A formality match in Ankara
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Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 01, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Galatasaray’s visit to Hacettepe is the first game of the weekend in the Turkcell Super League, as a sign that two teams’ battles are as good as over.
The Turkish Football Federation arranges the weekend fixtures considering that teams vying for similar targets play on the same time or same day, but so the fact that Hacettepe-Galatasaray is scheduled to play tonight is a sign that the association deems both teams’ jobs done.
A 1-1 draw against Ankaraspor last Sunday put Galatasaray eight points behind league leader Sivasspor, virtually ending the lions’ hopes of successfully defending the title. As the league’s top two teams, Sivasspor and Beşiktaş, are scheduled to play their games on Sunday in order to avoid speculations of fatigue, or match-fixing claims, Galatasaray’s Friday evening game is a clear message.
However, Lions’ board member Haldun Üstünel refused to concede that the race is over. "As long as life goes on, hope goes on," he said. "We will keep battling until it is over."
Similarly, Hacettepe’s situation is almost certain, as the Ankara side is battling against being relegated. Hacettepe is dwelling on the bottom position, 13 points adrift of the safe zone with five games to go. A loss against Galatasaray will send Hacettepe to the Bank Asya League One and since all the other eight teams in the relegation zone are playing their games at the afternoon slot on Sunday, it is apparent that the federation already decided that Hacettepe’s days are numbered.
A 1-1 draw against Ankaraspor last Sunday put Galatasaray eight points behind league leader Sivasspor, virtually ending the lions’ hopes of successfully defending the title. As the league’s top two teams, Sivasspor and Beşiktaş, are scheduled to play their games on Sunday in order to avoid speculations of fatigue, or match-fixing claims, Galatasaray’s Friday evening game is a clear message.
However, Lions’ board member Haldun Üstünel refused to concede that the race is over. "As long as life goes on, hope goes on," he said. "We will keep battling until it is over."
Similarly, Hacettepe’s situation is almost certain, as the Ankara side is battling against being relegated. Hacettepe is dwelling on the bottom position, 13 points adrift of the safe zone with five games to go. A loss against Galatasaray will send Hacettepe to the Bank Asya League One and since all the other eight teams in the relegation zone are playing their games at the afternoon slot on Sunday, it is apparent that the federation already decided that Hacettepe’s days are numbered.