Galatasaray jump to top as Kayserispor lose

December 20, 2009

Kayserispor are no longer in first place in the Turkish Super Lig following a 1-2 defeat by Antalyaspor. Galatasaray beat Genclerbirligi to take advantage.

Only five minutes had passed in Kayseri when Korhan Ozturk put Antalyaspor ahead, and an own goal from Ariza Makukula doubled the gap four minutes after the break.

Omer Sismanoglu pulled one back in the 89th minute but it was too little, too late.

Galatasaray jumped to the top of the table thanks to a 1-0 win over Genclerbirligi in Istanbul. Harry Kewell scored the only goal after 77 minutes.

Bursaspor, who beat Besiktas 2-3 on Friday, also remain ahead of Kayserispor and are now placed second.

Tags: antalyaspor, bursaspor, five minutes, four minutes, galatasaray, gap, genclerbirligi, harry kewell, Istanbul, Kayseri, kayserispor, makukula, Omer Sismanoglu

Kayserispor jump to top in Turkey

December 7, 2009

Kayserispor are the surprising new leaders in the Turkish Super Lig, following a 3-0 win over Bursaspor on Sunday.

After Fenerbahce’s 2-1 defeat at Eskisehirspor a day earlier, several clubs had a chance to jump into first place.

Galatasaray were the principal candidates to do so but were held to a 1-1 draw by Istanbul BB in a city derby. A goal from Harry Kewell in the 56th minute seemed to be enough for Galatasaray to secure the points, but Hasan Durtuluk silenced the home crowd with a 90th-minute equaliser.

Bursaspor were next in line to threaten Fenerbahce’s lead, but instead lost 3-0 to Kayserispor who now occupy the top spot based on goal record.

Omer Sismanoglu put the home side ahead after nine minutes, and goals from Ariza Makukula in the 32nd and 55th minute gave Kayserispor a comfortable win.

Kayserispor, Fenerbahce and Besiktas all have 31 points from 15 games, but Kayserispor’s goal record is the better of the three.

Tags: bb, besiktas, bursaspor, fenerbahce, galatasaray, harry kewell, hasan, Hasan Durtuluk, home crowd, Istanbul, kayserispor, makukula, new leaders, Omer Sismanoglu, principal candidates, Turkey

Galatasaray draw with Manisaspor

November 23, 2009

Galatasaray failed to close the gap with Turkish leaders Fenerbahce, being held to a 1-1 draw by Manisaspor.

Initially, things went according to plan for Galatasaray as Harry Kewell put the Istanbul outfit ahead after 38 minutes at Ali Sami Yern stadium.

‘Gala’ failed to hold on to that lead however as Canadian Josh Simpson leveled the score with just eight minutes to go.

The gap with Fenerbahce is as such reduced from three to two points, but ‘Fener’ remain on top in the Super Lig.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Ali, fener, fenerbahce, galatasaray, gap, harry kewell, Istanbul, jonathan, josh simpson, Manisaspor, sami, score, super lig, turkish leaders, yern

Turkey: Galatasaray win, Fenerbahce drop points

November 2, 2009

Galatasaray close on Turkish Super Lig leaders Fenerbahce thanks to a 2-0 win over Sivasspor, while their local rivals drew 1-1 at Kayserispor.

Shabani Nonda put Galatasaray ahead after just 11 minutes against Sivasspor, and Harry Kewell made it 2-0 just before the half time whistle.

Leaders Fenerbahce initially had things going according to plan, with an opening goal from Cristian in the 20th minute.

But Kayserispor didn’t give up and equalized from the penalty spot in the 70th minute, with Franco Kangele directing the spot kick past keeper Volkan Demirel.

As a result of Sunday’s games, the gap between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray is reduced to just three points. Bursaspor are third at five points from the leaders.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: cristian, fenerbahce, five points, Franco, Franco Kangele, galatasaray, half time, harry kewell, rivals, roorda, s games, shabani, sivasspor, Turkey, whistle

Fenerbahce lose, Galatasaray win in Turkey

October 19, 2009

Fenerbahce suffered their first defeat of the season in Sunday’s away match to Gaziantepspor, while Galarasaray earned a 4-3 win over Trabzonspor.

The match between Gaziantepspor and Fenerbahce seemed to head for an away victory after Semih Senturk’s goal in the 26th minute, but Gaziantepspor never gave up, with a late turn-around as result.

Julio Cesar first leveled the score in the 84th minute, and then added a winning goal near the full time whistle.

Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 4-3 in a very entertaining match in Istanbul. Harry Kewell opened the score in the 23rd minute and Servet Cetin doubled Gala’s advantage in the 37th.

