UEFA: Alex eyes UEFA Cup spot in Kiev

Fenerbahçe SK midfielder Alex took a break from preparations for his team's UEFA Champions League tie at FC Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday to come into the Talk Football chatroom and answer questions put to him by uefa.com users from around the globe. The Brazilian emphasised the importance of the match in Ukraine, which will see his side clinch a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 should they win, while also giving an insight into his life in Turkey.

The next UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv is a must win in order to get into the UEFA Cup. What will your mentality be before such a crucial match? Canbek Alakay, New Jersey, USA
Alex: It's a very, very important game for us. It's important that Fenerbahçe keep playing in Europe and there is an interesting angle – the UEFA Cup final will be played in our home stadium this year. So, it's a good chance for us to recover from the slow start we've had this season.

How do you like working under new coach Luis Aragonés? Patrick Gouveia
Alex: I really like Luis. I've never worked with a coach who is so interested in football. He knows about everything; you can never come and tell him news that he doesn't already know! He is aware of everything that is happening all around the world and I like it. Besides, he defends his players, no matter what. Yes, he is demanding. There are harsh reprimands and he gives a good scolding now and then. But this is all internal; it never leaks to the press.

What were your first impressions of the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium and what do you think of the Fenerbahçe fans? Mehmet Guzel
Alex: The first impression I had was when I arrived at the airport and there were 10,000 people there waiting for me. They are real fanatics; Fenerbahçe is above everything. As time goes by, it just gets bigger and bigger. They are the best fans in the world.

Your contract expires at the end of this season. What are your future plans? Hurol Emre Candan, Cairo, Egypt
Alex: We are talking about the extension of my current contract and the feeling is that I will stay at Fenerbahçe. This year I've had the most relaxed holidays of my life, nobody has come after me. Yes, if a big European club makes me an offer, then we will sit and analyse. But things have cooled off, I am not a youngster anymore and I am happy here.

What is your favourite Turkish food? Do you ever cook Turkish food and, if so, what? Aykut Sinanoglu, Chicago, USA
Alex: I don't have a favourite food. As long as it is not too spicy, I can eat anything. No, I've never cooked Turkish food. It is not my speciality and I don't like to mess in the kitchen!

In which club or country did you enjoy playing the most and why? Guney Serkan Cakmakli, Columbia, USA
Alex: If I had to choose a club, it wouldn't be fair on the others. But regarding 'where', I can honestly say there is no place on earth like our stadium. Fenerbahçe fans are the best I've ever seen.

As a huge fan living in Australia, I wake up for every game I possibly can. However, this year the results have been very mixed. Sometimes it is easy to blame the coach and sometimes it is easy to blame the players. Could you provide some insight into why Fenerbahçe have had such mixed results? Sabit Kozak, Sydney, Australia
Alex: After two years with Zico, a guy who used to chat a lot with all the players, we've had a change. Luis Aragonés is a different coach, he's got a different style and it takes time to adapt, for both him and the players. Now the hurricane has subsided and the results are starting to follow.

How would you compare the fans and players of Brazil and Turkey? Andaç Altan, Ankara, Turkey
Alex: Turkish fans are much better. They are noisier and they participate more throughout the game. There are good Brazilian supporters, but there are clubs whose supporters go to the football stadium as if they were going to the theatre. All Turkish fans are great, all around the country.

Which was your best match for Fenerbahçe? Kazim Can, Kocaeli, Turkey
Alex: I've played plenty of good matches. I remember I scored two goals last season at Beşiktaş and I had a good game against PSV Eindhoven two years ago, and also against CSKA Moskva in the last Champions League. I've played more than 200 games for Fenerbahçe now, so there have been many days when I went home knowing I had played really well.

Who is the best player you have played with and the best player you have played against in Turkey? Omar, USA
Alex: The best Turkish player I've played with is Semih Şentürk. The best that I've played against is Sergen [Yalçin], Beşiktaş's old No10.

I heard that you can speak Turkish a little bit. Was it hard to learn? Kemal Önen, Zurich, Switzerland
Alex: Well, I've never studied Turkish. I've promised the president that if we extend my contract, I will go to school and I'll definitely learn it! I understand almost everything, but speaking is quite hard. When I am with a group of friends, I try to speak some and I mix it with English and Spanish. But if I am not with friends, it's harder.

