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Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Troubled Turkish National team will face Czechs on Friday !
Fatih Terim's injury-laden Turkey seeks salvation in its second Euro 2016 qualifying campaign against the Czech Republic in İstanbul on Friday following a bitter start to the qualifiers with a 3-0 rout by Iceland.
The other group matches on Friday pit Latvia against rampant Iceland and the Netherlands against Kazakhstan.
The real test of Terim's third era started off with an unsatisfying performance and a subsequent loss to Iceland. The coach has been left in a disadvantageous position to turn the tables in his team's favor due to the unprecedented injuries and a forced reshuffle. Terim's starting lineup for the Czech Republic match will be a mystery for many.
Schalke 04 defender Kaan Ayhan was the first one to leave the squad because of an injury to his foot and had to postpone his debut appearance with the national team. The 19-year-old chose to play for Turkey, even though he had been capped for both Turkish and German junior teams and could wait for an invitation from Germany. After the news arrived for Ayhan, five other players were reported to be absent in the Czech match due to their injuries, sending shockwaves across the nation.
Top-choice goalie Volkan Demirel will miss out on action in the Czech Republic match and the ensuing Latvia clash. The real shock is in the offensive line. The regular strikers of the team, Burak Yılmaz of Galatasaray and Mustafa Pektemek of Beşiktaş, will be sidelined, whereas the team will also lack the offensive support from Bayern Leverkusen attacking midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who will be out due to an injury. One of the key defenders of the team, Bayer Leverkusen's Ömer Toprak, will also miss the game.
In the absence of the key players, Galatasaray midfielder Hamit Altıntop has a chance to reclaim his regular spot in the national team as long as he manages to turn the liabilities into assets and show himself. The 31-year-old was last capped for the national team in a friendly against Ghana on Aug. 14, 2013, and he was the captain in that clash. He netted a total of eight goals for Turkey. He will return to the team after 14 months away. Altıntop has not fully returned to his old form following a string of injuries. He was sidelined for most of last season.
Altıntop has been on the pitch for a total of 91 minutes in the three games he played coming off the bench in Galatasaray this season.
Ahead of the Czech Republic match, Fenerbahçe's substitute goalie Mert Günok, Kasımpaşa forward Adem Büyük and Gaziantepspor forward Muhammet Demir were included in the squad.
Terim included two first-time players in the squad: Sivasspor's Ümit Kurt and Akhisar Belediyespor's Güray Vural. Speaking to reporters prior to a training session this week, 23-year-old defender Kurt said he is very happy to be included in the squad and he will do his best to represent his nation. Midfielder Vural said he hopes to be a permanent member of the team and thanked Terim for inviting him. He underlined that the next two games are now more important after the team lost to Iceland.
Turkey will hope for history to repeat itself in this critical phase as it happily remembers a historic Euro 2008 campaign against the Czechs. Under the helm of Terim in his second stint with the national team, Turkey hit two late goals in the last four minutes to get into the quarterfinals of the tournament and kicked their opponents out. The match remains one of the memorable meetings of the two sides. In their last encounter, which was a friendly last February, the Czech Republic defeated Turkey 2-0 in Manisa, a western Turkish city.
The other group matches on Friday pit Latvia against rampant Iceland and the Netherlands against Kazakhstan.
The real test of Terim's third era started off with an unsatisfying performance and a subsequent loss to Iceland. The coach has been left in a disadvantageous position to turn the tables in his team's favor due to the unprecedented injuries and a forced reshuffle. Terim's starting lineup for the Czech Republic match will be a mystery for many.
Schalke 04 defender Kaan Ayhan was the first one to leave the squad because of an injury to his foot and had to postpone his debut appearance with the national team. The 19-year-old chose to play for Turkey, even though he had been capped for both Turkish and German junior teams and could wait for an invitation from Germany. After the news arrived for Ayhan, five other players were reported to be absent in the Czech match due to their injuries, sending shockwaves across the nation.
