA's exclusive sales agent for the exploitation of European broadcast rights relating to UEFA EURO 2008™.

Source:UEFA.com

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

The 2007-2008 UEFA Cup group stage draw

Galatasaray will play against French Bordeaux, Austrian Austria Wien, Greek Panionios and Swedish Helsingborgs in second tour in Group (H).

Below are groups based on today's draw in Nyon:

GROUP A AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) Zenit St Petersburg (Russia) Everton (England) Nuremberg (Germany) Larissa (Greece)

GROUP B Panathinaikos (Greece) Lokomotiv Moscow (Russia) Atletico Madrid (Spain) FC Copenhagen (Denmark) Aberdeen (Scotland)

GROUP C Villareal (Spain) AEK Athens (Greece) Fiorentina (Italy) Mlada Boleslav (Czech Republic) Elfsborg Boras (Sweden)

GROUP D Basel (Switzerland) Hamburg SV (Germany) Stade Rennes (France) Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) Brann Bergen (Norway)

GROUP E Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) Spartak Moscow (Russia) Toulouse (France) FC Zurich (Switzerland)

GROUP F Bayern Munich (Germany) Bolton Wanderers (England) Braga (Portugal) Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) Aris Salonika (Greece)

GROUP G Anderlecht (Belgium) Tottenham Hotspur (England) Getafe (Spain) Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) AaB Aalborg (Denmark)

GROUP H Girondins Bordeaux (France) Austria Vienna (Austria) Galatasaray (Turkey) Panionios (Greece) Helsingborg (Sweden)

Fixture schedule

Matchday 1 October 25

Matchday 2 November 8

Matchday 3 November 29

Matchday 4 December 5 & 6

Matchday 5 December 19 & 20

First knockout round

First legs: February 13 & 14

Second legs: February 21

Second knockout round

First legs: March 6

Second legs: March 12 & 13

Quarter-finals:

First legs: April 3

Second legs: April 10

Semi-finals:

First legs: April 24

Second legs: May 1

Final - City of Manchester Stadium, England Wednesday May 14, 2008

Monday, October 8, 2007

TURKISH TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE ROUND-UP:

GALATASARAY REMAINS ON TOP, DESPITE THE DRAW!

Turkcell Super League week 8, started with a draw on Friday and ended with a draw on Sunday.

On Friday, Trabzonspor and Kasimpasa played for 0-0 draw in Istanbul, On Sunday , Galatasaray came behind to tie the match in Kayseri.



GALATASARAY STILL ON TOP

Galatasaray remain top of the Turkish Super League after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at Kayserispor.

Gokhan Unal gave the hosts a first-half lead, but Umit Karan equalised in the second half for Gala who remain unbeaten after eight matches.

SIVASSPOR MISSED THE CHANCE

Second-place Sivasspor are still two points behind after conceding a two-goal lead to draw at Ankaragucu.

Muhammet Kurtulus and Mehmet Yildiz put Sivasspor 2-0 ahead after 26 minutes, but Giani Kirita pulled one back three minutes into the second half before Silvino Joao Jaba levelled nine minutes from time for seventh-place Ankaragucu.



Third-place Besiktas defeated Genclerbirligi 1-0 courtesy of Mert Nobre's goal on the stroke of half-time.

Konyaspor recovered from 2-1 down to beat Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK 3-2 thanks to Murat Hacioglu's late goal.

Mascarenhas Washington Luiz put the hosts ahead in the first half before Efe Inanc and Kerim Zengin scored within nine minutes of the restart.

Luiz netted his second of the game before Sertran Eser was sent off for the visitors and Hacioglu's 88th-minute goal won it for Konyaspor.



Elsewhere on Sunday, Caykur Rizespor beat Gaziantepspor 2-1. Serhat Akyuz put Caykur Rizespor ahead two minutes into the second half, but Ali Cansun Begecarslan equalised four minutes later.However, Anderson restored the lead five minutes later and Caykur Rizespor held on to record their second win of the season.



ANOTHER DRAW FOR FENERBAHCE!...
Fenerbahce were held to a 1-1 draw at Manisaspor after Mehmet Aurelio had given them an early lead.

Sener Askaroglu equalised for the home side after 10 minutes and Fenerbache's night went from bad to worse when Mateja Kezman was sent off in the 77th minute.

The point leaves Fenerbache seven points behind leaders Galatasary in fifth place .



Bottom side Ankaraspor picked up only their third point of the season as they held Denizlispor to a goalless draw despite having Emre Asik sent off in the last minute.



Genclerbirligi OFTAS nearly took all three points from Bursaspor despite having Ilhan Eker sent off after 63 minutes.

Bulent Kocabey converted a penalty for the 10 men with 10 minutes remaining but the home side grabbed an equaliser through Mustafa Sarp on 86 minutes.

