Baris Gerçeker


The first half of the Super Lig season in Turkey came to an end as December drew to a close. Although a glance at the league table doesn’t reveal any shocks – the Istanbul giants are first and second – but not all of the season so far has been that predictable.

Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray were joint favourites at the beginning of the season, and they started like it. Fenerbahçe won all eight of the first eight games and collected 24 points while Galatasaray picked up 19 points in the same period.

Indeed, Fenerbahçe’s first loss only came in the ninth week, to Gaziantepspor. They bounced straight back, winning the derby against Galatasaray, but then went on a dismal run, not winning for the next five games. Two games won before the break ensured they went into 2010 on top though.

Galatasaray’s winning start to the season ended in the seventh week with a draw against Eskisehirspor, which they followed up with a heavy loss to Ankaragucu. Despite beating title rivals Trabzonspor soon afterwards, the Istanbul derby defeat to Fenerbahçe was a big setback and over the course of the next seven games they picked up just four more points. Fenerbahçe’s poor form then was crucial in ensuring that Frank Rijkaard’s side are not far off the pace.

The Super Lig’s surprise package thus far has been Kayserispor. The club from Anatolia managed to hit top spot and hold onto it for two weeks. Their 10 wins so far have made up the best first half to a season in their history. Standing out for the 2008 cup winners was Ariza Makukla, a Portuguese striker signed on loan from Benfica. Makukula’s 13 goals in 17 games was impressive and will no doubt have attracted the attention of a host of big clubs.

Bursaspor, in third, have also acquitted themselves well. With 11 victories from their 17 games, and just four defeats, they have become an opponent to fear for any team in the Super Lig. Their finishing position last season (sixth) was a subtle clue of what they might be able to achieve this season.

Last season’s double winners Beşiktaş have been perhaps the biggest disappointment so far. For some time they lingered around the relegation zone, due in part to a lack of goals. Then a series of wins helped them to climb the table and relieve the pressure. They go into 2010 just five points behind the leaders.

The last team from outside Istanbul to win the Super Lig, Trabzonspor, started the season with high expectations. Led into the campaign by Belgian boss Hugo Broos, they did not start well. Finally the pressure forced Broos out and former coach Senol Günes was back for his fourth spell in charge. High expectations and a willingness to change their coach is seriously hindering the Black Coast club, and the odds are against any manager lasting a full season. Perhaps for Günes it will be different given his relationship with the team and its supporters.

A quick glance at the table reveals that all clubs have “played” 18 games. But due to Ankaraspor this is not the case. Fellow capital club Ankaragucu’s administrative changes raised suspicion over the integrity of both clubs in addition to their close relationship. The FA soon ruled Ankaraspor should be excluded from the season’s games and relegated. Their players were given the right to move outside of the transfer window and all their games were awarded to their opponents by a 3-0 scoreline. Proper on the pitch goals already scored against them were ruled to only count in the race to become league top scorer.

Ankaragucu, the other party in the conflict, brought in former England striker Darius Vassell as their most prestigious transfer ever, in their centenary year. Things aren’t turning out quite as they planned through and the side from the capital sit just outside the drop zone. Rumours are rife that Newcastle United midfielder Geremi is signed on to join after the African Cup of Nations, and the club also signed Frenchman Roger Lemerre to coach them for the second half of the season, another coup. All eyes will be on them once again.

Another team from the capital, Gençlerbirligi, are also coached by a well known name, Thomas Doll. Sitting just behind Bursaspor they have done well so far and are said to be content with their performance. Certainly they will be pushing hard to secure a Europa League spot as the season progresses.

Points-wise Eskisehirspor, Istanbul BB and even Antalyaspor and Gaziantepspor are candidates to rise up the table, but on the ability front there is doubt over whether they can. Kasimpasaspor and Diyarbakirspor who were relegation candidates in pre-season, sit in safety, just. While Manisaspor are also capable of being dragged into the dogfight.

In the relegation zone sit Sivasspor and Denizlispor. The presence of Sivasspor could be classed as the biggest surprise of the season, especially since they mounted real title charges for the previous two seasons. Their messy transfer policy caused a loss of squad harmony and the eventual resignation of talented coach Bulent Uygun, with Muhsin Ertugral taking charge. He faces a challenge to climb the table.

The past three to four seasons has seen the eventual league winners do so with a low points total. This season looks to be no different, indeed if the natural favourites from Istanbul continue to drop points, the total needed could be even lower. Perhaps an underdog can take advantage. Such a surprise would cause a revolution in Turkish football, but does seem unlikely. Smaller clubs usually fail to handle the pressure of a title chase, whilst bad refereeing often results in the favourites gaining ground. Turkey could do with a shock, if only because the regular Istanbul canter to the title does nothing for the league’s reputation.

 

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