Sivas starts crucial period
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Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 09, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - There is no room for error with only four weeks left in the Turkcell Super League, and Sivasspor does not want to lose its one-point advantage over second-place Beşiktaş. The Central Anatolian side wants to remain in the driving seat for the title, which it believes would be as much a big step for Turkish football as it would for the club. Sivas plays against Istanbul Municipality
Sivasspor takes on Istanbul Municipality this weekend, while Beşiktaş plays Ankaraspor as the title race in the Turkcell Super League heats up.
With four weeks to go, Sivasspor is still in the driving seat despite losing its last league game against Gaziantepspor last Sunday, with Beşiktaş trailing by just one point.
Beşiktaş blew a chance to take the league lead, or even draw level with Sivasspor, as it lost 2-1 to archrival Fenerbahçe last Sunday. Mustafa Denizli’s team will be now looking for another chance.
Yet the likelihood of that is not looking too strong, however, as Sivasspor is the country’s best home performer this season. In 15 games played at its Eylül Stadium, Sivas has not been beaten and won 12 times.
Earlier this month, Sivasspor coach Bülent Uygun claimed that three wins and one draw in the remaining five games would be enough for the title.
"I believe three wins and a draw will be enough for us," said Uygun. "I hope we go on without losing."
If Sivasspor manages to outlast Beşiktaş in the title race, it will be its first championship in its 42-year history. Arguably what is more important than that is that Sivasspor would end a 25-year streak of titles won only by Istanbul teams.
"May God let us win the title, and change for us the bad fortune of Anatolia," said Uygun. "Some believe that Sivasspor should not win the title, so that the league’s rating will not go down. But those people who say that are actually the ones causing Turkish football to lose its rating."
Uygun believes that Sivasspor gave a boost to the competition in the Turkcell Super League, regardless of if it wins the title or not.
"I say that we are already the champions, but I don’t know who will finish the league in first place. Now any team from Anatolia believes that it can be a contender. Any team can beat the other. So, in a time like that, I hope Sivasspor caps that atmosphere with the title, and writes a happy ending to it."
Sivas captain Mehmet Yıldız said that the trophy would go to the team that makes the fewest mistakes.
"We don’t want to make mistakes now," the forward said. "We want to make full use of our advantage, winning all our games for the title. The first step is the Istanbul Municipality game, and it is hugely important for us."
Just like the Sivasspor-Istanbul game, the Ankaraspor-Beşiktaş game will be played at 7 p.m. Saturday.
After the loss to Fenere, Beşiktaş’s title hopes suffered a serious setback, but coach Denizli believes that his team can turn things around.
"Maybe it was pressure caused by the weekend’s results," Denizli said about the possible reasons for the defeat. "But different results may be on the way. The season’s late periods can always defy presumptions."
Denizli added that his team was the only outfit that was still in contention for a double victory.
"You see there are two cups in Turkey, and four teams chasing them," he said. "Sivasspor is one, Fenerbahçe is one, and the remaining two are Beşiktaş, the only team that goes to finals in both cups."
When asked if the team could achieve the double, Denizli remained tight-lipped.
"I can tell you that in 25 days’ time," he said.
With four weeks to go, Sivasspor is still in the driving seat despite losing its last league game against Gaziantepspor last Sunday, with Beşiktaş trailing by just one point.
Beşiktaş blew a chance to take the league lead, or even draw level with Sivasspor, as it lost 2-1 to archrival Fenerbahçe last Sunday. Mustafa Denizli’s team will be now looking for another chance.
Yet the likelihood of that is not looking too strong, however, as Sivasspor is the country’s best home performer this season. In 15 games played at its Eylül Stadium, Sivas has not been beaten and won 12 times.
Earlier this month, Sivasspor coach Bülent Uygun claimed that three wins and one draw in the remaining five games would be enough for the title.
"I believe three wins and a draw will be enough for us," said Uygun. "I hope we go on without losing."
If Sivasspor manages to outlast Beşiktaş in the title race, it will be its first championship in its 42-year history. Arguably what is more important than that is that Sivasspor would end a 25-year streak of titles won only by Istanbul teams.
"May God let us win the title, and change for us the bad fortune of Anatolia," said Uygun. "Some believe that Sivasspor should not win the title, so that the league’s rating will not go down. But those people who say that are actually the ones causing Turkish football to lose its rating."
Uygun believes that Sivasspor gave a boost to the competition in the Turkcell Super League, regardless of if it wins the title or not.
"I say that we are already the champions, but I don’t know who will finish the league in first place. Now any team from Anatolia believes that it can be a contender. Any team can beat the other. So, in a time like that, I hope Sivasspor caps that atmosphere with the title, and writes a happy ending to it."
Sivas captain Mehmet Yıldız said that the trophy would go to the team that makes the fewest mistakes.
"We don’t want to make mistakes now," the forward said. "We want to make full use of our advantage, winning all our games for the title. The first step is the Istanbul Municipality game, and it is hugely important for us."
Just like the Sivasspor-Istanbul game, the Ankaraspor-Beşiktaş game will be played at 7 p.m. Saturday.
After the loss to Fenere, Beşiktaş’s title hopes suffered a serious setback, but coach Denizli believes that his team can turn things around.
"Maybe it was pressure caused by the weekend’s results," Denizli said about the possible reasons for the defeat. "But different results may be on the way. The season’s late periods can always defy presumptions."
Denizli added that his team was the only outfit that was still in contention for a double victory.
"You see there are two cups in Turkey, and four teams chasing them," he said. "Sivasspor is one, Fenerbahçe is one, and the remaining two are Beşiktaş, the only team that goes to finals in both cups."
When asked if the team could achieve the double, Denizli remained tight-lipped.
"I can tell you that in 25 days’ time," he said.