Wednesday, February 28, 2007
TFF Refusing To Pay for Rustu Recber's Wages
The TFF board announced its decision after its meeting in Trabzon. The Fenerbahce board said in a written statement that they would appeal to the Arbitration Board as soon as they receive the reasoning behind the decision of the TFF.
Fenerbahce had asked the TFF to pay Rustu's wages during the time that he would be out due to the fact that he was injured during a national match, not while playing for the club. Fenerbahce Vice Chairman Şekip Mosturoğlu said at the time, “We asked the TFF to pay Rüştü's wages as stated in his contract for the period he will not be able to play for Fenerbahçe. We have a right to do that. As I recall, Galatasaray did the same when Hakan Ünsal was injured in a national match.”
It was not the first time a club has made this type of request. Last summer, Belgian first division side Charleroi brought a case against FIFA for 616,000 Euro because one of its players, Abdelmajid Oulmers, returned injured from an international friendly for Morocco in November 2004. Oulmers was unable to play for his side for more than 200 days, and Charleroi argued that his absence from the pitch affected its final league and cup standings. The case pitched FIFA against the G14 group of 18 major European clubs, which threw its support behind Charleroi. However last week the G14 group hinted it might drop its complaint to the European Court of Justice in connection with the affair. G14 official Thomas Kurth told Sport-Bild magazine that if UEFA President Michel Platini and FIFA boss Joseph Blatter “proposed an acceptable solution by the end of the season, there is a theoretical possibility that the G14 and Charleroi would withdraw their complaint.”
G14 are pushing for players on international duty to be insured, that clubs earn part of the profits from European championship and World Cup finals and places on both the UEFA and FIFA executive committees.
A similar claim could easily be made by Fenerbahce this season. Fener currently sits six points atop the Turkcell Super Lig, despite the unspectacular play by reserve goalkeeper Volkan Demirel. Fenerbahce has lost only four games this season, but it could easily be argued that a healthy Rustu Recber would have prevented at least two, if not three of those losses in league play.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Turkcell Super Lig Standings (26.02.07)
http://www.fenerbahce.org/futbol/puandurumu.asp
Offensive Offense: Fenerbahce Falls 1-0 to Antalya
Zico was worried about his team's stamina coming into the game following the draining 2-2 draw (and elimination) vs. AZ Alkmaar in Holland in the UEFA Cup. However, Fener has more concerns than just fatigue with only 12 Super Lig games remaining. Despite only losing by one goal, it seemed as if Fener was never in this game. Only twice was Antalyaspor goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba challenged, looking as if he could have pulled up a chair and taken a nap in goal during much of the game.
Even more disappointing was the fact the rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas both lost prior to Sunday's game, meaning that a win would have catapulted Fenerbahce nine points up in the Turkcell Super Lig standings with only 12 games remaining. Fenerbahce knew of the golden opportunity headed into Sunday's game, but instead rewarded the fans with unimaginative, uncreative, and unproductive futbol. Fener may find themselves disappointed after being eliminated from Euro competition, but there is only one way to fix that: win the Turkcell Super Lig and get back to Champions League next year. With the way that Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Besiktas are all playing, it appears that none of them are interested in getting to Champions League next season. With Kayserispor, Konyaspor, and Genclerbirligi all within striking distance of the top, it's possible that the Super Lig could be represented by someone other than the big four for the first time in history next year. Maybe this is what it would take to light a fire under Fener.
Fenerbahce has 12 Super Lig games left to prove that they aren't the Chelsea of Turkish futbol - a team loaded with talent that fails to reach their potential.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
2-Goal Revenge: Fener, AZ Draw 2-2; Fener Eliminated
Fenerbahce's Centennial hopes of European success have ended following a 2-2 draw in Holland vs. AZ Alkmaar. Unlike the first leg, it was Fener who got off to a quick start today and gained the two-goal advantage. But just like the first leg, the home team came back from being down two goals to tie it up, and it was enough for AZ to advance in the UEFA Cup. A game that looked so promising for Fenerbahce ended in despair.