Goals from Cora and Colman then allowed Trabzonspor to fight back to 2-2, but Turan and Baros soon reacted to restore the original gap. Colman pulled back another late on, but Galatasaray now held on to their lead to secure the three points.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: baros, cetin, colman, cora, fenerbahce, full time, gap, gaziantepspor, harry kewell, Istanbul, julio cesar, match, roorda, score, senturk, turan, Turkey, victory, whistle

Socceroo Kewell to miss South Korea friendly

September 2, 2009

Socceroos striker Harry Kewell will miss Australia’s friendly against South Korea in Seoul this weekend due to an ankle injury, coach Pim Verbeek said.

Verbeek said Kewell had not recovered from a knock on his ankle sustained while representing his Turkish club Galatasaray last month.

“As a result it is not worth the risk of bringing Harry to Korea for the match and it is better that he receives treatment instead,” Verbeek said late Tuesday.

He said David Carney, Luke Wilkshire and Danny Invincibile had also withdrawn from Saturday’s friendly, further weakening a side already missing captain Lucas Neill and midfield talisman Tim Cahill.

SYDNEY (AFP)

Tags: Australia, Captain Lucas Neill, Club, coach, Danny Invincibile, david carney, Harry, harry kewell, invincibile, Lucas Neill, luke wilkshire, match, midfield, seoul, socceroo, south korea, striker, SYDNEY, talisman, tim cahill, worth the risk

Galatasaray win at Ankaraspor

September 1, 2009

Galatasaray beat Ankaraspor 0-2 on Monday to surpass local rivals Fenerbahce and move into first place in the Turkish Süper Lig.

The match, played at Ankara’s Yenikent ASAS Stadium, remained goalless for 73 minutes. It was then that Harry Kewell finally broke the deadlock in Gala’s favor.

The second goal came ten minutes later and was scored by Shabani Nonda.

Galatasaray share the first place with Fenerbahce, as both have won all of their first four games, but have a better goal record than their arch rivals.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: ankara, ankaraspor, arch rivals, asas, ASAS Stadium, fenerbahce, four games, Gala, galatasaray, harry kewell, match, nonda galatasaray, super lig

Galatasaray beat Denizlispor to stay on top

August 16, 2009

After winning their opening match last week, Galatasaray also won their second to defend their lead in the Turkish Super Lig. Denizlispor were brushed aside 4-1.

It wasn’t an easy first half though, for the home side. Denizlispor even took the lead through Emil Angelov in the 39th minute, but Harry Kewell limited damage by equalised just before the interval.

Arda Turan then put ‘Gala’ in the lead in the 59th minute and Kewell, who had scored his first goal from the spot, did so again seven minutes after the hour.

An own goal from Ahmet Solakel set the score to 4-1 in the 75th minute.

Galatasaray remain in first place, but may have to share their top spot with Fenerbahce, Bursaspor and Ankaraspor after Sunday’s games.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: 59th minute, AHMET, ankaraspor, denizlispor, emil, Emil Angelov, Gala, galatasaray, harry kewell, interval, Jonathan Roorda, s games, score, super lig

Aussies hand ´severe´ lesson to Ireland

August 13, 2009

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trappatoni described his team’s 3-0 international friendly defeat to Australia as a “severe lesson”.

Tim Cahill’s brace shortly before half-time, taking his international tally to 18 in 34 games, and David Carney’s wonder-strike from 30 yards dealt a psychological blow to Trapattoni ahead of their three remaining World Cup qualifiers.

The Italian coach believes the superior condition of Pim Verbeek’s side was the key factor in the visitors’ win.

“It was a severe lesson for us,” Trapattoni admitted. “I am a little bit disappointed like the team, but in pre-season this situation can happen.

“It is normal against a team that is 40 percent more fit. The players sometimes don’t understand that but in 30 years I know that.

“I questioned myself before how many players can play 90 minutes with a good performance.”

The lesson Trapattoni felt needed to be learned ahead of their World Cup qualifier in Cyprus on September 5 is likely to be a reference to the slack defending which left them two-down at the break.

In the 38th minute, Cahill took advantage of a two against two at the back, feeding Scott McDonald down the inside-right channel.

The Celtic striker passed back to the Everton midfielder 20 yards out and his low left-footed strike wrong-footed Shay Given to put his side in front.

Then a minute before the interval, Aiden McGeady lazily looked to take a ball in his stride on the left wing but was beaten to it by Rhys Williams who raced into box and turned Kilbane before firing a shot at Given.

The Irish keeper could only parry the ball back into the danger area and Cahill was there to power home.

Though 2-0 was flattering enough at the break, it could have been an even greater lead for the visitors had Harry Kewell not headed over Mark Bresciano’s free kick at the back post, after which the Galatasaray man pleaded for a penalty for Damian Duff pulling his shirt.