What do you think about the rivalry between Galatasaray AŞ and Fenerbahçe? Oguzhan Fidan, Berlin, Germany
Alex: It's a fierce rivalry, isn't it? Look, for me Corinthians against Palmeiras, back in Brazil, was something big. Because I felt it throughout the week, I could understand everything that was being said. Here, I am sure the rivalry is bigger. However, I don't feel it as I did in Brazil, simply because I am not Turkish.

Can Fenerbahçe win the Turkish Süper Lig? Can we get into the UEFA Cup and play in the final in our own stadium? luetfiye Yilmaz
Alex: Yes, I think we can do both. We are working towards that and things have started to work better for our side. Let's never forget that, although we did well in the last Champions League, the domestic league has always been and will always be our priority.

Some players play for one team but are in love with another club. Which team do you support? Which team excites you as a fan? Oguz Kubilay Han, Istanbul, Turkey
Alex: I support Coritiba, my first club. And there is no team that excites me more than any other. I like football, really. If I see a good game on TV, be it in the Brazilian league, the Spanish league or whatever, I will always stop and watch it.

What is your favourite playing system and which do you want to play? Ahmet Yavuz Metinoglu, Konya, Turkey
Alex: I like to play as a midfielder really close to the strikers. I have no preference in terms of systems.

Since you signed for the club a few years ago, have you noticed an improvement in your style of play and in Fenerbahçe's performances overall? Cathal Kearney, Bunclody, Ireland
Alex: I sure did. I have added lots of things to my game, to my style. You have to learn in order to improve. And Fenerbahçe have certainly got better during these years. You just have to look at our results to see that.

What does Fenerbahçe need most to be successful in European competition? Dinçer Özcan, Turkey
Alex: Fenerbahçe need more high-level players. Little by little, they have to improve the quality of the players. There is one policy that needs to be changed, in my opinion. Here they consider 24, 25-year-old players to be youngsters. For me, they should give more opportunities to boys who are 18, 19. They are really young. Then, when they are 24, 25, they will be peaking; they will be first-team regulars. That would be very helpful for the club and they would be stronger in Europe.

Alex was speaking to Julio Gomes Filho

Courtesy of UEFA.com

TURKEY TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE WEEK 14 ,PREVIEW...

The week 14, in the Turkish TurkCell Super League will open on Friday As Fenerbahce visits Denizlispor.

The team who had a bad start in the league came behind and moved up in the standings very well!..............

FIRST, OLD BUSINESS FROM LAST WEEK!.............

I am talking about Fenerbahce,after beating Mustafa Denizli's Besiktas last week moved in to the top five..............

It was very crucial match for Fenerbahce.......

Just think, a loss against Besiktas would it put them out of the chase..

Because a loss would leave them with 20 points in the standings 8 points behind the top team!..

Fenerbahce knew they had the win this match....

That's why they had more desire to win the match!..............

On the other hand, Besiktas, after Trabzon leaving two points in Kayseri, had a chance the capture the top spot with 28 points and leave Fenerbahce at 20 points!...

This is why , Mustafa Denizli's Besiktas, had to win this match!...

Earlier in the week, Denizli was upset with the people that was criticizing him, for giving the match away!........

Why?!.............

Can't we talk about the mistakes!............

I wonder if he knew the important of last weeks match against Fenerbahce...

If he knew, He would not wait until 20 minutes left in the match to make a substitution............

Well, I just had to get this out of my chest again!.....

FRIDAY...................

Getting back to the Friday's match.....

Fenerbahce leads the form table in the league in the last six weeks...

they have won their last three home matches and in the last three away matches they won one and draw two matches.

On the other hand unpredictable Denizlispor who has a very young roster scores a lot goals but also lets in a lot of goals too!...

They have a big problem on defense...............

They are though at home though!...

In the last three home matches they won two and draw one....

If they get one point against Fenerbahce , that would spoil Fenerbahce's day!...


SATURDAY.........

There are four matches on Saturday....

