Petkovic Wins Battle Of Aussies In Turkey

Trabzonspor, with former South Melbourne goalkeeper Michael Petkovic in between the posts, has secured the first of what would be a marvellous double, after winning the Turkish Cup with a 4-0 whitewash of Genclerbirligi, home of Socceroo Josip Skoko.

Trabzonspor, with former South Melbourne goalkeeper Michael Petkovic (pictured right) in between the posts, has secured the first of what would be a marvellous double, after winning the Turkish Cup with a 4-0 whitewash of Genclerbirligi, home of Socceroo Josip Skoko.   Petkovic and his club are also challenging for the Turkish League title and with two games remaining are two points behind leaders Fenerbahce.   It was the second successive season that the two teams met in the Cup Final with Trabzonspor winning 3-1 last season. Wednesday night-s victory is their 7th Cup title, which is second only to Galatasaray, who have won 13.   The final was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests, with Trabzonspor only able to break clear in the final 20 minutes with three goals.   They led 1-0 after 23 minutes through Yilmaz, but it was only able to break the game open in the 70th minute when Turkish international midfielder Gokdeniz added a second.   From there it all went pear-shaped for Genclerbirligi, as Gokdeniz added his second from penalty spot; Youla was sent off in the 88th minute and Augustine added a fourth goal.   With Trabzonspor already guaranteed Champions League football next season, Genclerbirligi will play in the UEFA Cup again next season. Skoko helped his side reach the quarter finals where they were beaten over two-legs by Spanish league leaders Valencia.

Petkovic will be now hoping he can win his way into the Socceroo squad for the upcoming two-match series against Turkey and also the OFC Nations Cup a week later in Adelaide. Skoko is a certainty to be called up.