Top-choice goalie Volkan Demirel will miss out on action in the Czech Republic match and the ensuing Latvia clash. The real shock is in the offensive line. The regular strikers of the team, Burak Yılmaz of Galatasaray and Mustafa Pektemek of Beşiktaş, will be sidelined, whereas the team will also lack the offensive support from Bayern Leverkusen attacking midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who will be out due to an injury. One of the key defenders of the team, Bayer Leverkusen's Ömer Toprak, will also miss the game.
In the absence of the key players, Galatasaray midfielder Hamit Altıntop has a chance to reclaim his regular spot in the national team as long as he manages to turn the liabilities into assets and show himself. The 31-year-old was last capped for the national team in a friendly against Ghana on Aug. 14, 2013, and he was the captain in that clash. He netted a total of eight goals for Turkey. He will return to the team after 14 months away. Altıntop has not fully returned to his old form following a string of injuries. He was sidelined for most of last season.
Altıntop has been on the pitch for a total of 91 minutes in the three games he played coming off the bench in Galatasaray this season.
Ahead of the Czech Republic match, Fenerbahçe's substitute goalie Mert Günok, Kasımpaşa forward Adem Büyük and Gaziantepspor forward Muhammet Demir were included in the squad.
Terim included two first-time players in the squad: Sivasspor's Ümit Kurt and Akhisar Belediyespor's Güray Vural. Speaking to reporters prior to a training session this week, 23-year-old defender Kurt said he is very happy to be included in the squad and he will do his best to represent his nation. Midfielder Vural said he hopes to be a permanent member of the team and thanked Terim for inviting him. He underlined that the next two games are now more important after the team lost to Iceland.
Turkey will hope for history to repeat itself in this critical phase as it happily remembers a historic Euro 2008 campaign against the Czechs. Under the helm of Terim in his second stint with the national team, Turkey hit two late goals in the last four minutes to get into the quarterfinals of the tournament and kicked their opponents out. The match remains one of the memorable meetings of the two sides. In their last encounter, which was a friendly last February, the Czech Republic defeated Turkey 2-0 in Manisa, a western Turkish city.
Source : (Cihan News )
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Besiktas and Trabzonspor looking for win in Europe !
After Galatasaray losing to Arsenal in the Champions League match with a huge score 4-1, Turkey's Besiktas and Trabzonspor will try to win today.
Besiktas will be in London and Trabzonspor will be at home.....
Besiktas will take on Tottenham while Trabzopnspor host Legia Warsaw team at home.
Beşiktas's club competition record in England is two wins and five loses, including two humiliating defeats, a 6-0 loss to Leeds United on Sept. 26, 2000, and an 8-0 defeat at Liverpool Oct. 6, 2007.
The two teams have met only once in the past, when Tottenham beat Besiktas 2-0 in the 2006-2007 UEFA Cup group stage.
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Trabzonspor will try to focus in the Europa League following a winless streak in the Turkish Super League. Trabzonspor aims to win its second match in the tournament against Legia Warsaw .
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic's side is no stranger to Legia matches, and more importantly, to the victories against Legia as the two sides met in last season's edition of the competition and Trabzonspor won both games 2-0.
Trabzonspor has only lost one of its last nine Europa League matches, when it was beaten by Italian giant Juventus in the round of 32 last season. Under the helm of Halilhodzic, the club remains undefeated this season.
Besiktas will be in London and Trabzonspor will be at home.....
Besiktas will take on Tottenham while Trabzopnspor host Legia Warsaw team at home.
Beşiktas's club competition record in England is two wins and five loses, including two humiliating defeats, a 6-0 loss to Leeds United on Sept. 26, 2000, and an 8-0 defeat at Liverpool Oct. 6, 2007.
The two teams have met only once in the past, when Tottenham beat Besiktas 2-0 in the 2006-2007 UEFA Cup group stage.
**************************************
Trabzonspor will try to focus in the Europa League following a winless streak in the Turkish Super League. Trabzonspor aims to win its second match in the tournament against Legia Warsaw .
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic's side is no stranger to Legia matches, and more importantly, to the victories against Legia as the two sides met in last season's edition of the competition and Trabzonspor won both games 2-0.
Trabzonspor has only lost one of its last nine Europa League matches, when it was beaten by Italian giant Juventus in the round of 32 last season. Under the helm of Halilhodzic, the club remains undefeated this season.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Galatasaray meets Arsenal again!
