Trabzonspor misses chance to extend its lead

In a week that saw two title contenders from Istanbul held to goalless draws in the capital, Trabzonspor failed to deliver at home, missing the chance to extend its lead in the Turkcell Super League.

The Black Sea side drew 0-0 with visiting Sivasspor yesterday, thanks to a good performance from Sivasspor goalkeeper Michael Petkovic.

The players fought not only against their opponents, but also against the heavy rain. Trabzonspor coach Ersun Yanal said his team was the closer side to victory.

"We had our chances, and should have scored at least in one of them," Yanal told reporters after the game. "The conditions were tough. I congratulate my players for their efforts."

Also yesterday, Denizlispor scored in the 79th and 84th minutes to comeback for a 4-3 victory at home over Bursaspor. It was Denizlispor coach Ümit Kayıhan’s first home game at the helm in Denizli following a 12-year break.

’Happy to be back’
"It was exciting to be back in front of Denizlispor supporters again," he said. "And I’m happy that we won. We were lucky today, we must be much better to win on the days luck is not on our side."

In yesterday’s other games, Hacettepe lost 1-0 at Istanbul Municipality and Konyaspor held Kayserispor to a goalless draw at home.

The Beşiktaş Ğ Eskişehirspor game was still in progress as the Hürriyet Daily News went to press.

Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray were both held to goalless draws in Ankara on Saturday, by Ankaragücü and Ankaraspor, respectively.

While Fenerbahçe coach, Luis Aragones, blamed the defensive play of both teams, the culprit that Galatasaray coach, Michael Skibbe, came up with was far more interesting.

"We were beaten by the wind," the German coach told reporters at a post game press conference. "The wind was very strong in the second half, destroying our chance of success. But I believe we will be on top of the standings when the season ends."

Galatasaray striker Ümit Karan also blamed the wind. "I have been playing for 12 years and that was the strongest wind I have ever seen," he said.

Also Saturday, Gençlebirliği lost 2-0 at Gaziantepspor, slipping further in the standings to the relegation zone. The Ankara side has not won in six weeks, losing four and drawing twice.

Coach Samet Aybaba said players must be more ambitious. "Gençlerbirliği is one of the most important clubs in Turkey and we are sorry about the current situation. What we need is one victory, the rest will follow."

In the week’s other game played Saturday, two relegation battlers, Antalyaspor and Kocaelispor, shared the spoils with a goalless draw in Antalya.