Fenerbahce limited AZ Alkmaar to only one shot in the first half, while Fener struck gold twice from the feet of Tumer Metin in the 21st minute and Alex de Souza in the 34th minute. Fenerbahce controlled the game for much of the first half. Tumer's goal came from a cross from the foot of Mateja Kezman, and Metin nailed it from just outside the penalty area to put Fener ahead 1-0. Thirteen minutes later, Kezman, who missed the first leg, again sent a cross to Alex de Souza in the middle of the box allowing Alex to score and put Fener up 2-0. The goal was Fenerbahce's fourth straight in the series, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to take a 5-3 aggregate advantage.
After the break, AZ made some crucial substitutions and began an immediate attack, while Fener played a bit pensively. Zico's men appeared to be playing to "not lose" rather than keep up the attack and win the game. Finally, in the 63rd minute, Maarten Martens scored for AZ, bringing them only one goal away from advancing. Fenerbahce again shrugged a bit on the pitch, while AZ kept up their attack. Fenerbahce seemed to be playing for their lives, rather than playing like a team with the advantage looking to pick up an insurance goal. The Fener defense held strong despite the attack for most of the second half, and Volkan Demirel made some crucial saves in goal for Fener. As the second half wound down, the desperation began to settle in, but it seemed both teams were becoming desperate rather than just AZ Alkmaar. The momentum had clearly shifted to the Dutch outfit, and Fener was hanging on for dear lives. Finally, only four minutes from regulation, Barry Opdam headed in a free kick from the right off the foot of Julian Jenner to tie the game at 2-2 and complete the comeback for AZ. Despite there being enough time for another goal, it was easy to see that there would be no comeback for the Yellow Canaries tonight. The game ended at 2-2, as did Fenerbahce's European hopes in their 100th year.
Fenerbahce had more shots on goal in the game - ten, compared to only seven for AZ. Six of those were on target for Fener, but AZ goalkeeper Boy Waterman was again fantastic in goal for the Dutch side. AZ committed 13 fouls in the game, compared to ten for Fenerbahce. Corner kicks were nearly even for both teams, with AZ having seven opportunities from the corner and Fener having eight. Ball control percentage skewed tremendously in the second half to AZ, and they ended up having possession for 59% of the time compared to only 41% for Fenerbahce. Deniz Baris and Stephen Appiah both picked up yellow cards for Fenerbahce. Opdam and Steinsson acquired yellows for AZ.
More Fenerbahce vs. AZ Alkmaar Game Notes
If AZ manage to avoid defeat to the Turkish side, it will stretch their unbeaten home run in European competition to 28 matches - 23 of which would have been played in the UEFA Cup. Only English side Ipswich Town FC, who have never tasted a home defeat in 31 European games (including 26 in the UEFA Cup), can boast a better record in front of their own supporters.
The achievement of the club is made even more impressive by the fact that they did not play in European competition for a period of over 20 years and have kept the run going after moving into a new stadium. Between 14 September 1977 and the end of the 1981/82 season, famous sides like FC Barcelona, FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC were unable to beat the Alkmaar side in the Alkmaarder Hout stadium. Ipswich themselves were victims as AZ almost turned round a 3-0 first-leg deficit in the 1980/81 UEFA Cup final - the English side eventually triumphing 5-4 on aggregate.
Van Gaal: "Fenerbahce Will Be Afraid of Arveladze"
Van Gaal went on to say "I realise that it is possible that we can lose," said Van Gaal. "They have Kežman back and a number of other players. Fenerbahçe have players who can decide a match on their own. They did that last week, as they converted our 1-3 lead in a 3-3 draw."
Large Contingent of Fenerbahce Fans Expected in Holland
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Is The Turkcell Super Lig Underrated?
Fenerbahce vs. AZ Alkmaar UEFA Cup Match Notes
Louis van Gaal can complete a full set of wins against Istanbul's big three clubs as his AZ Alkmaar side go into the home leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie against Fenerbahçe SK with the scores level at 3-3.
