FC Porto v Fenerbahce: Preview

Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira has urged his team to make a positive start to the Champions League proper by beating last season's quarter-finalists Fenerbahce.

The Portuguese outfit host Luis Aragones' men on Wednesday night in Group G hoping to emulate the success of 2004, when they were crowned champions under Jose Mourinho.

In the last two campaigns, Porto have been knocked out at the last-16 stage - in 2006/07 to Chelsea and to Schalke on penalties last term - and Ferreira does not want a repeat of those disappointments.

"I do not have any doubts about the team I am going to field,'' said Ferreira. "The players are prepared and know the importance of this game, and they are motivated by being in this competition and facing the top clubs in Europe.

"Everyone will work hard to ensure a good game.

"In the two years I have been here we have not realized our objectives of winning the Champions League. I have only been able to speak about defeat.

"But despite not triumphing, we have achieved our objective of reaching the knockout stages.''

Despite being drawn in a tricky group which also includes Arsenal and Dynamo Kiev, Ferreira is upbeat about his side's chances of qualifying for the knockout stages for a third consecutive year.

"It's going to be hard for us,'' he said shortly after the draw. "But regardless of the group, our ambitions are the same as ever.

"We want to reach the knockout stage and certainly with the work we've been doing we'll certainly keep improving over the next few weeks.''

Ferreira is boosted by the return of attacking midfielder Mariano Gonzalez, although Rabiola and Tarik Sektioui are still sidelined with injury. Jorge Fucile and Freddy Guarin also miss out.

Fenerbahce reached the last eight of the competition last season and beat Chelsea at home in the first leg before eventually losing 3-2 on aggregate.

They have had a shaky start to this season, however, winning two and losing two in the Turkish Super League - one of those a 2-1 loss to struggling Hacettepe on Saturday.

New coach Aragones called losing six points in three games "a cause for real concern''.

Curiously, the Spaniard said Wednesday night's main objective is to play attractive football - a surprise given that Fenerbahce are the away side and will want to make as good a start as possible in an intimidating group.

"Porto consist of great players who have already shown what they are capable of achieving,'' he told the club's website. "Our primary goal is to play nice football.''

Veteran Roberto Carlos, a Champions League winner with Real Madrid in 1998, 2000 and 2002, is not underestimating the size of the Yellow Canaries' task, despite Porto being without star winger Ricardo Quaresma, who left for Internazionale on transfer deadline day.

"Porto are a strong team,'' Roberto Carlos told Istanbul newspaper Hurriyet. "Quaresma is a big loss but they are still a good side without him. We will have to take each match as it comes.''

FOR DETAIL FOR THE MATCH AND FOLLOW IT LIVE....AND MINUTE BY MINUTE REPORT BY GAME CAST, GO TO WWW.TURKISHSOCER.COM

Fatih Terim, has apologized!......

Belgium coach Rene Vandereycken, left in the background, argues with Turkish coach Fatih Terim, right, during the World Cup group 5 qualifying soccer match between Turkey and Belgium in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008. The teams tied 1-1.(AP Photo/Murad Sezer)

That's right!....Fatih Terim has apologized for being rued to Belgium coach Rene Vandereycken during the two team's World Cup qualifying group game last Wednesday.

Why do it!.... and than be sorry about it!...

I just can't get that!...

This was not the first time and it will not be the last time,that , Fatih Terim will have to do this !....

I think , He needs to go to Anger Management Class!.....

Look what he said to the LIG TV Reporter, on Sunday, while He was watching Galatasaray v Antalyaspor match!..

"I regretted being in a tense situation like that.Thinking about the incident after the game, I should not have been provoked by a coach whose career is so unremarkable,Whatever he did, even if I was right, I should not have acted so tense. I admit that I made a mistake there."

He also said, "I owe an apology to my coaching staff, to my players, and especially the football fans, but ultimately, I owe myself an apology. An experienced coach like that should not have been let to be drawn into provocation."

TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE(TSL), SUNDAY REVIEW!

It was lots of goals on Sunday, but, not at the last televised match of the week, between Trabzonspor and Besiktas.

Super Sunday started with a bang on LIG TV, with really excitement match between Sivasspor and Bursaspor.

Sivasspor beat Bursasspor in Sivas with the score of 3-1 . Former Bursaspor player H.Tum scored the last goal for Sivasspor.

In other early matches , Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor lost at home against Ankaraspor 1-2.

Gaziantepspor tied at home against Ankaragucu with a last minute goal scored by Ankaragucu.

Genclerbirligi beat Eskishirspor at home 3-1.

In the last match of the week, which was broadcast live on LIGTV, Trabzonspor and Besiktas played for boring 0-0 tie match ninety minutes.

As I was saying on my Saturday report, things did not change very much!...

