News report from Rich’s Sport………
By Graham Brown and Richard Beale…….
Last Home Match, End Of An Era.
The result really didn’t matter as the match gave an opportunity to Esentepe football fans to say farewell to two of their “legends” who retired from football after this game. In an emotional day Esentepe Captain Berkan Arslan 35, and fellow defender Barış Capo 41, said goodbye to Esentepe Football Club who they have served with honour and distinction for many a season.
Just for the record Baf Ülkü Yurdu were deserved and worthy winners of this match, where I think the occasion got the better of the Esentepe team.
Result : ESENTEPE KKSK 1 BAF ÜLKÜ YURDU 3.
Sunday April 24th 2016 : K-Pet League 1 : Played at Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium.
Weather : Dry/sunny.
Esentepe colours : Red/white checked shirts/ black shorts and socks.
BUY colours : Green/red stripe shirts, white short/socks.
Veterans Berkan and Barış took their places amongst a very youthful Esentepe team, as the Coach quite rightly gave “youth a fling” giving League debut to 16 year Goalkeeper Kurşat Çil and 18 year old Asil Arif Engin. Tuğrulsan Gunay 17, at centre half was giving his second match in the first team, which also included 17 year old Emre Soytürk, 18 year old Mehmet Aşikzadeler and “veteran “ Mahmut still only 20 and with 3 seasons of football experience now behind him. The door may have now closed on the two “old stagers”, but Esentepe Football future is bright with the youngsters gaining valuable experience.
Another first today, was “old hand” player Emek Kırılmaz, (who was suspended for this match anyway), took control of first team affairs, with Coach Gokan Kim taking a back seat to give Emek, who will be a future Esentepe Coach one day, a flavour of Coaching the first team.
BUY who had something to play for, needed a win to clinch a “play off” place completely dominated the match from start to finish.
Kurşat in the Esentepe goal was in action straight away, making a couple of saves noticeably from a free kick from Ismail.
It came as no surprise when BUY took the lead in the 12th minute, with the Esentepe defence wide open Darbaz unmarked shot with the outside of his foot, the ball creeping in past the diving Kurşat at the far post.0-1
18 minutes BUY scored a second goal, again it was Darbaz, capitalising on hesitation between keeper Kurşat and Berkan, nipping it between them to lob the ball over the keeper’s head. 0-2.
Esentepe’s only reply was a 30 yard shot from İlyas that was easily saved by BUY keeper Erdogan. Half Time score 0-2.
Barış decided just after half-time to bring the curtain down on his long and illustrious career, when he was carried off shoulder high by two team mates, to applause by the fans, both teams and Coaches. He was replaced by Burak.
BUY were still running riot as Esentepe had no answer to their lightning breaks, with Darbaz a constant danger, it was only poor finishing that prevented the score being doubled.
EMRAH gave Esentepe brief hope in the 68th minute fastening onto a through ball to finish calmly as Erdoğan advanced. 1-2.
The giant BUY defender Ismail was a constant threat at set pieces, sending a header just wide in the 78th minute.
Another quick break in the 80th minute killed off Esentepe’s brief revival when Darbaz turned provider squaring the ball across goal to the unmarked Kaya to shoot past Kursat.. 1-3.
Kurşat fingertips prevented Darbaz completing his hat trick, as the striker was clean through, the keeper with briefest of touch, deflected the ball onto a post .
With the game in injury time, Captain Berkan called time on his football career, again being carried off by his team mates and being warmly applauded, an end of an era. FULL TIME score :1-3.
SUMMING UP : Goodbye Captain, Goodbye Capo, adieu and farewell my friends and thank you for the memories that you have provided for me and Esentepe football.
ESENTEPE TEAM : (4-4-2, , marks out of 10)
Kurşat (gk) : BARIŞ 10, BERKAN 10, Tuğrulsan, Asil Arif : Mehmet, İlyas, Mahmut, Emre Soytürk : Eser, Emrah:
Subs: Burak for Barış 47 minutes : Umar for Emre Soytürk 60 mins : Eşref for Burak 75 mins :
Esentepe replacements not used : Tuğrul (gk), Serkan (gk), Hürkan Görneçli, Abdullah Şengün.
ESENTEPE MEN OF THE MATCH : BERKAN and BARIŞ – both have probably played around 300 matches each, so no contest..
Result : ESENTEPE KKSK young team 2 BAF ÜLKÜ YURDU young team 5.
A very very young and inexperience team found it hard going against 2nd placed BUY.
Esentepe scorers : Hürkan Görneçlı and Ege Can Açikportakali.
ESENTEPE NEXT MATCH :
Latest News of match day change!
FRIDAY 29th April away kick-off 4 pm at Gazimağsusa Dr Fazil Kucuk Stadi.
DUMLUPINAR TSK v ESENTEPE KKSK.
Esentepe’s last match of the season away to the Champions
To read more from Esentepe Community and see the latest match video, please click here