• Demy de Zeeuw opened the scoring for the visitors early in the first leg but Tümer Metin put Fenerbahçe back on level terms by the interval. Goals from Nourdin Boukhari and Julian Jenner put AZ 3-1 up but Tuncay Şanlı and Tümer Metin scored to restore parity. • AZ have yet to lose a home game in European competition. They have now played 27 home games in UEFA competition without a single defeat.
• Fenerbahçe qualified for the Round of 32 as the third-placed side in UEFA Cup Group H. AZ finished top of Group C.
• Prior to the first leg, the two sides had never met in European competition.
• Fenerbahçe had previously played against Dutch opposition ten times in the course of four two-legged European Champion Clubs' Cup ties and two UEFA Champions League group stage games. They had won two of those games and lost eight. They have lost all four of their previous knockout ties against Eredivisie sides.
• AZ's only previous experience of Turkish opposition came from earlier in this season's UEFA Cup campaign as they beat Kayserispor over two legs to reach the group stage. They won 3-2 in the Netherlands and drew 1-1 in Turkiye.
• Prior to that victory, Van Gaal had led sides to two previous aggregate victories against Turkish clubs. His AFC Ajax team won 6-1 against Beşiktaş JK in a 1993/94 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup tie while his FC Barcelona side twice beat Galatasaray SK in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League group stage.
• AZ's Georgian striker Shota Arveladze may have some useful knowledge of Turkish football having made his first move abroad in 1993/94 to spend three-and-a-half seasons with Fenerbahçe's Super League rivals Trabzonspor.
• The first-leg lineups were:AZ: Waterman, Jaliens, Luirink, De Cler, Steinsson, Martens (Vormer 89), Molhoek (Jenner 32), De Zeeuw, Boukhari, Dembélé (Lens 90), Koevermans.Fenerbahçe: Volkan, Ümit, Deniz, Edu, Appiah, Mehmet, Ugur (Olcan 66), Tümer, Alex, Tuncay, Deivid.
• The aggregate winners will face SV Zulte Waregem or Newcastle United FC in the Round of 16, playing away on 8 March before staging the return a week later.
AZ Manager Louis Van Gaal Expects Close Match
ALKMAAR- Both Shota Arveladze and Rogier Molhoek return to the AZ squad for Thursday's UEFA Cup round of 32 second-leg tie at home to Fenerbahçe. Arveladze has recovered from flu, while Molhoek has been deemed fit enough for action. “Fenerbahçe will be stronger than they were last week, but the same goes for AZ. And Fenerbahçe know that we will include Arveladze, our best player, in the starting line-up.”
Van Gaal admitted he was upbeat about Arveladze’s return to full fitness. He told reporters at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of Thursday’s clash with the Turks in the DSB Stadium: “I think Fenerbahçe will be wary of Arveladze, who enjoys a great reputation in Turkiye.”
The pens were scribbling notes furiously, while the interpreter was translating Van Gaal’s statements and the Turkish journalists also zealously jotted down that Van Gaal expects Fenerbahçe to put in a more convincing display than they did last week. “We will meet a different team; Mateja Kezman will make a return to the starting line-up and they will field some new players, but so will we. There is not much difference in strength between the two sides, but Arveladze could be the missing link.”
Van Gaal also briefly refereed to the goals scored by AZ last week. Nourdin Boukhari and Julian Jenner found the net, but unlike some football pundits in Turkey, the AZ coach did not blame the goalkeeper. “Jenner’s effort was like a Bergkamp shot.”
Van Gaal obviously also looked ahead at tomorrow night’s game. “The contest is far from over. When we kick off, the score is 3-3 and Fenerbahçe have some quality players that can turn a game upside down. Just look at what happened last week: they were two goals down, but managed to make amends soon.”
Van Gaal would like to see AZ kill off the game in PSV like fashion. “I was impressed by the way they held on against Arsenal, but having said that I must admit I only saw the last ten minutes of the game. We were having dinner in a restaurant!”