We know One thing, Last seasons, surprise team Sivasspor after beating Bursaspor at home captured the top spot with seven points, in the Turkish Super League again!,,,,

Wait though!,,,,,there are three more teams that share the same points!...
BESIKTAS.....GAZIANTEPSPOR AND TRABZONSPOR.....

At the end of the third round, Galatasaray is in fifth ,Kayserispor is in sixth and Fenerbahce, is deep down in 12Th place, as I wrote it, on my Saturday report.

So, at the end of the week three, we see different kind of League standing, that Turkish soccer fans are not use to see!....

With the European competitions to start this coming week, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas and Kayseripsor has to concentrate in the both leagues!...

STANDINGS P W D L F A AV P
------------------------------------------------------------
1.SIVASSPOR 3 2 1 0 5 1 4 7
2.GAZIANTEPSPOR 3 2 1 0 5 2 3 7
3.BESIKTAS 3 2 1 0 5 2 3 7
4.TRABZONSPOR 3 2 1 0 4 1 3 7
5.BURSASPOR 3 2 0 1 5 4 1 6
6.GALATASARAY 3 1 2 0 5 2 3 5
7.KAYSERISPOR 3 1 2 0 1 0 1 5
8.GENCLERBIRLIGI3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
9.HACETTEPE 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
10.KONYASPOR 3 1 1 1 4 5 -1 4
11.DENIZLISPOR 3 1 1 1 5 7 -2 4
12.FENERBAHCE 3 1 0 2 3 3 0 3
13.ANKARASPOR 3 1 0 2 2 5 -3 3
14.ESKISEHIRSPOR 3 0 2 1 1 3 -2 2
15.ANKARAGUCU 3 0 1 2 5 7 -2 1
16.ANTALYASPOR 3 0 1 2 5 7 -2 1
17.ISTANBULB.B 3 0 1 2 1 4 -3 1
18.KOCAELISPOR 3 0 1 2 1 4 -3 1

TSL (TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE) ,SATURDAY WRAP!...

Another shocking news for Fenerbahce!....

FENERBAHCE GOES DOWN IN ANKARA, AGAINST HACETTEPE....

After the National team matches and chaos, Turkey finally trying to focus on the Turkcell Super League.

The third round started, with a bang again this Saturday!....

In the opening match, Fenerbahce, traveled to Capitol city of Turkey, Ankara.

New Name Hacettepe!....former Genclerbirligi Oftas team beat Fenerbahce with the 2-1 score.

Fenerbahce was hurting, with a lot of injuries and with other problems!....

That cost the match for Fenerbahce!...

Until very and of the first half, Fenerbahce was ahead 1-0 with Alex's goal.
But, things changed in the last minute.Hacettepe tied the match with Ibrahim Sahin's goal in the 45Th minute.Just before the first half whistle.

In the second half, young defender who has not started in a long time Can Arat, scored his own goal for Hacettepe.

Later in the match Keeper Volkan Demirel was red carded and another young defender Yasin Cakmak took the gloves from Volkan.

In the remain minutes of the match Fenerbahce was not successful to score goals!..

After this win, Hacettepe moved on top of the Fenerbahce ,while Fenerbahce droped down to eight place , they could well down further after Sunday's matches...
We could see Fenerbahce finishing 12 or 13th place at the end of the third week in the Turkcell Super League....

That could be in really big problem for Fenerbahce and Aragones in the long run!,,,,

They left three import points in Ankara before the CL matches in the Europe competition...Fenerbahce has only three points after three rounds!....

Elsewhere, on Saturday, Konyaspor tied at home with Denizlispor, 1-1

In Kayseri, Kayserispor beat leaeges new comer team Kocaelispor with only one goal.

As I was writing this article, Galatasaray was playing against Antalysspor at home and after Gala scoring the first goal , later Anlatalyaspor tied the match.

As of now that match is at the half time...

GALATASARAY DROPS TWO BIG POINTS AT HOME!..

After Fenerbahce , Galatasaray droped points at thier Turkcell Super League match against Antalyaspor at home in front of their own fan.

AS I told you before the score at the half time did not change in the second half of the match and the match enden with 1-1 score!...

Galatasary scored first, but Nonda in the 11th minute of the match and Anlatyspor answered with Joseph Ngwenya goal in the 32th minute of the match.

With this loss Galatasaray like Fenerbahce lost points....
Afre the third week, Galatasaray won only one march and draw two!...

That is really bad start for Galatasaray too..

After elimination fron Champions League now....bad result in the league is not making Gala fans really happy!...

Look for some changes in the coming days in the Galatasaray team!.....

SUNDAY PREVIEW!....

It will be Super Sunday in The Turkcell Super League....

Four perfect teams with six points will have to put a tough fight........

Out of these four , two of them....Besiktas and Trabzonspor will clash in the city of Trabzon.

The others, Gaziantepspor will be at home against Ankaragucu and Bursaspor will be away against though team Sivasspor!...

So, I know one thing, It will be really hard for these teams to stay perfect!..

