If only Genclerbirligi play like this every week

I read in Haber Turk newspaper this morning that Gencler's coach Ralf Zumdick would almost certainly be sacked today if he didn't pull off a win. Whilst the money is still on him being replaced some time soon by a Turkish manager, today's performance must at least buy him a week or two... maybe more.

Thanks to the clocks going back last night I got an extra hour to sleep off the effects of Saturday night's Haloween party at the Red Lion Club and so I was in tip top shape for my first Efes of the day at the Beer Bus. Myself and Little Oz Kanka were joined by Flying Dutchman Kanka Carlo, Oguz and a newcomer by the name of David, Toronto Kanka David from now on.

The last time Toronto Kanka went to a footy match was when he was about 10 years-old. The match was between Toronto and the New York Cosmos, with Pele playing for the Cosmos. "Don't expect much Pele-like magic today," I warned him. We were all to be surprised.

Genclerbirligi 2 - 0 Manisaspor

The match started off with wonderful sunshine

First couple of minutes and Manisa looked like the better team. Didn't take too long for us to get our first chance though when Jedinak gave Zec a perfect pass which should have been put away. Zec didn't look like he was expecting it though and the ball went straight to the keeper.

Zec was in the action again just a few minutes later smashing a ball played through by ... er... not sure, but the ball went straight to the keeper.

It was all looking great at this stage with Hursut in particular dazzling the crowd and making complete fools of the Manisa defenders. Almost every time he got the ball he would play the sort of showboating footy that we love and which defenders hate. His skills eventually pissed off the Manisa players so much that they started to try and foul him out of the game. Something which the referee, who was completely useless today and quite possibly had money on the number of cards he was going to hand out to us, pretty much ignored.

Hursut kept us on our feet in the 34th beating a defender with style and sending a ball through in the box that was almost certainly going to go out. Ayhan had other ideas though, ran through and sent it back to the back of the box where Serkan was lieing in wait. Bang. Goal. Gencler 1 - 0 Manisa.

Various Gencler fans, including Flying Dutchman Kanka, Emin, Oguz and Big and Little Oz Kanka.

More attacks from us. More fouls (but bugger all cards) by Manisa. This was clearly our day and manisa decided to play dirty. Half-time though and all was good in the world.

Second-half and it was more of the same. We attacked, they fouled us, and whenever we committed a foul out came the yellow card. It was the typical pathetic refereeing that we have come to expect in the Super Lig.

Little Oz Kanka and Toronto Kanka
Hursut played a part in the second goal as well when he passed to Zec who took a wonderful shot from outside the box. Wow. It was nice stuff and the crowd started shouting for three. Genclerbirligi 2 - 0.

More attacks, more chances for Gencler but we couldn't make them stick. Manisa had just a couple of decent attacks all match. Perhaps if they had been lucky they might have accidently got one, but overall Gencler were by far the better team today.

All up, bloody good stuff and long may it continue.

Oh yes, an old friend came on for Manisa sometime in the second half, and he was looking bigger than ever. Yes, former Gencler forward Kahe is now at Manisa, and he is clearly enjoying the food there. For the record, he did bugger all.

Little and Big Oz Kanka celebrate in the darkness as Gencler seal the win. 

EDIT: You can check out Toronto Kanka's take on the game at his blog.

ANKARAGUCU WIN A POINT !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Yesterday Ankaragucu won a point thanks to the heroics of Senecky (back in the team after a long term injury) who pulled off two fantastic saves to frustrate Es-Es and win a point for Ankaragucu.

Eskisehirspor 0 ANKARAGUCU 0

However, the match was a boring .... yawn ..... yawn .... from the 2nd minute till the end.

One of the few exciting moments of the match came in the 2nd minute when Metin struck from the edge of the box and Ivesa made a great save to turn the ball around the post for a corner.

There was only Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I there to witness 'the bore' and we spent a good deal of the match chatting and putting the world to rights !

Team -

Senecky
Muhammed, Zewlakow, Klukowsk and Rajnoch
Guven, Adem, Weeks and Murat
Sestak and Metin

Substitutes used - Umut, Dogan and Ozgur

Murat Duruer's name was mentioned twice (as I recall) from the beginning of the match until the 54th minute when he was substituted. Once when he actually touched the ball, and once when he was replaced by Dogan !! Why don't we transfer him to Muglaspor or Vanspor ???!!!

Apart from Metin's effort in the 2nd minute, there was one other 'Ankaragucu moment' when Sestak took a free kick outside the box in the 50th minute, curled it round the wall, and with Ivesa static, the ball hit the bar and went over. Unlucky !

Going back to Senecky's heroics, the first on 30 minutes was a header from Batuhan which was a goal all the way, but Senecky somehow got his fingertips to it. The ball was deflected onto the bar and thankfully it bounced on the right side of the pitch and was cleared by a defender.