AZ Alkmaar Back Mendes da Silva To Miss Fenerbahce Game
AZ Alkmaar's defensive back David Mendes da Silva will miss tomorrow's game with Fenerbahce, following a knee injury suffered in Dutch league play over the weekend. Mendes da Silva was suspended for the opening leg last week in Istanbul, but AZ was hopeful about having him back for the second leg in Holland.
Mendes da Silva tore knee ligaments in Sunday's 1-1 draw between AZ Alkmaar and FC Groningen in Dutch league play.
Fenerbahce Arrives in Holland
Zico Hopeful for UEFA Cup Second Leg on Thursday
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Watch All Six Goals From Fenerbahce vs. AZ Alkmaar
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17qe5_fenerbahce-3-az-alkmaar-3
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Crazy Game in Kadikoy Produces 3-3 Draw
Fenerbahce, AZ Alkmaar Underway
AZ Alkmaar's starting eleven is Boy Waterman, Gijs Luirink, Gretar Steinsson, Kew Jaliens, Tim de Cler, Demy de Zeuw, Maarten Martens, Nourdin Boukhari, Rogier Molhoek, Danny Koevermans, and Moussa Dembele.
Turkiye Moves Up One Spot in Latest FIFA Rankings
Italy took over the top spot, moving up from #2 in the previous ranking. Brasil dropped one spot to #2. Argentina, France, Germany, England, Netherlands, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Spain round out the top ten. Ghana, led by Fenerbahce midfielder Stephen Appiah, jumped six spots up to #22. Some of the biggest moves include Nigeria dropping 27 spots (36), Egypt dropping 23 (42), and Guinea dropping 40 (62). On the opposite end of the spectrum, El Salvador jumped 31 spots up to #125 following the appointment of new Mexican coach Carlos de los Cobos and their January friendly 1-0 win over Denmark.
Aurelio To Miss Today's Game vs. AZ Alkmaar
The list of unavailable Fenerbahce players keeps growing, as the club announced that Mehmet Aurelio will likely miss Wednesday's UEFA Cup match vs. AZ Alkmaar. Zico didn't rule out using Aurelio completely, and added that he would take a last-minute fitness test prior to the game to see if he could go. However, Zico indicated that every player must be at 100% for today's game, which he didn't expect Aurelio to be prior to the game.
Quotes from Zico Regarding Wednesday's Game
Zico claims "there is no favorite" between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahçe, ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Cup Round of 32 first leg tie. "We will be reunited with our fans after a long time and this will be an extra boost to us," said Zico.
In today’s pre-match press conference, Zico said his Fenerbahçe side is "capable of beating anyone," but noted that AZ "come from a different football tradition" and that they "have high motivation and like big ocassions."
Zico continued: "The result of the Çaykur Rizespor game has nothing to do with a game to be played in the UEFA Cup. They are two different competitions and do not affect each other. We must look ahead. If you look behind while you walk, you have a high chance of tripping up."
Courtesy of www.fenerbahce.org
Short-Handed AZ Alkmaar Confident For Today's Game
AZ Alkmaar Manager Louis Van Gaal knows that his team won't be at full strength today, but he is confident in his side's chances regardless. The Holland squad will be comprised of only 16 available footballers on Wednesday, but they know Fenerbahce will be equally short-handed. and expressed that he believes they can get a positive result from this leg. "It would have been nice to have more choices, but in the end only 11 players can start.
"Luirink will play with Kew Jaliens in our defense. That is why they played together a couple of times together in our second team. I am confident that they will perform against the strong forwards of Fenerbahçe."
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Fenerbahce vs. AZ Alkmaar Game Notes
Louis van Gaal can complete a full set of wins against Istanbul's big three clubs as his AZ Alkmaar side take on Fenerbahçe SK in the UEFA Cup Round of 32.
• Fenerbahçe qualified for the Round of 32 as the third-placed side in UEFA Cup Group H. AZ finished top of Group C.
• The two sides have never met in European competition.
• Fenerbahçe have played against Dutch opposition ten times in the course of four two-legged European Champion Clubs' Cup ties and two UEFA Champions League group stage games. They have won two of those games and lost eight. They lost all four of their knockout ties against Eredivisie sides.
