Turkcell Super League – Week 23 recap

With the disappointment of both Turkish teams getting knocked out in the Europa League, it was back to business as usual.  Week 23 of the Turkcell Super League season was another one of those weeks where things seemed to be business as usual.  Some teams would be disappointed, some teams would feel elated.  The drive for the title would produce excitement this week.

Turkcell Super League – Week 22 recap

Week 22 of the Turkcell Super League can also be considered a pivotal point in the season.  An important Istanbul derby was going to determine bragging rights, but perhaps if the leaders would be in the driver’s seat to the title.  An important top of the table clash was in the cards as two teams battle for position to qualify for European competition.  The derby had all of the headlines this week, as it usually does.  The action started on Saturday.

Guus Hiddink to become the coach of the Turkish National Team.

It has been confirmed, through various sources, that the Turkish Football Federation has agreed in principle to hire Guus Hiddink as the head coach of the Turkish national team.  Hiddink, who is still under contract with the Russian Football Federation until June, will sign a contract that will have him begin his duties as head coach on August 1, 2010.  He succeeds Fatih Terim, who resigned the post in October after the loss in the World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign to Belgium.  After meeting with Turkish Football Federation president Mahmut Özgener and TFF vice-president Lutfi Arıboğan in Amsterdam, a contract was agreed upon with the 63-year old.  The contract is said to be a four year contract, guaranteeing that Hiddink will be the coach through at least the Euro 2012 tournament, with optional two more years.  Hiddink’s assistants are to be former Fenerbahçe great Oğuz Çetin and former Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Engin İpekoğlu.

Turkcell Super League – week 21 review

Week 21 of the Turkcell Super League might be considered an important week in the big picture of who wins the league title.  Galatasaray had the bye week because they would have played the disqualified Ankaraspor, so they got the free three points.  There was the possibility that Galatasaray could take the lead in the standing without even having to take the field.  The pressure fell on Fenerbahçe in order to win at Manisaspor in order to keep their lead in the standings.  Kayserispor travelled to Denizli to face Denizlispor to sustain their Europa League spot.  Beşiktaş had a trip to the southeast to face Gaziantepspor.  Bursaspor played Trabzonspor in a matchup of two teams in the top six of the table.

Turkcell Super League – Week 20 review

Week 20 of the Turkcell Super League could be the week where the standings could be shaken up.   It featured a top of the table matchup that could vault one team to the top of the table, or the other team into serious contenders for the league championship.  Kayserispor hosted Galatasaray in the match of the week on Saturday.  Fenerbahçe looked to continue their lead in the standings as Diyarbakirspor came into town.  The week got started on Friday, as Beşiktaş looked to inch closer to a Europa League spot by facing Gençlerbirliği.

Turkcell Super League – Week 19 Sunday recap

Week 19 of the Turkcell Super League season came to a close on Sunday with the top four teams in action.  With the gap between first and second separated by only a point, both Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray were under pressure to keep their battle for the top going.  Bursaspor and Kayserispor looked to keep pace with the top two as they faced Eskişehirspor and Gaziantepspor respectively.  The other match on Sunday saw two teams locked in a battle to stay clear of the relegation zone as Ankaragücü and Manisaspor met.

The Future of This Site

Despite my hiring as the Public Relations and Communications Director for the North American Soccer League, this site will continue to operate. However, I will no longer be writing for the site. The continued good work of Ata Dizdar covering Turkish Football, as well as Dave Trotter covering French Football and Mitch Howard will continue. Additionally, we will be looking for new writers to cover a variety of subjects. Those interested, please email me at kkfla737@yahoo.com

Turkcell Super League – week 19 – Friday and Saturday matches.

The march to the Turkcell Super League championship continues onward this week.  A total of three games were featured on Friday and Saturday.  After their match last week was postponed, Beşiktaş got their second half of the season started with a trip down to Antalya to play Antalyaspor.  Trabzonspor looked to improve their chances in clinching a Europa League spot, as they headed down to Diyarbakir to face Diyarbakirspor.  Kasımpaşa is only three points above the relegation zone, while Istanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor is still in the middle of the table.  Those two teams would meet for local supremacy.

Turkcell Super League – Giovani dos Santos joins Galatasaray on loan.

It has now been reported by Fanatik and Sky Sports in England that Mexican international player Giovani dos Santos will now head to Galatasaray on a loan.  The player had been playing for Tottenham Hotspur.  Dos Santos played for Barcelona when current Galatasaray head coach Frank Rijkaard was at the helm there.  He had failed to establish himself at Spurs, and spent some time on loan at Ipswich Town the previous season.  With the move, dos Santos reunites with Rijkaard and will certainly see playing time in Istanbul.  The move can be made permanent during the summer transfer window.  With the move, Galatasaray will have to offload one of its foreign players.  Turkish football regulations stipulate that only eight foreign players can be registered with one club; and up to six foreigners can play on the pitch for a club.

With Harry Kewell now out for 2-3 months, and with Milan Baros thought to be out until mid-March, this seems like a good move for Galatasaray.  Rijkaard had given dos Santos his chance at first-team football when Rijkaard coached Barcelona.  Now it may be that this young player can be able to fulfill his potential under his old coach.  The Turkcell Super League tends to favor offensive football rather than defensive.  Dos Santos, who is a forward, should be able to find his rhythm here.  Who Galatasaray releases due to the foreign player rule will be the question.  Although perhaps with the quality of players now coming into Galatasaray, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Shabani Nonda go.  Considering he had missed a few good opportunities in the Gaziantepspor match, including a penalty kick, Nonda’s days could be numbered.  Galatasaray had to let Tobias Linderoth go because of the new signings (Lucas Neill and Jo); then again, he had been considered a liability.  The main concern with dos Santos will be diving.  Mexican players have gained a reputation for diving on the pitch, especially with fans of the United States national soccer team.  The Turkish TV pundits might have a field day if he dives at times on the pitch, calling the legitimacy of the on-pitch action into question.  Even so, this is a good move for Galatasaray considering dos Santos’ age (20 years old) and potential to become a star.

Turkcell Super League – week 18 – Sunday action

The opening weekend of the second half of the season for the Turkcell Super League came to a close Sunday.  With Fenerbahçe consolidating their lead at the top, Galatasaray needed to win to keep pace with their cross-town Istanbul rivals.  Kayserispor looked to keep within striking distance of the top spot that they held for two weeks in the first half of the season.  Roger Lemerre made his debut as Ankaragücü head coach, along with former Turkish national team, Fenerbahçe, and Gençlerbirliği player Umit Ozat as his assistant.  Trabzonspor, although highly unlikely to break their championship drought this season, looked to at least get into contention for a Europa League spot as they took on Sivasspor.