The second was almost at full time when he smothered the ball just in front of the goal line a split-second before an Es-Es attacker made contact. Senecky for Man of the Match ? Defo !

That was just about all the 'excitement', ..... ahhhhhh ....... well, not quite ............

I forgot to mention the 'Es-Es Orchestra' which kept us entertained. Even the camera controller zoomed in on them many times during the match - no doubt he was as bored as us !!

Another talking point was Battle Damaged Kanka's obvious intention to be nominated as winner of this season's Most Stylish Kanka in the annual Competition. He was wearing a luvvlie pair of black leather gloves to keep his delicate hands warm and he looked so ....... sweet. Knowing him, they were probably top of the range and made in Italy ??!!

Looking forward to next weekend, and Ankaragucu is at home to Gaziantep on Saturday KO 5pm. Meeting in The Beer Bus Bar as usual at about 3pm. It is to hoped that Sapara has recovered from his injury to bring some organisation back to the midfield.

Gencler will be playing Kayseri away on Friday KO 8pm.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU - PURGATORY

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

I just can't bring myself to write a short report tonight (because that's what it will be). Good idea to do it tomorrow when my blood pressure is down at ....... normal !

Eskisehir 0 ANKARAGUCU 0

Not the most inspiring score line and not the most inspiring match -to put it mildly.

Also, more bad news ................ Ankaragucu have Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Cup Group ...... nooooooo.......... arghhhhhhhhhhh ............. the kiss of death me says !!!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Nadeem on the Turkish Football Weekly

New podcast up on Turkish Football Weekly, includes Nadeem interviewed after the Ankaragucu match (about seven minutes in).

Check it out here

ANKARAGUCU LEAVE IT LATE IN THE TURKISH CUP

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu had nerve ends jangling last night and left it late to eliminate Tokat from the Turkish Cup.

ANKARAGUCU 3 Tokatspor 1

The Terrible Two (Maniac and Eski) were the only kankas brave enough to attend what was ultimately a poor match. True enough, Ankaragucu scored three fantastic goals, but all credit goes to Tokat for refusing to throw in the towel.

Tokat seemed in awe of Ankaragucu in the first half and it was mostly one way traffic with Mehmet Cakir guilty of wasting several chances by balsting the ball wide or over.

The Tokat defence was growing in confidence but it was finally breached after 25 minutes play by Sapara (who else ?!) who fired in a long range rocket from outside the box which flew into the net with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Here we go then - open the floodgates !! Wrong !!!

Just before half time Sapara went down off-the-ball and was stretchered off. This will be a massive blow if he joins Vittek on the long-term injury list.

Into the 2nd half then and much to our frustration, Tokat began to take control in search of the equaliser. Ankaragucu was confined to breakaway attacks, and from one of those, Meye almost scored but sent his bullet of a header just over.

It was still Tokat doing most of the attacking but on the 70th minute mark, Metin picked up a pass just inside the Tokat half and beat two defenders going hell for leather. He then took the ball around the keeper and slotted in for a great solo goal.

Shortly after, another bullet header from Meye, but just wide of the target.

5 minutes to go, and with all the substitutes used, Aydin went down and was stretchered off to the Ambulance. No sooner had the Ambulance departed the Stadium than Tokat were back in the game. From a corner, there was a game of 'ping-pong' in the box with the ball and one of the Tokat players's got a touch to score.

Nervous glances between Maniac and Eski with 5 minutes of time added on. Can we hold on was the question ??!!

It was Meye who calmed the nerves with the goal of the match. He picked the ball up on the halfway line, beat one defender, shrugged off the challenge of a second, and closing in on goal, fired it into the corner. Thank you Meye we said as we stood up to applaud a really great goal.

So, Ankaragucu safely into the Group Stage but not an inspiring display, even allowing for the fact that Sestak and Guven were absent.

During the match we heard some mutterings of discontent about the comment made by Spine in a previous post. According to Anti-X sources, the management plan to resign after the Es-Es match this weekend with possibly Cemal Aydin returning !!! Arghhhhhhhhh !!!! Watch this space for more on this subject.

Back to league business on Saturday away to Eskisehir. The KO is 3.30pm and we will be watching it in The Beer Bus Bar.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

EDIT -

The two photographs which I have just added were taken by Anti-X Nehri at the Ankaragucu v Bursa match last weekend. A happy smiley bunch of kankas which is amazing considering the scoreline !!

THE TURKISH CUP - MADE IT ..... JUST !!!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu joined Gencler in the Group Stages of the Turkish Cup tonight ..... but ..... only just !

ANKARAGUCU 3 Tokatspor 1

It was all toil and trouble and perhaps the hand of God had a say in Ankaragucu's fortunate result.

A full report of the match attended by The Terrible Two (Maniac and Eski) will follow tomorrow, but in the meantime, I have to tell you about another of Battle Damaged Damon's great quotes in a text message to me about an hour ago ..............

I don't have to tell you that he has a way with words, but .......... this is a classic .......