Galatasaray will be looking to take advantage of Arsenal's midfield injury crisis today as they look to pick up their first ever win in England
Galatasaray never won in England in nine attempts, although they have defeated Arsenal before in the UEFA Cup final in 2000.
Arsenal are also without long-term absentees Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Mathieu Debuchy.
Arsenal and Galatasaray are both desperately seeking points after a disappointing opening round that saw the English club lose to Borussia Dortmund while Galatasaray drew at home to Anderlecht.
Galatasaray not doing good in the Turkish Super Lig.....
New coach Cesare Prandelli is already rumored to be on the black list while Chairman Unal Aysal has already decided to step down ahead of an early election in mid-October.
In London, the Metropolitan Police Force has put itself on alert with both Galatasaray and Besiktas fans in town. Beşiktaş play Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League tomorrow. English clubs have become weary of Turkish fans after several bad experiences.
The police force in London is taking extra precautions to ensure there are no problems between opposing fans.
"We are aware of the background of the two clubs and appropriate plans will be in place. We are also aware that the clubs will have supporters already based in London," a spokesman for British Transport Police.
"We are used to dealing with large numbers of fans and we are liaising with the clubs to make sure everyone is safe and on the move."
Galatasaray never won in England in nine attempts, although they have defeated Arsenal before in the UEFA Cup final in 2000.
Arsenal are also without long-term absentees Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Mathieu Debuchy.
Arsenal and Galatasaray are both desperately seeking points after a disappointing opening round that saw the English club lose to Borussia Dortmund while Galatasaray drew at home to Anderlecht.
Galatasaray not doing good in the Turkish Super Lig.....
New coach Cesare Prandelli is already rumored to be on the black list while Chairman Unal Aysal has already decided to step down ahead of an early election in mid-October.
In London, the Metropolitan Police Force has put itself on alert with both Galatasaray and Besiktas fans in town. Beşiktaş play Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League tomorrow. English clubs have become weary of Turkish fans after several bad experiences.
The police force in London is taking extra precautions to ensure there are no problems between opposing fans.
"We are aware of the background of the two clubs and appropriate plans will be in place. We are also aware that the clubs will have supporters already based in London," a spokesman for British Transport Police.
"We are used to dealing with large numbers of fans and we are liaising with the clubs to make sure everyone is safe and on the move."
Friday, September 19, 2014
Trabzon win away match while Besiktas draw at home !
It was not good night for Besiktas but really joey for Trabzonspor in the Europa League ..
While Trabzonspor winning their match against Metalist in the last seconds of the match, Besiktas disappointed their fans by allowing goal at the 88th minute of the match !
Besiktas after missing so many chances scored in the 33th minute of the match by Gokhan Tore.
Missing chances and opportunities went on with Besiktas in the second half too !
They were not good, as far as kicking the last touches to the goal ...
And they paid for it !
Huge mistake by Besiktas defense, cost the team, two points!
In the 88th minute, Asteras scored the goal by Facundo Parras with a volley in the box !
Besiktas started the group matches with a huge disappointment...
It was the match that they should have won it easily...
Undisciplined players on the pitch was the big reason for this...
On the other hand, Trabzonspor won their match in the very last seconds of the match in Ukraine !
As I mention before, Trabzonspor probably the best form team in Turkey at this moment ..
They will hurt a lot of team this year in the Turkish Super League,,,,,,
After scoring first in away match with Kevin Constant , Metalist equalized the score ...
At the very last second of the match (injury time ) ,Trabzonspor new transfer Avram Papadopoulos
scored Trabzonspor goal and Trabzon won the away match 2-1 .
This was huge win for Trabzonspor in away match....
I think, this Trabzon team will get better as they play more matches.
Trabzonspor and Besiktas will play their league matches on Monday .
Week 3 in the #STSL takes a start with one match on Friday ..
Eskisehir will host Genclerbirligi ...
While Trabzonspor winning their match against Metalist in the last seconds of the match, Besiktas disappointed their fans by allowing goal at the 88th minute of the match !
Besiktas after missing so many chances scored in the 33th minute of the match by Gokhan Tore.
