Crazy Game in Kadikoy Produces 3-3 Draw

A wild scene in Kadikoy on Wednesday put the home team in a big hole, but behind the feet of Tumer Metin and Tuncay Sanli, Fenerbahce was able to regain hope of advancing. Fenerbahce and AZ Alkmaar drew even at 3-3 at Sukru Saracoglu Wednesday evening.

For the third straight game, Fenerbahce gave up an early goal and fell behind in the opening minutes. Alkmaar had a shot on goal one minute into the game that Volkan Demirel was able to save. However, fourteen minutes later, Demy de Zeuw's left foot put a shot past Demirel into the back of the net from the center penalty area. Once again Fenerbahce found themselves down 1-0. Despite the deficit, Fenerbahce controlled the ball for much of the first half. Finally at the 28th minute, Tumer Metin found the back of the net with his left foot just outside and to the right of the penalty area. The goal gave Fenerbahce renewed hope and optimism as the first half wound down. Ugur Boral had a great opportunity in the 43rd minute to put Fenerbahce ahead, but his shot was saved by AZ Alkmaar GK Boy Waterman. Two minutes later, Tumer Metin struck a solid shot on goal from the center penalty area, but Waterman was able to save it. Each team had five shots on goal in the first half and the game was tied 1-1.

The second half saw Fenerbahce control the ball to begin, but making crucial mistakes. Less than three minutes in, Deivid de Souza sent a rocket of a shot on goal but Waterman made the save. Ten minutes later he had another opportunity, but couldn't connect. At the 58th minute, Edu Dracena picked up the game's first yellow card for "unsporting behavior." Three minutes later, Nourdin Boukhari scored to put AZ Alkmaar back in front 2-1. Before Fener could catch their breath, his teammate Julian Jenner scored less than one minute later to increase Alkmaar's lead to 3-1. As the home fans at Sukru Saracoglu felt deflated, the Canaries wouldn't give up on their European dreams.

Less than four minutes later at the 66th minute, Tuncay found the back of the net to cut the deficit in half to 3-2. Two minutes later, Demy de Zeuw would pick up Alkmaar's first yellow card. In the 71st minute, Deivid de Souza would be carded for Fenerbahce, followed by another yellow card for Tuncay Sanli one minute later. Fener were not giving up and their intensity was resulting in flaring tempers in Kadikoy. Finally, at the 74:25 mark, Tumer Metin scored his second goal of the night to tie the game up at 3-3. Sukru Saracoglu had a renewed confidence as Zico's side had fought back to keep hope alive. Alex de Souza, Mehmet Yozgatli, and Deivid de Souza would all have opportunities to win the game for Fener, but none could connect properly. AZ Alkmaar had some late substitutions to try to let fresh legs win the game, but it would finish tied up at 3-3.

Fenerbahce had nine shots, eight of which were on target in the game. They finished with nine fouls and eleven fouls drawn. They picked up three yellow cards in the match. Volkan Demirel had three saves, and Fener acquired eight corner kicks. Zico substituted only once, sending in Olcan Adin for Ugur Boral in the 66th minute.

AZ Alkmaar took seven shots, six of which were on target. They picked up only one yellow card. Boy Waterman made eight saves for AZ, and the Dutch team had six corner kicks in the game.

Fenerbahce controlled the ball 74% of the time, compared to AZ Alkmaar's 26%.

The 3-3 draw gives AZ Alkmaar a decided advantage headed into the second leg next week. Fenerbahce's hopes are not dashed, however. Both teams were playing without crucial starters, but a Fenerbahce side with Mateja Kezman, Diego Lugano, and Mehmet Aurelio would be much improved over the team that competed today. Fenerbahce will need everyone healthy if they are to keep their European hopes alive in 2007. The second leg will be played in Holland on Thursday, February 22nd at 18:45 local time. More details to come...