Three of them will be on early in the day............(07:00 ET)

Antalyaspor against Eskisehirspor, Gaziantepspor will host Kayserispor and two teams from Ankara,Hacettepe, Genclerbirligi will play for brother ship!...
In the late and night match Besiktas the team who gave the match to Fenerbahce last week will try to mend the wounds by winning the match at home against Ankaraspor.

That won't be easy though............

Ankaraspor who has 23 points two points behind of Besiktas...

So, They could well spoil Besiktas's day, in Istanbul!............

It will be hard fought match ,in my opinion..............

Besiktas, has to win this match, other wise , Mustafa Denizli could be in the hot seat!............

SUPER SUNDAY!.............

Well, we could call it Super Sunday...........

All the most important matches will take place on Sunday.

Leagues top team Trabzonspor will play in the early day match at home against the last team in the standing, Kocaelispor!..........

But, wait, Kocaelispor will not be easy team to beat....

They won their second match of the year beating Konyaspor with three goals at home...

They looked like a team last week!.............

Also on Sunday, early day match, in Istanbul, the team who has no fan base will play against top contender Sivaspor ........

This time there will be fans in the big old Ataturk Olympic Stadium but , they will cheer for Sivaspor...........

Because, there is a big Sivaspor fans who are living in Istanbul.........

Like Besiktas, Sivasspor has 25 points going in to week 14.

Sivaspor has to win this match if they want to make a run for the top spot...

Elsewhere on Sunday in the early match, Konyaspor will host Bursaspor at home....

Konyaspor who has 15 points , has to beat Bursaspor if they don't want to go to danger zone of the league...........

Last match of the week 14, will take a place in Ankara , Ankaragucu against Galatasaray...........

By the time this match rolls on, we should know who is on top and who on the bottom!..


Galatasaray who is with 24 points, will probably be the lucky team of the week!...

A negative news and scores from the top contender will make Galatasaray smile to the bank!...........

They would be more motivated for this match in Ankara............

A win would bring them to 27 points ...............

But, one small thing...........

When ever Galatasaray plays in European competition , they don't do good in the Turkcell Super League..........

On the other hand, Ankaragucu has not win a match in last three home matches!....


So, two weeks to go to brake in the Turkcell Super League, the heat is on.......

The heat is on on top and the bottom too.........

There are six teams who are competing for the top spot at this moment.........

But, what ever week 14 will bring we don't know yet!..........

Wr know one thing though..............

Trabzonspor is the top team with 28 points and they are playing at home.........

And Trabzonspor has't loss any matc at home yet....but they draw three!....

A draw will cost them the top spot,,,,,,,,,,,,

If Besiktas or Sivaspor wins one of them will capture the top spot from Trabzonspor in the case of a draw!...................

So, week 14, in the Turkcell Super League will be very crucial........

The winners will go on .......losers will cry!............

Have Great weekend...............

AHMET TURGUT/
TURKISH SOCCER COLUMNIST

TURKISH DELIGHT FOR GALATASARAY!.....

Galatasaray advance in UEFA Cup

Hertha Berlin 0-1 Galatasaray.


Galatasaray advanced to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup as Milan Baros scored the only goal at Hertha Berlin.

Baros converted a penalty in the 69th minute to give the Turkish side nine points from four games in Group B.

Hertha, who were playing in front of an estimated 40,000 Turkish fans at their home Olympic Stadium, remained on two points from three matches but can still advance if they win at Olympiacos in a fortnight.

Hertha had the first real chance of the game in the fifth minute as Raffael played in Marko Pantelic, who worked past Sabri Sarioglu and got a fine shot on goal, but Morgan de Sanctis was perfectly placed.

The Turks began taking over the game, with Lincoln influential.

The former Schalke playmaker struck dangerously from 20 yards but Hertha keeper Jaroslav Drobny parried the ball over his crossbar.

Lincoln again sent a fine blast on goal four minutes later from 22 yards but again could not beat Drobny, who dove to his right and fisted Lincoln's shot away with his left hand.

It was again Lincoln versus Drobny after 40 minutes and once again the Berlin stopper kept out the Galatasaray midfielder's long shot.

And Drobny was again in fine form just before the break, stopping Baros from 16 yards.

Berlin were better in the second half and missed a golden chance to grab the lead on the hour mark as Andriy Voronin and Pantelic both failed to make the most of a two-on-one situation.