Missing chances and opportunities went on with Besiktas in the second half too !
They were not good, as far as kicking the last touches to the goal ...
And they paid for it !
Huge mistake by Besiktas defense, cost the team, two points!
In the 88th minute, Asteras scored the goal by Facundo Parras with a volley in the box !
Besiktas started the group matches with a huge disappointment...
It was the match that they should have won it easily...
Undisciplined players on the pitch was the big reason for this...
On the other hand, Trabzonspor won their match in the very last seconds of the match in Ukraine !
As I mention before, Trabzonspor probably the best form team in Turkey at this moment ..
They will hurt a lot of team this year in the Turkish Super League,,,,,,
After scoring first in away match with Kevin Constant , Metalist equalized the score ...
At the very last second of the match (injury time ) ,Trabzonspor new transfer Avram Papadopoulos
scored Trabzonspor goal and Trabzon won the away match 2-1 .
This was huge win for Trabzonspor in away match....
I think, this Trabzon team will get better as they play more matches.
Trabzonspor and Besiktas will play their league matches on Monday .
Week 3 in the #STSL takes a start with one match on Friday ..
Eskisehir will host Genclerbirligi ...
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Europa League:Besiktas at home while Trabzon will be away
Turkish teams Besiktas and Trabzonspor takes a start in the UEFA 's Europa League group matches on Thursday.....
Besiktas will face Greek team Asteras at home and Trabzon will be away in Ukraine, against Metalist Kharkiv
For Besiktas, it will be first time they will face Greek side Asteras !
With Demba Ba being in the lineup ,Besiktas should beat Asteras at home.
Asteras is the weakest team in the Group C .......
Along Asteras and Besiktas, Totenham and Partizan teams are in Group C .
Besiktas's coach Bilic after a disappointing draw against Rize at home last weekend called on Turkish Football Federation as far as the domestic league scheduling !
At the press conference after Rize match Bilic said this......
"There are 32 teams in the Champions League and 48 teams in the Europa League. Which team played on Monday?
None. None of the teams that play their matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday played in their domestic league on Monday. So why do we play on Monday? We represent not only Besiktas but also Turkey. I don't allege this as an excuse. But no matter what the result was this evening, I was going to ask this question"
He went on to say, "TFF should create better fixture for Besiktas "
************************************
Another team that represents Turkey in the Europa League,Trabzonspor will face Metalist team from Ukraine .
Trabzonspor looked really good against Fenerbahce at home last weekend .....
Although they did not score goals , they looked well organized on the pitch as a team.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic will rely on his Paraguayan star Oscar Cardozo. He missed out on domestic league derby action against Fenerbahçe last week due to a hamstring injury but joined the training for the Metalist match.
He is likely to be on the turf as Halilhodzic's strongest weapon against the Ukrainians. Trabzonspor will expect more from its new stars including Mustapha Yatabare and Majeed Waris, Kevin Constant and Essaid Belkalem on Thursday.
Besiktas will face Greek team Asteras at home and Trabzon will be away in Ukraine, against Metalist Kharkiv
For Besiktas, it will be first time they will face Greek side Asteras !
With Demba Ba being in the lineup ,Besiktas should beat Asteras at home.
Asteras is the weakest team in the Group C .......
Along Asteras and Besiktas, Totenham and Partizan teams are in Group C .
Besiktas's coach Bilic after a disappointing draw against Rize at home last weekend called on Turkish Football Federation as far as the domestic league scheduling !
At the press conference after Rize match Bilic said this......
"There are 32 teams in the Champions League and 48 teams in the Europa League. Which team played on Monday?
None. None of the teams that play their matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday played in their domestic league on Monday. So why do we play on Monday? We represent not only Besiktas but also Turkey. I don't allege this as an excuse. But no matter what the result was this evening, I was going to ask this question"
He went on to say, "TFF should create better fixture for Besiktas "
************************************
Another team that represents Turkey in the Europa League,Trabzonspor will face Metalist team from Ukraine .
Trabzonspor looked really good against Fenerbahce at home last weekend .....
Although they did not score goals , they looked well organized on the pitch as a team.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic will rely on his Paraguayan star Oscar Cardozo. He missed out on domestic league derby action against Fenerbahçe last week due to a hamstring injury but joined the training for the Metalist match.