Verbeek was understandably delighted with his team’s performance though he admitted it flattered them a little.

“We played well defensively we were well organised, we won most of the first balls and were in control,” Verbeek said.

“We have players who work hard and have special abilities. I’m very pleased with the result, but I think 3-0 was too much.”

The nearest Ireland came to getting on the scoresheet was when substitute Keith Andrews’ low 88th minute strike from the edge of the area came back off Mark Schwarzer’s right post.

Prior to Cahill’s first strike, the game was an even affair with McGeady the best player on view. Twice midway through the half he created openings, moving inside from the left flank to set up Irish chances.

A measured cross-field ball enabled Duff on the right wing to cut inside the area onto his left foot, but Carney deflected his effort wide. ‘

Then a neat pass into the box found Robbie Keane, but after turning Patrick Kisnorbo well he was denied by Schwarzer.

Ireland created few chances in the second half with Stephen Hunt’s left-footed effort, after Robbie Keane’s neat backheel, which skewed wide summing up a very disappointing first international football game for the home fans at Thomond Park.

LIMERICK, Ireland (AFP)

Tags: Australia, Cyprus, damian duff, danger area, david carney, Duff, everton, free kick, giovanni trappatoni, harry kewell, international tally, Keith Andrews, left wing, Limerick, Mark Bresciano, mark schwarzer, mcgeady, Patrick Kisnorbo, pim verbeek, republic of ireland, rhys williams, Robbie Keane, scott mcdonald, shay, Shay Given, slack, Stephen Hunt, striker, thomond park, tim cahill, world cup qualifier, world cup qualifiers

You´re on your own in Socceroo attack, McDonald told

August 12, 2009

Australia coach Pim Verbeek has warned Scott McDonald to get used to playing as a lone striker and suggested he will have Mark Viduka to compete with for this role in next summer’s World Cup finals.

Speaking ahead of Australia’s game with Republic of Ireland at Limerick’s Thomond Park, Verbeek rebuffed McDonald’s earlier suggestion that he will look to alter the team’s style to be more of an attacking threat before the tournament in South Africa.

With no other senior strikers available McDonald is set to play up front on his own, supported by Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell.

“You should not change too many things that are good and I think we had a very good campaign…and the players know exactly what I like,” Verbeek said.

“I’m not going to use too many friendly matches for changing the system because I think we’re doing well with the system we are playing.

“We have the players to play 4-2-3-1 so why should I change that? It’s up to Scotty and all the other players to pick up a spot in that selection.”

Verbeek was more encouraging to Viduka. The veteran striker is expected to seal a move to Portsmouth in the coming days, but once his future is assured, and assuming he returns to full fitness, Verbeek expects him to return to the Socceroos fold for the first time since the 2007 Asia Cup.

“I think the only motivation for him to start playing football again is to go to the World Cup so that’s good for us,” Verbeek added.

“I did everything to at least get him in the squad (for the June World Cup qualifiers) but at that moment he was so disappointed about what happened in Newcastle…so he said: ?mentally I cannot do it again and come into the Middle East at 40 degrees – I need time to think about my future.’

“The door is open for him, not because he’s Mark Viduka but because he is a good football player and he has ten months to show me that he is good enough to be a part of the selection.”

Verbeek is meanwhile confident his makeshift defence will be competitive against the Irish strike pairing of Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, who is over a hernia injury.

Rhys Williams will play his second game at right back and, with Lucas Neill looking some distance from match fitness, Jade North will partner Patrick Kisnorbo in the heart of the Australian defence, with David Carney slotting in at left back.

Just as importantly, with holding midfielder Vince Grella out, Mile Jedinak plays in front of the back four.

“We miss some central defenders because they’re all injured or they play in Australia,” Verbeek insisted.

“We will give everything to make it a very interesting game for the fans and a fantastic test for Ireland for their very important game they play next month in Cyprus.”

Irish coach Giovanni Trapattoni for his part rebuffed suggestions from his assistant Liam Brady that his first eleven will be the same which take the field in the World Cup qualifier in Nicosia in three weeks.

“It is not the team that will play in Cyprus,” Trapattoni said. “Don’t think ahead to the future.”

Trapattoni insisted the door is not shut on the senior players not in his squad such as Steve Finnan, Lee Carsley and Clinton Morrison, but suggested that the latter will struggle to be included in future squads because he is similar in style to Doyle.

“My rule is never say never. I don’t forget Steve Finnan. At the moment we have to play with 11 players. (Caleb) Folan is a different type of striker, for playing a different way. Morrison’s movement is like Doyle.”

LIMERICK, Ireland (AFP)