Bursaspor would have expected to secure their first home win of the season when Eker was dismissed but the point leaves them struggling in 14th.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE SATURDAY PREVIEW...

There are three matches on Saturday in the Turkcell Super League. Two of the matches will start in daylight in Turkey time. Ankaraspor will be home against Denizlispor and Bursaspor also will be home against Genclerbirliği OFTAS .. Both matches will start at 4 p.m, Turkey time (9:00 AM,ET )

Saturday's last match will be between Fenerbahce and Vestel Manisaspor at Manisa's Ataturk Stadium.

Although, Fenerbahce , undefeated in the UEFA Champions League matches, They have yet to won a away match in the Turkcell Super League.In three away games they have two draws and one loss.

Vestel Manisaspor is young an energy, full team.... if they play, fast attacking soccer on Saturday ,the Turkish soccer fans could watch a very entertaining match on LIGTV. Vestel Manisaspor will be without their star player Holosko..He was fined by TFF , just before this match!....How do you like that decision?,,,

Fenerbahce killer Giray Bulak, will find a way, to challenge Fenerbahce again!.... Two teams are desperate for points. If Vestel wins this match, they will be behind Fenerbahce with 11 points ,if Fenerbahce wins, they will close the gap on top..that's why this match is very important for both teams..

AHMET TURGUT

Friday, October 5, 2007

TURKISH (TURKEY) National Team ANOUNCED THE SQUAD FOR MOLDOVA and GREECE MATCHES

Turkish National soccer(football) team coach Fatih Terim selected the squad for the next two matches!... Turkey will play the first match on October 13Th Saturday at Moldova than back in Turkey in Ali Samiyen Stadium on October 17Th, Wednesday.

Looking at the roster it is same old ...same old!............
I don't know what Fatih Terim is thinking?...

Here is the Roster for Turkish National Team:
Servet Çetin, Arda Turan, Hakan Şükür, Ümit Karan, Volkan Yaman (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Hakan Arıkan, İbrahim Üzülmez, İbrahim Toraman, Gökhan Zan (Beşiktaş A.Ş.), Mehmet Aurelio, Volkan Demirel, Tümer Metin (Fenerbahçe), Hüseyin Çimşir, Gökdeniz Karadeniz (Trabzonspor A.Ş.), Gökhan Ünal, Mehmet Topuz (Kayserispor), Necati Ateş, Emre Aşık (Ankaraspor A.Ş.) Mehmet Yıldız (Sivasspor), Serkan Kırıntılı (MKE Ankaragücü), Selçuk İnan (Vestel Manisaspor), Hamit Altıntop (Bayern Münih), Emre Belözoğlu (Newcastle United), Tuncay Şanlı (Middlesbrough)

WATCH GALATASARAY 5-1 SION HIGHLIGHTS...



Galatasaray won the revenge game against FC Sion in the first round of UEFA Cup with a score of 5-1 and qualified for the next round. FC Sion had won the first game with 3-2.

Turkish soccer team Galatasaray defeated 5-1 to Swiss FC Sion in the return match in second leg of the UEFA Cup First Round in Istanbul.

Galatasaray overwhelmed Sion in last night's game with five goals, qualifying for the UEFA groups.

Sion had won the previous game with a score of 3-2.

Galatasaray, however, won the game last night by a score of 5-1. Galatasaray had to win the game against FC Sion in order to qualify for the next round of UEFA Cup. G

alatasaray started the game fast and conquered the rival team's goal immediately.

The first half ended with a score of 3-0 with the two goals scored by Ümit Karan and one goal scored by Lincoln.

FC Sion wanted to use the advantage of the previous score of 3-2 and started with an emphasis on defense.

Lincoln scored the first goal at the 22nd minute after getting the ball passed by Linderoth.

At the 29th minute, Hakan Şükür passed and Ümit scored the second goal.

At the 36th minute, Arda passed the ball to the penalty field and Lincoln scored the third goal.

Lincoln passed the ball to Arda who entered the penalty of Sion at the 68th minute and then scored the fourth goal of Galatasaray.

At the 90th minute Reset of Sion passed the ball to Nwaneri who scored the first and only goal of FC Sion.

Then again at the 90th minute, Bouzid scored the fifth goal of Galatasaray.

The game ended with a score of 5-1 with the triumph of Galatasaray.

