Conflicting emotions for Galatasaray

Assistant coach Ahmet Akcan said Galatasaray AS's qualification for the UEFA Cup Round of 32 felt like a "bitter joy" after his side were held to a goalless draw by FK Austria Wien at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium yesterday.

Bitter joy
Galatasaray finished level on four points with Panionios GSS, advancing on goal difference after FC Girondins de Bordeaux came from behind to beat the Greek team in Athens last night. While delighted to progress from Group H, the poor showing and fortunate way in which the 2000 UEFA Cup winners qualified, dampened the celebrations. "This result did not reflect Galatasaray's quality," said Akcan, standing in for coach Karl-Heinz Feldkamp who missed the match through illness. "Lessons should be learned from this result, otherwise we will continue to struggle. We only advanced with help from another team. We would have liked a victory to send us through, so we only have a bitter joy right now."

No excuses
The Turkish Süper Lig leaders lost two of their four group games, leaving the coaching staff the challenge of improving performances in time for February. "We weren't able to play at our best in any of the group-stage matches," Akcan added. "Many factors contributed to making this game so difficult – such as knowing Austria Wien had lost their three matches in the competition, the fact that even a big victory might not have been enough to progress, and us listening for the score of the game between Bordeaux and Panionios. But that can't be used as an excuse for our bad display. We should have won by playing smarter football." Akcan, though, insists Galatasaray's aim is still to "win the trophy".

Better prepared
Galatasaray general manager Adnan Sezgin accepted Galatasaray did not play well enough but was delighted to see his club go through. "We struggled a lot but that won't stop us thinking about the next rounds. It's very important to control your own destiny. Our players went on to the pitch bearing this in mind but there was a lot of pressure. In the end, we were only certain of qualifying when the news came through from Athens, but it was just important to get through somehow. We don't have a preference for our next opponents, but given that our injured players will return by February, our team will be better prepared."