Football United

We made a stalling start to the defence of our champions status after giving away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 away to Çaykur Rizespor. Pierre van Hooijdonk had scored twice in the first half but the story changed after the break.
Christoph Daum selected Murat Hacýoðlu upfront with van Hooijdonk, supported by Tuncay on the left and Mehmet Yozgatlý on the right. Serkan Balcý played at right back while Fabiano Lima displayed a good attacking performance at left back but was unlucky to give away a penalty in the second half.

Swift and confident passing was the character of our game in the first half and a flowing move ended with the ball hitting Beþer`s arm from Murat`s cross. Referee Kuddusi Müftüoðlu pointed to the spot and van Hooijdonk made no mistake, 1-0.

Our attacks continued with conviction and a second goal came from the Dutchman right before the break. Much like a free-kick, Pierre approached the ball at an angle outside box and curled it in to the far side of the goal around Zdravko Zdravkov.

Volkan Demirel was tested much more in the second 45 as Rizespor came out with more grit and determination. Okan`s header in the box onto Kürþat`s cross boosted the home side`s hopes in the 61st minute and with that high they were given a dubious penalty when Gürol went down in the box five minutes later. Serkan Özdemir equalised from the spot.

Tuncay had the best chance to equalise in the 80th minute when he controlled a delicate pass from van Hooijdonk five metres from goal but hit his half-volley way over the bar.

Servet`s powerful header in the 87th minute glanced wide while Tuncay`s hard low shot a minute from time was saved well by Zdravkov.

The 2004-2005 campaign begins with a single point but things can take a turn for the better with a team boosted by Alex de Souza and 50,000 at the Þükrü Saraçoðlu next week.

Çaykur Rizespor: Zdravkov, Kürþat, El Tabei, Alper, Gürol, Cem Baki, Ünal, Ersin, Serkan, Okan, Fahri

Fenerbahçe: Volkan Demirel, Serkan Balcý (58` Önder Turacý), Fabio Luciano, Servet Çetin, Fabiano Lima Rodriguez, Ümit Özat, Marco Aurelio, Mehmet Yozgatlý, Tuncay Þanlý, Murat Hacýoðlu (66` Murat Hacýoðlu), Pierre van Hooijdonk

Goals: 14` (P), 45+2 Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahçe), 51` Okan, 66` Serkan (P) (Çaykur Rizespor)

Source: Fenerbahçe.org