Week 2 - Analysis by Serbülent Şengün
 "Who hid those damn ball?" - from İzmir derby
The second week of the league looked like the week of the home teams, where 7 of the teams playing home got the 3 points. Only one visitor, Galatasaray, was able to grab all three points in a week where the only draw came from a game that was played in Adana instead of Malatya due to Malatyaspor’s ban, where Malatyaspor and Gaziantepspor tied. All three new comers to the Turkish Super League got their first three points this week.
Home sides scored a total of 18 goals and conceded 9. This week’s football quality was better than last week, giving all fans the hope that a very competitive league is on the way.
Games :
Denizli - Galatasaray : The opener of the week was two different games in two different halves. Denizlispor dominated the game in the first half, but the home side could not manage to score. In the second half however, with Arif coming in as a replacement, Galatasaray showed some skill at the offence. Goals came rather late from both sides, and Galatasaray got three points with three goals, and Denizlispor got a late consolation. (1-3)
Elazığspor – Trabzonspor : Newcomers Elazığspor on their first home game managed to overcome Trabzonspor with two goals in the opening 25 minutes. It looked like Trabzonspor players did not take their opponents seriously and by the time they did, it was too late. (2-0)
Samsunspor - Bursaspor : An early goal put the home side ahead. The visitors kept pushing for the equalizer, had plenty of chances but could not get it. Samsunspor also had a few chances to seal things off with counter attacks, but they weren’t lucky either. (1-0)
Gençlerbirliği – İstanbulspor: The game between the two teams of the new generation of Turkish coaches was another “two games in two different halves” match. In the first half İstanbulspor did everything they intended to, and went to the locker room with one goal ahead. However things totally changed in the second half, beautiful football by Gençlerbirliği accompanied by 4 goals in 22 minutes, gave the Ankara team a lot to rejoice about. (4-1)
Beşiktaş – Kocaelispor : Definitely the most interesting game of the week. Kocaelispor scored the opener in the second half. Beşiktaş kept on pushing forward, doing everything they can, to break the resistance of a very good Kocaelispor. However the equalizer came with three minutes to the final whistle, then the second goal came, with five minutes into the stoppage time. A very controversial goal, a very controversial game. (2-1)
Malatyaspor – Gaziantepspor: The only draw of the week, the game was played in Adana due to Malatyaspor’s ban. Malatyaspor had the opener within the first 20 minutes. Gaziantepspor equalized in the second half. Both teams had their chances and a draw seemed like the most just result after all. (1-1)
Adanaspor – Diyarbakırspor: In the first home game of the newcomers Adanaspor, the team managed to grab three points although they were one man down for about 35 minutes. An open game all throughout the 90 minutes, the score setting goal came late in the second half. A good sign about the physical capacity of the Adana side. Diyarbakırspor on the other hand, “a little unlucky” perhaps, but “lack of concentration” sounds more like it. (2-1)
Fenerbahce – Ankaragücü: The most defining word for the match. Well, it has to be Ariel Ortega. The Argentinean superstar definitely gave the fans something to cheer about. There was good football on the field in the first half, the second was rather lame considering the first. Ankaragücü’s goalie Zafer, pretty much proved why he was the substitute of the national team with his good saves. It is still early to speak, but it looks like fans are going to miss the Ankaragücü of the last season. (1-0)
Altay – Göztepe: Definitely the best game of the week. The İzmir derby gave the fans 6 goals, a missed penalty and lots of action from both sides of the field. Both teams are facing financial turbulences, both have relatively young teams and lack a lot of things. But it would be correct to say that if there is one thing they do not lack, it is dignity. (4-2)
Goals of the week :
1. Okan (Gençlerbirliği)
The final goal of his team, the youngster from Ankara made it known that he can shoot as good as he can cross. A spectacular right foot strike from 25 meters.
2. Çağdaş (Altay)
Another youngster, another long-range strike. This one however a goal of set pieces, the distance.... about 25 metres.
3. Arif (Galatasaray)
The second goal Arif scored was a very smart, intelligent goal to secure a victory for his team. Shot first time over the goalkeeper, Arif showed the importance of experience, and definitely deserves respect.
Team of the week :  Adanaspor
Well just like last week, this week again the team of the week had to be the team who fought their way to victory although being one man down. Adanaspor looks like they are going to be very tough on home ground throughout the season.
Player of the week : Ariel Ortega (Fenerbahçe)
It was one of those days when a professional player made it look like we were watching a game in our schoolyard. Artistic yet so natural, Ortega made it all look so easy. The things he did maybe did not effect the scoreboard however the things he did are a part of the reasons why we all call it “the beautiful game”.
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2002-2003 1.Süper Lig