Six minutes later, Gojko Kacar's 24-yard blast was fended away by De Sanctis.

And the Turks made Hertha pay for not converting with a penalty on 69 minutes. Steve von Bergen handled Harry Kewell's cross in the area and Baros stepped up to the spot, beating Drobny in the right corner.

De Sanctis tipped Josip Simunic's header over his crossbar after 74 minutes and then defender Servet Cetin kept out Kacar's shot.

Three minutes later, Valeri Domovchiyski worked his way through the Galatasaray defence but couldn't get shot on goal from four yards out.

Hertha pushed forward looking for the equaliser and had a series of good opportunities but could not get a decent shot on goal.

Hertha Berlin v Galatasaray ....Preview

Galatasaray will be heading to Berlin looking to do what they failed to manage last week at home to Metalist Kharkiv.

The Turkish giants, coached by German Michael Skibbe, still need a point to guarantee their place in the last 32 after following up victories in their opening two games with a 1-0 loss to the Ukrainians.

But midfielder Lincoln warned the 2000 UEFA Cup winners cannot afford to sit back and play for a draw.

"Hertha are strong. We have to be wide awake and not just concentrate on defending,'' the former Schalke man said in Kicker.

Galatasaray needs a point to advance to the round of 32 when the two sides meet Wednesday in the UEFA Cup.

Galatasaray will feel at home in Berlin's Olympic stadium, with tens of thousands of tickets going to Turks living in Germany.

Skibbe will be without a host of players, including Hasan Sas, Serkan Calik, Ugur Ucar and Tobias Linderoth.

Ayhan Akman is also suspended for the match.

Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic insists he is not bothered if he is again asked the play the role of super-sub in tomorrow's UEFA Cup clash at home to Galatasaray.

The Serbia international came off the bench to net a late winner against Cologne last Friday as Lucien Favre's men strengthened their surprise bid for the Bundesliga title.

Pantelic had been reportedly unhappy with his treatment by Favre, who has left him out of the starting line-up for the last three games, but the pair now appear to have put aside any differences.

Asked if he was worrying about whether he would get to start or have to make do with a place on the bench again against the Turks, the 30-year-old told the Berliner Kurier: "It is totally unimportant. This is a final for us. We can only win it as a team - and we are a team.

"There is a really good atmosphere in the dressing room. Everyone can work with everyone. Old and young players have to grow together. That is the reason why we are so successful on the pitch at the moment.''

The capital club are indeed enjoying a fine run, having won their last four games in the league to climb to third.

They have, though, yet to win in UEFA Cup Group B, with two draws from their opening two games.

Pantelic has scored their only goal in the competition so far, again coming off the bench to grab the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Benfica, and victory tomorrow looks a necessity if they are to make the knockout stages.

Hertha lie second bottom of the group and have a tough-looking trip to Greece to face Olympiacos - 5-1 winners over Benfica in their last game - to come in the final match.

Whether Pantelic starts is likely to depend on the fitness of fellow frontman Andriy Voronin, who is battling a bout of flu.

The on-loan Liverpool forward said: "I feel quite weak and because of the doping regulations was not allowed to take any medication. But I will battle through.''

Midfielder Maximilian Nicu is definitely out because of a gastro-intestinal infection.

UEFA CUP 2009 FINAL ISTANBUL LOGO UNVEILED!...

Turkish Football(soccer) Federation unveiled the new logo for UEFA CUP Finals 2009 which will be played at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on May 20th of 2009.

The special event took place in Istanbul Süreyya Opera House to announce the new logo on Tuesday with a large attendance from UEFA and Turkish officials.

Turkish Football(soccer) Association (TFF) President Mahmut Ozgener said,"We feel proud because we can make the name of our city and country heard," "I believe this final will open the door for Turkey to host some bigger events, such as the UEFA European Championship. Our aim is to see at least one Turkish team in the final."

The only Turkish member in the UEFA organization, Senes Erzik, also talked about how he was excited about having the finals in Istanbul , UEFA vice-President and honorary TFF President,Senez Erzik said, "I am excited and proud. Istanbul has learned from past experiences like the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Milan in 2005. I can assure people coming to the final that they will received a traditional Turkish welcome next May."

