We are back at it with a full schedule of Canadian Internationals competing in Europe as every player of note is back at it after the winter break. Most notably the 2.Bundesliga returned to action where Kevin McKenna’s Koln have been on an impressive undefeated run that has extended to seven games courtesy of a last minute winner on Saturday to come out 2-1.
There were two players who stood apart from the rest, however, there have been a few other players that have been getting minutes deserving of recognition. David Edgar continues to appear for Burnley who lost a good opportunity this weekend to further establish themselves near the top of the Championship as Edgar subbed in as his side could not hold off Peterborough United in a 2-2 draw.
In Turkey
It was a massive week for Milan Borjan and Sivasspor as they rose to the challenge of taking on league powerhouse Fenerbahce twice. Their first encounter was at home in an important Turkish Cup fixture. A result was critical to keep Sivasspor in second place and ahead of Bursaspor before the last game of the group stage. Borjan would hold on for a clean sheet, and coupled with Bursaspor drawing 1461 Trabzon, Sivasspor are four points clear of third and have progressed to the Semi Finals of the Cup.
Sivasspor will now meet Trabzonspor in a home and away to determine who goes to the finals. This is an important round because to get to the finals will be one step closer to getting into the Europa League as the winner of the Turkish Cup advances into a Europa League playoff spot. However, what makes it even more crucial for Sivasspor to advance is that the other Semi Final bracket will have Fenerbahce in it. If Fenerbahce advance and they face off in the finals, Sivasspor might have two chances at the Europa League because if a team qualifies for a European competition via the league table, the runner up of the Turkish Cup takes their spot.
Sivasspor would then have to go to Istanbul in a rematch with league repercussions. Sivasspor and Borjan followed up their result mid-week by topping it with a 2-1 victory that has moved them into a comfortable mid-table position.
In Netherlands
It was a big week also in the Netherlands as a mid-week appearance for PSV notched Atiba Hutchinson’s 100th appearance for the Eindoven club. Hutchinson would go 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Feyenoord in the KNVB Cup to advance to the Semi-Finals against PEC Zwolle. Even though they are not near the top of the table, in their last encounter, PSV were humbled at home 3-1 by Zwolle.
PSV however, were not humbled at home this weekend. Their astronomical goal difference continued to grow as Hutchinson would have a direct hand in two goals in a 7-0 route of ADO Den Haad. With the win, PSV remain atop the Eredivisie, now three points clear of Ajax, and with a FC Twente loss, they’ve opened a four point lead over their next main competitor.
Milan Borjan makes some huge saves (two more near 6:00 mark and 6:40 mark) to hold a clean sheet against Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup and with the draw advance to the Semi-Finals:
Atiba Hutchinson makes his 101st appearance for PSV and lays off the insurance goal in a 7-0 route of ADO Den Haag.
FC Koln continue their strong unbeaten run, which advances to seven games after this late winner in a 2-1 victory:
Here's how the rest of Canada's Internationals did Across the Pond:
Issey Nakajima-Farran – Alki (CPR – D1):
Monday, January 28, played 70 minutes in a 2-2 draw with Doxa.
Saturday, February 2, played 58 minutes in a 4-1 victory over Paphos.
Mike Klukowski – APOEL (CPR – D1):
Saturday, February 2, played all 90 minutes in 2-0 victory over Nea Salamis.
Simeon Jackson – Norwich City (ENG - D1):
Saturday, February 2, did not play in a 0-0 draw with QPR.
David Edgar – Burnley (ENG - D2):
Saturday, February 2, subbed in at the 53rd minute in a 2-2 draw with Peterborough United.
Iain Hume – Doncaster Rovers (ENG – D3):
Saturday, February 2, did not play in a 2-0 loss to Bury.
Marcus Haber – Stevenage (ENG – D3):
Saturday, February 2, did not play in a 1-0 loss to Leyton Orient.
Haidar Al-Shaibani – Nimes (FRA - D2):
Friday, February 1, did not play in a 1-0 loss to Caen.
Olivier Occean – Eintracht Frankfurt (GER - D1):
Saturday, February 2, did not play in a 2-0 victory over Hamburer SV.
Marcel De Jong – FC Augsburg (GER - D1):
Saturday, February 2, did not play in a 1-1 draw with Wolfsburg.
Kevin McKenna – FC Koln (GER – B2):
Saturday, February 2, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Erzgebirge Aue.
Rob Friend – 1860 Munich (GER – B2):
Next match, Monday February 4 v Kaiserslautern.
Randy Edwini-Bonsu – Eintracht Braunschweiger (GER - D2):
Saturday, February 2, did not play in a 2-1 victory over Paderborn.
Adam Straith – Saarbrucken (GER - D3):
Sunday, February 3, did not play in a 3-3 draw with Dortmund II.
Tomer Chencinski – Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR – D1):
Saturday, February 2, did not play in a 1-0 victory over Hapoel Ramat Gan.
Atiba Hutchinson – PSV Eindoven (NED - D1):
Wednesday, January 30, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Feyenoord.
Saturday, February 2, played all 90 minutes with TWO ASSISTS in a 7-0 victory over ADO Den Haag.
Pedro Pacheco – Santa Clara (POR – D2):
Sunday, February 3, played in a 2-2 draw with Desportivo Aves..
Andre Hainault – Ross County (SCO – D1):
Saturday, February 2, did not play in a 2-2 draw with Hearts.
Stefan Cebara – NK Celje (SLV – D1):
Next match, March 1, 2013 v Gorica.
Milan Borjan – Sivasspor (TUR – D1):
Wednesday, January 30, played all 90 minutes and kept a CLEAN SHEET in a 0-0 draw with Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup.
Sunday, February 3, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Fenerbahce.
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