• AZ's only previous experience of Turkish opposition comes from earlier in this season's UEFA Cup campaign as they beat Kayserispor over two legs to reach the group stage. They won 3-2 in the Netherlands and drew 1-1 in Turkiye.
• Prior to that victory, AZ coach Louis Van Gaal had led sides to two previous aggregate victories against Turkish clubs. His AFC Ajax team won 6-1 against Beşiktaş JK in a 1993/94 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup tie while his FC Barcelona side twice beat Galatasaray SK in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League group stage.
• AZ's Georgian striker Shota Arveladze may have some useful knowledge of Turkish football having made his first move abroad in 1993/94 to spend three-and-a-half seasons with Fenerbahçe's Super League rivals Trabzonspor.
• The second leg will be played on 22 February. The aggregate winners will face SV Zulte Waregem or Newcastle United FC in the Round of 16, playing away on 8 March before staging the return a week later.
Fener vs. AZ Alkmaar Matches Two Short-Handed Sides
Wednesday's UEFA Cup match between Fenerbahce and Holland's AZ Alkmaar will feature two short-handed teams scrambling for a win. Monday, it was announced that Alkmaar will be without the services of captain Shota Arveladze and goalkeeper Khalid Sinouh for the game. Arveladze is sidelined by the flu and Sinouh is suffering from a reinjured calf muscle from last Saturday's win. Both are significant losses for AZ Alkmaar, as Arveladze has scored five UEFA Cup goals so far this year, along with eleven goals in Eredivisie league play. In addition, Alkmaar will be without Joey Didulica, Stijn Schaars, and Simon Cziommer who are also injured. Deived Mendes de Silva and Barry Opdam will also sit out with suspensions.
AZ Alkmaar will get no sympathy from Fenerbahce, who will be without many of their starters as well. Mateja Kezman and Semih Senturk are both suspended for Wednesday's clash, while Rustu Recber, Diego Lugano, and Onder Turaci are all injured.
Wednesday's match between Fenerbahce and AZ Alkmaar starts at 20:00 (1 PM EST in the U.S.).
Monday, February 12, 2007
Fenerbahce Drops 2-1 Heartbreaker in Rize
With the second half of the Turkcell Super Lig season well underway, Fenerbahce apparently is still on winter break. Fener dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to Caykur Rizespor in Rize on Saturday. The loss drops Fener to 1-1-1 since the second half of the season started, and continues their slump of poor play.
The game was expected to be an easy win for Fener. It was expected that not only would they accumulate three points, but hopefully even rest some of the starters ahead of this week's big UEFA Cup clash. Instead, Fener found themselves in a gigantic hole early in the game. For the third straight game, Fenerbahce gave up an early goal and this time, had it followed by a second Rize goal in the 20th minute putting Fener behind 2-0. A questionable penalty was called on Deniz Baris for a handball that appeared to be unintentional. The Yellow Canaries had to fight the entire game to climb out of the hole and made it a game with a goal from Semih Senturk in the 70th minute, but they could do no more.
The loss was compounded by wins over the weekend by second-place Galatasaray and third-place Besiktas. GS now moves within four points of Fenerbahce, and Besiktas sits only five points back.
The loss had a familiar feel to it with Rizespor manager Riza Calimbay on the sidelines. Calimbay was the manager at Besiktas when they pulled off the improbable 4-3 victory over Fener in April 2005 despite playing with ten men and a midfielder playing in goal.
The win puts Caykur Rizespor at the 12th spot in the league with 24 points. They are eight points ahead of last place (tied) Erciyesspor and Sakaryaspor. They are tied in points with Gaziantepspor and Trabzonspor.
Rizespor manager Calimbay was obviously excited about the victory, as his team tries to stay out of the relegation zone. “Our need for points is greater than Fenerbahçe's; we simply had to win as we are close to the bottom" he said after the game.