One or two of them will try to stay perfect or will try to maket three for three at the end of this weekend!...

Million dollar question is?.....Who will succeed...that will be tough to guess!...

So, sit tight and enjoy Super Sunday in TSL(TURCELL SUPER LEAGUE)!....

TURKEY AND FATIH TERIM LOST VERY IMPORTANT POINTS !...

Fourth official Philippe Kalt (R) gestures to Turkey's head coach Fatih Terim (L) during a discussion between Terim and Belgium's head coach Rene Vandereycken (rear) during their World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, September 10, 2008.
Photo:REUTERS/Fatih Saribas (TURKEY)

This was very important match for Turkey and Fatih Terim at home .

A win, would it made a big difference in the standings!..

A lost of two points, at home against Belgium, will cost Fatih Terim and Turkish side along the long way in this group5.

As I am writing this article, Spain is ahead against Armenia 4-0 at home, if they win this match they will take the first place from Turkey with six points.

This draw was so bad , Turkey put Belgium and Bosnia in the race in this Group.

Today, Bosnia thrashed Estonia with the score 7-0. and got their first three points in the group.

And Turkey's next match is against Bosnia next month in Turkey.

That is why this match was so important!....

Belgium, Bosnia and Turkey now have to fight for the second spot in the group after Today.Thanks to Turkish National team and fatih Terim!...


Fatih Terim, again, did some heroic changes in the line-up and the play system!...

In the first half, at home he played with 4-5-1 formation....

That was no no in my book!...

Also, again, I could not understand his gestures from side line...

His mean, aggressive moves from side line was unnecessary ,in my opinion!..

Emre Belezooglu,saved the Turkish National team and Fatih Terim with a Penalty kick goal

A loss would it been much worse!....

Some people might say this is the only second match in the group, but, if you can't win your home games ,it will be hard to get a ticket to world Cup 2010 in this group.

Let's not forget the matches that Turkey will play away!..

Turkey(Turkiye) 1 - 1 Belgium highlights

TURKEY 1-1 BELGIUM
31' 0 - 1 Wesley Sonck
75' Belozoglu Emre (pen) 1 - 1

90'End Match
90'End Regular Time
89'Stijn Stijnen (Belgium) receives a yellow card. Reason: Dissent
85'Belgium makes a substitution: Tom De Sutter enters for Wesley Sonck
76'Belgium makes a substitution: Filip Daems enters for Axel Witsel
75'Goal !!! Belozoglu Emre scores the penalty kick for Turkey
71'Thomas Vermaelen (Belgium) receives a yellow card. Reason: Dissent
70'Turkey makes a substitution: Mevlut Erding enters for Mehmet Topal
63'Semih Senturk (Turkey) receives a yellow card. Reason: Dissent
55'Gaby Mudingayi (Belgium) receives a yellow card. Reason: Dissent
46'Belgium makes a substitution: Gaby Mudingayi enters for Steven Defour
46'Turkey makes a substitution: Mehmet Topuz enters for Colin Kazim-Richards
45'Start 2nd Half
45'Halftime
39'Mehmet Topal (Turkey) receives a yellow card. Reason: Dissent
31'Goal !!! Wesley Sonck scores for Belgium
26'Gill Swerts (Belgium) receives a yellow card. Reason: Dissent
13'Turkey makes a substitution: Halil Altintop enters for Tuncay Sanli
0'Kickoff


Current Lineup
Turkey Belgium
1 Volkan Demirel (G) ( G) Stijn Stijnen 1
2 Servet Cetin (D) ( D) Gill Swerts 16
3 Caglar Birinci (D) (D) Filip Daems 2
4 Gokhan Zan (D) (D) Vincent Kompany 4
6 Gokhan Gonul (D) (D) Thomas Vermaelen 14
5 Belozoglu Emre (M) (D) Jan Vertonghen 15
7 Arda Turan (M) (M) Timmy Simons 3
16 Mehmet Topuz (M) (M) Gaby Mudingayi 6
9 Semih Senturk (F) (M) M. Fellaini 17
17 Halil Altintop (F) (F) Moussa Dembele 18
18 Mevlut Erding (F) (F) Tom De Sutter 13

Group 5
Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
Turkey 2 1 1 0 3 1 4
Belgium 2 1 1 0 4 3 4
Bosnia-Her 2 1 0 1 7 1 3
Spain 1 1 0 0 1 0 3
Armenia 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
Estonia 2 0 0 2 2 10 0

TURKEY(TURKIYE) V BELGIUM LIVE...

Ugur Boral, Hakan Balta and Mehmet Aurello will not play today against Belgium.

Caglar from Denizlispor will play for Turkish side for first time....

Here is the first eleven for Turkish National team...

1 Volkan Demirel
6 Gökhan Gönül
2 Servet
4 Gökhan Zan
7 Çağlar
11 Kazım
13 Mehmet Topal
5 Emre
14 Arda
17 Tuncay
9 Semih

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