He is likely to be on the turf as Halilhodzic's strongest weapon against the Ukrainians. Trabzonspor will expect more from its new stars including Mustapha Yatabare and Majeed Waris, Kevin Constant and Essaid Belkalem on Thursday.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Bad start for Galatasaray !
Let's face it...
It was a must win match for Galatasaray at home against Anderlecht ...
They looked very weak at home...
With this kind of football, it will be very difficult to beat other teams in the group !
Problem with Galatasaray is the midfield....
Players like Selcuk Inan in the middle is not producing !
I think, Prandelli should start Wesley Snyder in the midfield where Selcuk Inan plays ...
It was a must win match for Galatasaray at home against Anderlecht ...
They looked very weak at home...
With this kind of football, it will be very difficult to beat other teams in the group !
Problem with Galatasaray is the midfield....
Players like Selcuk Inan in the middle is not producing !
I think, Prandelli should start Wesley Snyder in the midfield where Selcuk Inan plays ...
GALATASARAY BARELY SNATCHES A DRAW !
Galatasaray drew against Anderlecht 1-1 in UEFA Champions League Group D match .
Anderlecht were close to score as Belgian team's Guinean winger Ibrahima Conte's close range shot missed the target in the 26th minute .
Three minutes later, Anderlecht's 33-year-old defender Olivier Deschacht attempted a goal in the box, but goalkeeper Fernando Muslera managed a save.
In the 35th minute of play, Galatasaray mid-fielder Felipe Melo's shot from outside the box, but it was saved by goalkeeper Davy Roef.
Galatasaray's Turkish midfielder Selcuk Inan fired from a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 40th minute - the ball shaved the post. Roef did not even move.
The first half ended as a goal-less draw.
In the 52nd minute, Anderlecht's 20-year-old Belgian attacking midfielder Dennis Praet skipped two Galatasaray players outside the area and made a shot into the far-right post, the ball hit the post and went in, 1-0.
A close-range shot by Galatasaray's Macedonian forward Goran Pandev in the 57th minute wave saved by Roef.
Galatasaray increased the pressure on Anderlecht's half to score the equalizer.
Bruma had an effort at a goal in the 62nd minute; however, the ball was deflected by Roef once again.
In the 86th minute, Galatasaray's Umut Bulut, looking for equalizer, missed a chance in the box.
In stoppage time, Galatasaray finally equalized when striker Burak Yilmaz - assisted by his Cameroonian teammate Aurelien Chedjou - easily put the ball in the back of the net, ending the game in Istanbul as a 1-1 draw.
Three minutes later, Anderlecht's 33-year-old defender Olivier Deschacht attempted a goal in the box, but goalkeeper Fernando Muslera managed a save.
In the 35th minute of play, Galatasaray mid-fielder Felipe Melo's shot from outside the box, but it was saved by goalkeeper Davy Roef.
Galatasaray's Turkish midfielder Selcuk Inan fired from a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 40th minute - the ball shaved the post. Roef did not even move.
The first half ended as a goal-less draw.
In the 52nd minute, Anderlecht's 20-year-old Belgian attacking midfielder Dennis Praet skipped two Galatasaray players outside the area and made a shot into the far-right post, the ball hit the post and went in, 1-0.
A close-range shot by Galatasaray's Macedonian forward Goran Pandev in the 57th minute wave saved by Roef.
Galatasaray increased the pressure on Anderlecht's half to score the equalizer.
Bruma had an effort at a goal in the 62nd minute; however, the ball was deflected by Roef once again.
In the 86th minute, Galatasaray's Umut Bulut, looking for equalizer, missed a chance in the box.
In stoppage time, Galatasaray finally equalized when striker Burak Yilmaz - assisted by his Cameroonian teammate Aurelien Chedjou - easily put the ball in the back of the net, ending the game in Istanbul as a 1-1 draw.
Group D
Galatasaray 1 Anderlecht 1
Borussia Dortmund 2 Arsenal 0
Galatasaray 1 Anderlecht 1
Borussia Dortmund 2 Arsenal 0
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