Day: August 10, 2024

Turkish side Ankara Keciorengucu unveil Steven Caulker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker makes debut in Keçiörengücü’s opening draw

Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker played his first game for his Turkish team Keçiörengücü on Friday in the season’s opener, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Keçiörengücü, who played away against Sakaryaspor in the first week of the Trendyol 1st League 2024-2025 season, left the field with a 1-1 draw.

New acquisition Caulker played the full throttle of the game – his first 90-minute of action since February.

Striker Aliou Traore scored the visitor’s opener, but his goal was cancelled in the 56th minute through Emre Demir’s leveller.

In July 2024, Caulker returned to Turkey after signing a one-year deal with TFF First League club Keçiörengücü, with the option of a further one-year extension.

Keciorengucu’s next league action is against Bandirmaspor on Saturday, August 17, in front of the home fans.

Fornah's Derby suffer opening Championship defeat at Ewood Park
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fornah’s Derby suffer opening Championship defeat at Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers secured a strong 4-2 victory over Derby County, with goals from Sammie Szmodics, Andreas Weimann, and Yuki Ohashi.

A first-half strike from Blackburn attacker Tyrhys Dolan was equalized by Curtis Nelson’s header in the second half, followed by rapid goals from Andi Weimann and Sammie Szmodics, giving the hosts a two-goal advantage.

Weimann, playing against his former club, scored with his second touch after coming on as a substitute, and Szmodics continued his scoring form from last season when he was the division’s top scorer.

Japanese forward Ohashi added a fourth goal, and Kane Wilson scored a consolation goal for Derby.

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah was an 86-minute substitute replacing David Ozoh Derby’s new signing.

Post-match reaction – Blackburn boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:

“We’ve had seven weeks of work in pre-season and there’s been good things and also bad things that we’ve had to put right.

“It’s only the start – there’s so much hard work ahead of us, but it was pleasing to see that performance today.

“I thought every player that was on that pitch was outstanding. But there’s a lot more hard work ahead.”

Derby boss Paul Warne told BBC Radio Derby:

At 1-1, I honestly thought we would go on and win the match. We got punished for our mistakes, and it’s a quick lesson for us. You can’t go away from home and concede four goals and expect to come away with anything.

I was pleased with large parts of our play, but not with the final score. In the second half, we gave it our all, scored a goal, and I believed we could win. We were on top, and I made the mistake of probably not making my substitutions quickly enough. I think the turning point was when they made changes and brought on fresh legs – outstanding fresh legs.legs.”

Derby will face Chesterfield at Pride Park Stadium in Round One of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday at 7:45 pm.