Preview : TATLISU HOSK v ESENTEPE KKSK
Sunday 12 February 2017 : k.o. 2-30pm : K-Pet League 1, Beyaz Group ; Venue : Beylerbeyi Dr Ali Özsoy Stadi.
By Richard Beale……….
This Sunday Esentepe travel to meet the Tatlısu team (not the one near Esentepe/Bahçeli), the one near Ozanköy/Girne. They will face a struggling Tatlısu team, who are 4th from bottom, fighting and scrapping to avoid the relegation play outs. Tatlısu were promoted from League 2 last season as Champions but have found the step up to a higher league hard going. They have won only 2 of their 12 matches drawing 5 and losing 5. Last weekend they were trounced 5-0 at Gönyeli and the Coaching staff will be looking for a response from that defeat. I think on their own patch they will be tricky and awkward opponents and I won’t be surprised that an upset could be on the cards. Earlier in the season Esentepe won 2-0 at home (Tacettin/Eser scoring) in a game of two halves. Esentepe played well in the first half deservedly being 2 goals up, but with nothing to lose in the second half Tatlısu played some attractive football and it was Esentepe who were relieved at the end to hear the final whistle.
Esentepe are suffering from an injury crisis and also not being helped by their poor disciplinary record. Another sending off last week will result in another suspension, this time Ilyas being the culprit who will sit out this game. There are serious doubts with Başak, Uğurcan and Firat all carrying knocks. All of this has unsettled the team who are very inconsistent, and with dropping of points against lesser teams has affected their promotion prospects. Also their disciplinary record is atrocious and in the Current Disciplinary League they lie very firmly rooted to the bottom. Returning from suspension Goalkeeper Ali should regain his first team spot from his able deputy Tuğrul. With all these injuries and suspensions the already small squad is very severely stretched.
TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
Season 2012-13: TATLISU HOSK 4 ESENTEPE KKSK 2.
A relegation battle, with Esentepe finishing with 9 men (sounds familiar) after having Hüseyin (35 mins) and Ali Okan (90 mins) dismissed. A very poor Esentepe performance with only goalkeeper Ali and midfielder Uğurcan emerging with any credit. İlyas Nıyazı an Esentepe player on a seasons loan was in the Tatlısu line up. Scorers Tatlısu : Akis (pen) 49, Ertan 68,69, Burak (pen) 78. Esentepe : Uğurcan 79, 83.
Tatlısu at the end of the season would be automatically relegated and Esentepe escape the same fate through the relegation ‘play outs’. Match played on the 21/4/2013.
ESENTEPE TEAM :
Ali (gk) : Hasan ( Emek 50), Oğuz, Berkan, Sergen, Burak : Hüseyin, Vurkan inj.(Barış30), Uğurcan : Ali Okan, Eser ( Halil 46).
CURRENT FORM (last 6 matches current 1st)
TATLISU HOSK LDLLWD : ESENTEPE : DDDWWL
Expert Predictions : 2 jags Brown : 2-1 Esentepe win : Pothole Pete : 2-1 Esentepe win. Burl Ives :1-1 draw. Pixie : 2-1 Esentepe win : Sabrerich : 1-1 another draw for the draw specialists.
DIRECTIONS TO GROUND
Ozanköy roundabout (Ozanköy football ground on left near the British University of Nicoşia) take 3rd exit carry on up the hill (Zafer Caddesi), past the speed camera. Dr Ali Özsoy Stadi is on the left, just before Bellapaıs Garden Hotel. Park opposite ground or in Hotel car park. Good refreshments and adequate toilet facilities available.
