TÜRKÇE - ENGLISH

You are the fifth in the world for goals scored by goalkeepers. How did this adventure start?

IVANKOV
I scored my first goal in the Bulgarian League. Then they figured out that I score penalties well, so they let me keep it up, and I had chance to score 13 goals in one season. My old teammate who was a striker was used for penalties for two years; afterwards they let me shoot again. The same thing happened in Turkey too, my first year in the Turkish league. I wasn’t used for penalties during Ertuğrul Sağlam’s time, but since then I have been scoring the penalty goals.

Before you came to Kayseri, you lived in İstanbul. What is the difference between the two cities?

SAIDOU
I don’t think there is a big difference. As you know, I lived in Istanbul, which is very a very big city, and I got used to living there. At first it took me a while to get used to living in Kayseri, but I like it here. Since I have lived in Turkey for so long and I can speak the language fluently, I don’t have any problems.

Compared to other football players, you speak better Turkish. Was it hard for you to learn a different language?

IVANKOV
Right now it is not so difficult. Of course nothing is easy, but after I spent a couple of months with my friends, I was able to speak a little more. My understanding was much better than my speaking at that time. It has been three years now, and I am able to speak and understand fluently.

You have been playing for Kayserispor for three years. What do you think about it?

IVANKOV
Our team has been successful for three years. Playing for Kayserispor has been an honour for me and I hope I can keep it up.

You speak Turkish as well as Ivankov.  How long did it take for you to speak fluently?

SAIDOU
When got I here, the manager of the team knew a little French, and he helped me learn the Turkish language. There weren’t any lessons, but I was able to speak Turkish in three months. It takes time and practice. During those days I hung out with my teammates; also I tried to read Turkish newspapers. The first things I read from the newspaper were point tables. However I read more and I am better at the Turkish language.    

The construction of our new stadium is almost completed, and you’ll play at the new stadium next season.  What would you like to say about it?

IVANKOV
At Kayserispor, things are developing very fast. The new stadium is being built, and it looks like we’ll play there within a few months. I believe that we’ll have the best stadium in Turkey. My contract with Kayserispor is ending this year. My manager will have a meeting with the General Manager, Mr. Suleyman HURMA, and I hope they will come to the conclusion that I can play here longer, so I can have more matches as a Kayserispor player in the new stadium.

The construction of our new stadium is almost completed, and you’ll play at the new stadium next season.  What would you like to say about it?

SAIDOU
For Kayseri to build such a big stadium shows that Kayserispor has a big goal, as it hopes for UEFA .  The stadium is important for us as well as our fans. I came here this season, but we didn’t have many fans to support us. They said the reason was the cold weather, but I believe in the new season and at the new stadium, more people will support us. Hopefully, we’ll qualify for UEFA matches, and more people will attend our games at the new stadium.  

What are Kayserispor’s chances to join UEFA competition?

IVANKOV
We have a good chance to play in the UEFA Cup next year. We qualified to play in the semifinals of the FORTIS TURKISH CUP. Our team plays well which gives us a pretty big advantage. In the Turkcell Super League, we have the chance to finish in a high position. There is a 6-7 point difference between Kayserispor and our competitors. I am hoping it will stay that way, but this is football and anything can happen. We have are performing great.  I hope we go to the UEFA Cup.     

You will retire one day.  What do you plan to do afterwards? 

IVANKOV
I am not sure now.  Of course I’ll retire from football eventually. Maybe I’ll try coaching. But there is still time for that; I want to keep playing as many years as I can.

You will retire one day.  What do you plan to do afterwards? 

SAIDOU
I’m not thinking about it right now. Currently, I am playing my game and will play for a few more years. Maybe I’ll think about it before I retire, but I wish to keep playing as long as I am able to.

Which goal that you have scored is your favorite one?

IVANKOV
My favorite goal was during last year’s match against Denizlispor because it was really valuable for us. The final result was 1-0, and my goal allowed Kayserispor to get the three points. I get very excited by all my goals, but that was my favorite.  

Which goal that you have scored is your favorite one?

SAIDOU
I haven’t scored many goals.  When I was playing for Istanbulspor, we had a match against Fenerbahçe, and I scored a goal. Of course Fenerbahce fans will read this, and I want to remind them that we won the match 1-0. Another unforgettable one was this year  at Kayserispor. When you transfer to a new team and you score a goal, it is priceless. The match was against Gençlerbirliği, but we tied 1-1.     

You had a chance to train with coach Ertugrul and coach Tolunay during the three years you have been here. What is your opinion of these two great trainers?  

IVANKOV
I think they are both very good coaches and both are young. As the Kayserispor team, we are playing great. When Ertugrul SAGLAM was our trainer, we played in INTERTOTO matches and qualified for the UEFA Cup. Now we have another chance to play in the UEFA Cup. As for their training skills and as people, they both are great. I hope to keep working with coach Tolunay.  

According to you, how much of a chance does Turkey have in the EURO 2008 Cup? 

IVANKOV
I think Turkey has the chance to move up from the group, because this is football and anything is possible. The rivals in the group are pretty strong.  For example, in Portugal, Ronaldo is playing M. United.  Although it is a tough competition, Turkey has a big chance. At the Euro 2008 eliminations, they had to win their last two matches, and they did their best. They won against Norway, then they won against Bosnia. Before these two matches everyone was saying that Turkey had a 50 percent chance, and everyone saw Turkey did succeed. I am indeed happy for the Turkish team. This kind of success improves and promotes Turkish football. I wishTurkey good luck.       

According to you, how much of a chance does Turkey have in the EURO 2008 Cup? 

SAIDOU
Of course Turkey is in a difficult group. For us it is an honour to be part of it, because we are playing in the Turkish league which qualified for the first 16 at EURO 2008. It won’t be easy for the Turkish team.  I believe if Turkish team doesn’t settle their defense till the championship, they will have a hard time. When they fix that, they will have great success. No doubt, we want Turkey to succeed.

What would you like to say to your fans on www.kayserispor.org.tr? 

IVANKOV
With our wonderful fans, we make one big whole team. Now the weather is getting warmer.  I believe this will help more fans come out to support us, which will give us  great power and performance at our games.

What would you like to say to your fans on www.kayserispor.org.tr? 

SAIDOU
I want to declare that when I came here I was discouraged by empty seats. But everyone kept telling me it was because of the weather. Now the weather is warmer, and I am hoping fans will keep supporting us, just like they did at our last match, so we can keep up the good work. Because fans are the most important factor for big teams.  There is no football without  supporters. I believe it will be more crowded next year because we will have a new stadium, and like I said before, I hope they support us at the stadium. It is important for the players to feel the fans’ support.  When they motivate us, we’ll have more success.