Fener wins in Kayseri’s new stadium debut
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Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 10, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Though Sunday’s match was expected to be a difficult one, Fenerbahçe did not have much trouble beating Kayserispor in the Turkcell Super League game this weekend.
Kayserispor had hoped to win the first game played on its new field, the Kadir Has Stadium, but Fenerbahçe ruined the central Anatolian side’s big night with two goals.
Semih Şentürk tapped the ball in in the 11th minute after goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou failed to handle Roberto Carlos’ long-range shot. It was Şentürk’s sixth league goal this season and the first at the brand-new stadium. Brazilian star Alex De Souza scored the second goal of the night in the 28th minute, striking from about 30 meters.
Fenerbahçe happily defended its 2-0 lead, even when Yellow Canaries goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was sent off in the 54th minute for kicking an opponent. Kayserispor could not capitalize on this red card, and the game ended with a Fener victory.
High pressure
Home-team coach Tolunay Kafkas said the disappointing result was caused by the high-pressure atmosphere his Anatolian Stars faced in their new home. "We were motivated for a win," Kafkas said after the game. "But the atmosphere of the stadium had a negative effect on us."
Kafkas said that his side played the game well, but allowed two goals in the first half, adding "But I must say we were better in the second half."
After the game, Kafkas had a spat with Fenerbahçe's star player Roberto Carlos when he said that he wanted to touch the Brazilian player’s back, but was met with a "hands-off" warning.
"We are not splitting atoms here, everyone tries to earn their living on the football pitch," Tolunay Kafkas said. "Whether your name is Ahmet, Mehmet or Roberto Carlos, you should be humbler."
Fenerbahçe coach Luis Aragones was happy that his side continued its chase for a top spot. "Championships are won with the points in the last four weeks, but we need to continue like that until we get there," he said. "Every team in the top five has a chance at the title."
Semih Şentürk tapped the ball in in the 11th minute after goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou failed to handle Roberto Carlos’ long-range shot. It was Şentürk’s sixth league goal this season and the first at the brand-new stadium. Brazilian star Alex De Souza scored the second goal of the night in the 28th minute, striking from about 30 meters.
Fenerbahçe happily defended its 2-0 lead, even when Yellow Canaries goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was sent off in the 54th minute for kicking an opponent. Kayserispor could not capitalize on this red card, and the game ended with a Fener victory.
High pressure
Home-team coach Tolunay Kafkas said the disappointing result was caused by the high-pressure atmosphere his Anatolian Stars faced in their new home. "We were motivated for a win," Kafkas said after the game. "But the atmosphere of the stadium had a negative effect on us."
Kafkas said that his side played the game well, but allowed two goals in the first half, adding "But I must say we were better in the second half."
After the game, Kafkas had a spat with Fenerbahçe's star player Roberto Carlos when he said that he wanted to touch the Brazilian player’s back, but was met with a "hands-off" warning.
"We are not splitting atoms here, everyone tries to earn their living on the football pitch," Tolunay Kafkas said. "Whether your name is Ahmet, Mehmet or Roberto Carlos, you should be humbler."
Fenerbahçe coach Luis Aragones was happy that his side continued its chase for a top spot. "Championships are won with the points in the last four weeks, but we need to continue like that until we get there," he said. "Every team in the top five has a chance at the title."