Tickets will go on sale from Friday at 12.00 Local Turkey time and end at the same time on 23 January of 2009. Fans in Turkey will be able to purchase a maximum of two tickets, with prices ranging from €75 to €130.

ROBERTO CARLOS WAS THERE TOO!....

Fenerbahce's Brazilian soccer star Roberto Carlos poses with the logo of the UEFA Cup Final 2009 during a presentation in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008. The UEFA Cup 2009 Final will take place at Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul in May 20, 2009.(AP)

FORMER GALATASARAY CAPTAIN BULENT KORKMAZ WAS ALSO THERE........


Former Galatasaray captain Bulent Korkmaz, left, and Fenerbahce's Brazilian soccer star Roberto Carlos pose with a symbolic match ticket of the UEFA Cup Final 2009 during a presentation in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008. The UEFA Cup 2009 Final will take place at Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul in May 20, 2009.(AP)


AHMET TURGUT

TURKISH-AMERICAN YOUTH,’ "SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR" IN NEW YORK...

According to report from FiveBoroSports , Turkish-American Youth , Cemil Turan was choosing the "Player of the Year" in the High School competition in the Staten Island.

Cemil Turan who plays for St. Peters High School, scored 29 goals in the league wants to play in Turkey according the report.

Also,, another Turkish-American youth player Kemal Gurel, who plays for New Dorp High School made it to "ALL-STATEN ISLAND FIRST TEAM "

I just hope , Turkish Football(soccer) national team coach Fatih Terim will turn his eyes to the Turkish- American youth who are getting really good training her in the United States.

I wonder how many of kids like Cemil Turan, who are playing youth level football(soccer) in the United states....

Please respond, if you are current youth players playing in the youth level (ages 6 to 18) in the United States and Canada.

Drop a line to me,please...
contact@turkishsoccer.net

AHMET TURGUT

GUTSY GRANDPA ARAGONES BEAT MUSTAFA DENIZLI'S BESIKTAS

Fenerbahce's Spanish coach Luis Aragones talks to his Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos during their Turkish Super League derby soccer match against Besiktas at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Fenerbahce won the match 2-1.(AP)

Call it luck ....call it Gutsy.......

The match of the week in the week 13, in the Turkcell Super League was the most important match of the week.......

As I wrote in my previous article, Fenerbahce was done in the Champions League, after losing against Porto at home on Tuesday....

I said, they were going to be ready for this match, if they were going to stay the course in the league...

This was the match they had to win....

The whole world knew this, accept,Besiktas's humble coach Mustafa Denizli!...

If he knew, a win would make him the top team in the league! ......

He would play differently.....

Instead, he was going for a draw ..........

He started the match with Nobre on top while guys like Bobbo, Holosko, and set play master Tello were with him on the bench!.....

I wrote it before the match.......

I said, both keeper have to have flawless match.....

Well, Volkan did, but Besiktas keeper Rustu did not........

In the 11th minute of the match on a corner kick , Selcuk Sahin scored the exactly same goal that he score against Galatasaray.

The stupid defense and Rustu Rechber made a huge mistake, on this goal....

Nobre evened things up for Besiktas in the 21st, but, another stupid mistake cost the second goal on a brake away , and Spanish International player Guiza scored the Fener's second goal in the 27 minute of the match.......

In the 41th minute. after Cisse getting his second yellow card, Besiktas was left with one man short on the field....

When every one thought , at the half, Holosko, who was warming up, was going in to the match .....

But, it was changed in the last second by Mustafa Denizli!.........

He decided not to inject any player until 20 minutes remaining of the match......

While grandpa Aragones was sending fresh players on the field, Besiktas's Mustafa Denizli was day dreaming from the sideline !....

The fear and wrong tactics cost the Besiktas this match........

A player like Holosko who scored a goal and made a assist ,one week before, had to start this match...

He was the only guy that will brake the Fenerbahce defense from the center.....

We all saw Young Serdar Ozkan did in the first half of the match.......

He had a lot of miss hits and wide shots...........

At the end Besiktas loss this match because of Denizli's mistakes..

There is no ifs or buts about it!......

With this 2-1 win, Fenerbahce, back in this race for the first time this season..

Thanks to Mustafa Denizli................


AHMET TURGUT