Fener must quickly forget about this devastating loss and prepare for Wednesday's crucial UEFA cup game vs. AZ Alkmaar from Holland. Fenerbahce's next Super Lig game comes this weekend in Kadikoy vs. last-place Sakaryaspor.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Fenerbahce Arrives in Rize
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Fenerbahce vs. Caykur Rizespor
The program for week 20 of the Turkcell Super Lig season has been determined. Fenerbahce will travel to Rize to play the Teamen of Caykur Rizespor on Saturday at 16:00 (9 AM EST in the U.S.). Third place Besiktas, currently eight points behind Fener, also plays Saturday at home against Denizlispor at 19:00 (12 Noon EST). Second-place Galatasaray is at home on Sunday vs. Vestel Manisaspor at 19:00 (12 Noon EST). Galatasaray remains seven points behind Fenerbahce currently.
Turkiye Drops 1-0 Friendly to Georgia
Turkiye had opportunities to find an equalizer, but were unable to put the ball past the magnificent Georgian GK, Georgi Lomaia. Turkish substitute Gokdeniz Karadeniz had a fantastic opportunity six minutes into the second half after he picked off a pass to take the ball in with only he and Lomaia near the goal. Lomaia, however, was able to prevent Karadeniz from scoring.
Fenerbahce was represented by Volkan Demirel, Tumer Metin, Tuncay Sanli, Mehmet Aurelio, and Can Arat, who was wearing the national shirt for the first time. Arat did not play, however. Metin came into the game in the 63rd minute replacing Arda Turan. Tuncay Sanli left the game right after the halftime break and was replaced by Fatih Tekke.
Turkiye now turns their attention to a Euro 2008 qualifier on March 24th against arch-rival neighbor Greece in Greece. That game will be followed four days later by a match against Norway.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Fener Wins in Izmir 2-1
Fenerbahce went on the road to Izmir today and defeated Genclerbirligi 2-1. It was the second 2-1 victory over the Ankara squad in three days. Fener got on the board early in this one, with a goal from Tuncay Sanli in the 10th minute to put them up 1-0. Genclerbirligi answered quickly though, with a shot from Mehmet Nas evening the game 12 minutes later. The score would remain tied through the half, and early in the second half, Mehmet Aurelio found the back of the net (57th minute) to put Fener up for good, 2-1.
Mateja Kezman picked up a red card in the 74th minute, leaving Fenerbahce to play the final twenty or so minutes with only ten men. Fener, desperately needing three points to stay on top in the Turkcell Super Lig, hung on for their second defeat of Genclerbirligi this week.
Fener hits the road next weekend and travels to Rize, where they'll take on the Teamen of Caykur Rizespor. Until then, the team will be watching other Turkcell games closely this weekend to see if they can create more space between them and their rivals. Second place Galatasaray takes on Kayserispor at 7 PM (12 Noon EST U.S) on Sunday, and third place Besiktas plays Gaziantepspor at 4 PM (9 AM EST US) on Sunday as well.
Fener, Genclerbirligi Underway
Fenerbahce and Genclerbirligi are underway at Ataturk Stadium in Izmir. Fenerbahce's starting eleven are:
Volkan Demirel
Can Arat
Deniz Baris
Edu Dracena
Alex de Souza
Mehmet Aurelio
Serkan Balci
Stephen Appiah
Ugur Boral
Mateja Kezman
Tuncay Sanli
Genclerbirligi's starting eleven will be:
Gokhan Tokgoz
Ayhan Tuna Uzumcu
Eren Aydin
Erhan Guven
Lamine Traore
Engin Baytar
Kerem Seras
Mehmet Nas
Sandro de Silva Medonca
Isaac Promise
Mehmet Cakir
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Fenerbahce Arrives in Izmir
Fenerbahce arrived in Izmir on Thursday, one day ahead of their Turkcell Super Lig game vs. Genclerbirligi. The game will be played at Izmir Ataturk Stadium on Friday, February 2nd. Kickoff is 20:00 local time (1 PM EST in the US).
Fener is looking to pick up three points in the standings and hopefully distance themselves from rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas, who are moving closer to the Yellow Canaries. Fener defeated Genclerbirligi in a Fortis Turkish Cup game on Tuesday by a score of 2-1, with the winning goal coming in the final moments from Semih Senturk.