Stadium: Ali Sami Yen

Referees: Michael Weiner, Volker Wezel, Tobias Welz (Germany)

Galatasaray: Orkun, Ugur, Song, Servet, Volkan, Baris, Linderoth, Lincoln, Arda, Umit, Hakan Sukur

FC Sion: Vailati, Alioi, Goncalves Kali, Bühler, Nwaneri, Obradovic, Galindo, Vanczak, Dominguez, Mucana Paito, Adeshina

Goals: Umit, Lincoln, Arda, Bouzid (Galatasaray), Nwaneri (FC Sion)

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

WATCH BESIKTAS 0-1 PORTO HIGHLIGHTS

BESIKTAS GOES DOWN WITH A LATE GOAL

I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE...LET ME SAY IT AGAIN!.....BESIKTAS NEEDS A GOOD KEEPER WHO WILL MAKE STATEMENT ON THE FIELD LIKE HELTON!......
BESIKTAS DOES NOT HAVE A LEADER IN THE BACK FIELD.....AND THE GOAL KEEPER IS THE LEADER OF THE DEFENSE... HELLO!....BESIKTAS.....WAKE-UP!....AND SMELL THE AIR!.....
Besiktas 0 - 1 Porto0-1 Quaresma 90+2'

Ricardo Quaresma scored an injury-time goal to earn his side a 1-0 victory over Besiktas in their Champions League Group A match on Wednesday.

Besiktas creating a series of chances but, could not find the net tonight.

Porto who broke the deadlock when Quaresma poked the ball from close range in the second minute of injury time, beating Besiktas goalkeeper Hakan Arikan.

The result lifted Porto to second in the group with four points, two behind Marseille. Besiktas remained pointless after their second defeat.

Besiktas: Hakan Arkan; Serdar Kurtulus (Ali Tandogan 71), Gokhan Zan, Ibrahim Toraman Ibrahim Uzulmez; Serdar Ozkan, Cisse, Tello; Delgado; Bobo (Marcio Nobre 27), Ibrahim Akin (Higuain 67).
Yellow Cards: Marcio Nobre 57, Ali Tandogan 86.

Porto: Helton; Bosingwa, Bruno Alves, Stepanov, Fucile; Paulo Assuncao; Lucho Gonzalez, Raul Meireles (Leandro Lima 88); Quaresma, Sektioui (Cech 66); Lisandro (Adriano 75).

Yellow Cards: Lucho Gonzalez 45, Bruno Alves 67.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Watch CSKA Moscow 2-2 FENERBAHCE HIGHLIGHTS here...

Late goal gives F Bahce 2-2 CL draw

Turkish soccer team Fenerbahce tied 2-2 with Russian CSKA Moscow in an away game in European Champions League Group G on Tuesday.

Fenerbahce grabbed a late 2-2 draw in Moscow in what a free-spirited and flowing game of football that had a little bit of everything.

An opportunistic finish from a poor header, a back pass that misfired, a silly hack to concede a penalty, and a goalkeeper letting the ball slip under him were all on offer in this comedy of errors.

CSKA were perhaps the better team for much of the game, but credit is due to Fenerbahce for mounting a comeback after falling 2-1 behind away from home, and refusing to throw in the towel.

In the end, it was a deserved point for both sides, though the home side will feel aggrieved.

Fenerbahçe took an early lead through their Champions League hero Alex, the Brazilian adding to his two against Inter by latching ont a poor clearance from Aleksei Berezutski after Mehmet Aurelio slipped as he prepared to strike.

CSKA were stunned, but proceeded to find their rhythm and run the show with the backing of the home fans.

They got a much deserved lead through the superb Krasic, who hassled Edu into a poor back pass, and latched onto it to finish in two attempts.

The Russians then got their second, with Edu once again guilty, this time of a clumsy challenge on Vagner Love.

The Brazilian picked himself up and tucked away the penalty to put his side ahead, and get the usually serious Gazzaev jumping in delight on the touchline.

It was to be Fenerbahces turn to raise their game, and they crowded the CSKA goal as the game headed into its final minutes.

They got their reward in fortunate circumstances, with Deivid's 25-yard drive squeezing under Veniamin Mandrykin.

Fenerbahce have four points from two games, while CSKA have just the one.

Stadium: Lokomotiv

Referees: Knut Kircher, Kai Voss, Thorsten Schiffner (Germany)

Fenerbahce: Volkan Demirel, Onder, Edu (Mn. 72 Yasin), Lugano (Mn. 77 Gokhan), Roberto Carlos, Deivid, Deniz (Mn. 72 Kazim), Aurelio, Vederson, Alex, Kezman

CSKA Moscow: Mandrykin, Vasili Berezutski, Ignashevich, Aleksei Berezutski, Semberas, Rahimic, Krasic, Dudu (Mn. 90 Aldonin), Zhirkov, Vagner Love, Jo

Goals: Mn. 9 Alex, Mn. 85 Deivid (Fenerbahce), Mn. 49 Krasic, Mn. 53 Vagner Love (penalty) (CSKA Moscow)

Yellow Cards: Mn. 52 Edu, Mn. 65 Lugano (Fenerbahce), Mn. 67 Krasic, Mn. 78 Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow)

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHT HERE..........CSK MOSKOV V FENERBAHCE VIDEO...

Monday, October 1, 2007

TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE....THE WAY I SEE IT!



Turkish Turkcell Super League week 7, wrapped up with a lot of interesting things!.
Starting from Friday night to Sunday night Turkish soccer fans witness a lot of strange stuff. At the end of the week seven, Galatasaray maintain their unbeaten series and stayed on top of the league with 19 points. Fenerbahce gave some hope to Fenerbahce fans after winning a match after 34 days!.This was turning point for Fenerbahce in the league.

When you look at the Turkish Super League in general....there was hardly any spectacular matches except Sivasspor against Bursaspor and Istanbul Buyuk Sehir Belediyespor against Vestel Manisaspor. Adriano Padilha scored hat trick against Vestel Mansisapor as Istanbul B.B.S,won the match 4-1.

The Sleeper team Sivasspor, came behind two goal deficit and beat Bursaspor 3-2 and hold on the second place in the league behind Galatasaray with 18 points.Although Pini Balili did not score but he setup the three goals for Sivasspor.
In week 7, teams scores 25 goals and on Sunday, in 6 matches, teams scored 18 goals.
There were a lot of goals in the league but, stadium in most cities again was empty!.
What ever the reason, as I have said this before, Turkish soccer fans don't go to matches any more!... League's sleeper team Sivasspor, is the only team played the 7Th match in front of full house!...Even Feerbahce, the team has all the stars,did not draw a full house!....this is serious problem for Turkish Turkcell Super League in my opinion.

Leagues first derby match between Galatasaray against Besiktas match was disaster before the match and during the match.
Just hours before the match , Galatasaray coach Feldkamp, punished Hakan Sukur and Brazilian Lincoln for disobeying the rules in the camp and took them of the team roster. on the other hand,one of Besiktas team board member was taking shots at coach Ertugrul Saglam and team.
When you add the mistakes by referee,Besiktas Goal Keeper , and Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam....they caused the defeat for Besiktas!..

After the match , Ertugrul Saglam said, "Galatasaray deserved the win!....they wanted more than us" Now, When you have a player like Delgado, when Besiktas paid seven million dollars, why won't you put him in starting line up?...and than, you decide put him in the match ,last 25 minutes of the match!.. Do You think he is going give you his hundred percent!....he won't!... and he did not....just like you, dear Saglam, no one in Besiktas team including you, did not show any heart to win this match...just watch the match again you will see what I am talking about it!

As far as the match referee, Selcuk Dereli, he was just awful!....Just before the first goal, when ball went out by Galatasaray player he called it corner-kick!..From that corner kick , Gala scored the first goal with a huge mistake by Besiktas Keeper Hakan Arikan. I said this before, I'll say It again.....Big teams need experience Keepers!... just look at the league.. is there any outstanding keepers that you could show?!.... Galatasaray, Fenerbahce,Besiktas, and Trabzonspor all has same goal keeper problems!.

Two of the Genclerbirligi teams, Genclerbirligi and Genclerbirligi OFTAS, won their matches!...But, there was only hand full fans in the stands!...( I wonder my friend from Ankara , Oz Kanka and his entourage when to these matches?!...)
There was new coach for Genclerbirligi Mr.Stumph, this was his first match as a head coach in the Turkish Super League...Nick Carle scored the first goal as Genlerbirligi beat Kasimpasa 3-1.

OFTAS, won their second match against CAYKUR Rizespor with the score of 2-0. Mile Sterjovski, scored the both goals for OFTAS.
The home teams.... Trabzonspor,Denizlispor and Gaziantepspor, all won their matches... Trabzonspor after winning the match against Konyaspor took a deep breath!
They were really under pressure by their fans....Like,Galatasaray,Trabzonspor played the match in front of empty stadium.....

Denizlispor beat strong Kayserispor and they showed a different Denizlispor in this match...if they play like this week, They will move up in the standings too....
One of the best teams in the last three matches is Gaziantepspor....They beat Ankaraspor without their star Mexican player De Nigris.he was injured for this match.. De Nigris,shares the top goal scoring spot with Gokdeniz Karadeniz ,they both have five goals so far....

After week seven, on top, Galatasaray closely chased by Sivasspor,Besiktas at third place with 14 points 5 behind Galatasaray.....Trabzonspor,Buyuksehir,Fenerbahce and Gazinatepspor all tied up with 12 points.The team that has not win a match yet, Ankaraspor, stands in last place of the league with only 2 points...
CAYKUR Rizespor and Konyaspor on top of Ankaraspor with 4 points.
Former Turkish Junior National team coach Unal Karaman , took the helm at Konyaspor and he lost his first match, against his former team Trabzonspor...
With that last interesting note, we wish Turkish teams in European League much luck!..
They will need it!....

AHMET TURGUT