Quote ........ Yessssssss, we fucked Tokatspor Unquote !!!

OK, he wasn't there and it wasn't that easy, but ........ what about that quote ??!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Genclerbirligi through to next round

Due to some unexpected work that came my way (I hope none of you have to experience the powerpoint show that I did a voiceover for) I wasn't able to make it to Tuesday night's Turkish Cup match which saw Gencler defeat Akcabatspor 4 - 1. Goals came from Jedinak, Zec (2) and Patiyo.

While there is nothing much in the papers, according to a number of fans on the interwebs the match was pretty crap, despite the big score.

Hursut and Harbuzi were agreed to be crap and coach Ralf said he wasn't happy.

Still, as Spine told me a little while ago. "Will you please stop telling me that we played well but lost. Instead, tell me we played like crap but still won."

Well, there you go Spine.

ANKARAGUCU RECEIVE A FOOTIE LESSON

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

It was Ankaragucu's turn to receive a footie lesson yesterday after being 'the teachers' last weekend, and it only took Bursaspor 45 minutes to show their multi-skills.

ANKARAGUCU 1 Bursaspor 5

I left the Stadium wondering why the Ankaragucu defence was posted missing and why Bursa didn't manage to beat Rangers and ManYoo with this style of play ?!

However, it all started at midday when we met in the Beer Bus Bar for morning coffee. We were all fired-up with optimism pills, but I think I have to check and see if they are time expired !

Bellshill Kanka Nadeem (showing off his new Ankaragucu Centenery top), Weegie Kankie Rebecca, Pu Kanka Fabio, Flying Dutchman Kanka Carlo, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Roger the Dodger Kanka and yours truly.

We were all praying for an Ankaragucu win, not just for the 3 points, but for Nadeem to see his beloved Ankaragucu win a match .......... hmmmmm ......... no comment !

Off we went to the Stadium where we met up with Maniac Kanka Harun, Angel Kankie Hazal, Yankee Kanka and Husso Kanka. btw, Huso left at half time, and in hindsight .... a wise move !

Team line-up -

Ozden
Muhammed, Aydin, Klukowski and Rajnoch
Guven, Weeks, Ozgur and Sapara
Sestak and Metin

Substitutes used - Turgut, Umut and Kagan

The Stadium was almost full and the love-in between the Ankaragucu Tribunes and Bursa's Teksas had already started. Also, the two teams came out together which is an unusual sight, but this is the brotherly spirit which these two teams are famous for.

The match started at a frantic pace and it was Ankaragucu who drew first blood. A great solo effort from Sestak (similar to his goal last week) and we were all up hi-fiving and hugging each other fully expecting a reprise of last week's match.

Ho ho ho ...... wishful thinking ........ we were soon silenced when Bursa started to take control and in the 16th minute Ibrahim sent in a rocket of a header from a corner kick. Why wasn't he marked and allowed a free header I ask ?!

10 minutes later the writing was on the wall. Another Bursa attack with a cut-back header, and there was Turgay unmarked to slot it into the corner with Ozden having no chance.

We were all up on our feet again shouting 'penalty' when Sestak was pushed in the box, but the referee seemingly played advantage when Metin latched on the the loose ball and scored. The linesman had other ideas and signalled for an offside. Bad luck ? Yes.

Bursa went straight into the attack from the resulting free kick and was awarded another in the Ankaragucu half. From that free kick the ball was sent into the box and Omer had all the time in the world to send a header into the top left hand corner ..... and again there was no marking ..... grrrrrrrr !

A few minutes later it was almost 4, but Ozden made a great save to tip it over for a corner.

5 minutes to go to half time and the speedy Serdar left the Ankaragucu defenders for dead to cut back from the goal line for Ergic to score No4 with the Ankaragucu defence posted missing AGAIN !

Into injury time and that man Serdar again left defenders in his wake and lobbed the ball over Ozden for the 5th. A simple goal, but Ozden was left exposed once more.

What a disastrous perfomance from an Ankaragucu viewpoint, but a classic attacking performance from Bursa - breathtaking at times !

It was pretty obvious on the 2nd half performance that Bursa had been told to take their 'foot off the gas'. Also, further goals from Bursa may well have incited a Gecikondu boys to riot with plastic chairs being used as missiles !

Ankaragucu almost made the scoreline more respectable when Sestak had two glorious chances to score, but he blasted both efforts over the bar when a tap-in was all that was required.

Anyway, the love-in between the tribunes continued all through the 2nd half. I suppose singing to each other was more desirable than falling asleep with boredom as Bursa passed the ball around to kill time !!!

So, it is to be hoped that Ankaragucu learned something from their footie lesson. Instilling a sense of discipline and organisation into the defence would be a good place to start !

Next weekend, Ankaragucu is away in Eski's City. However, prior to that there is the small matter of an important Turkish Cup match to negotiate if Ankaragucu is to reach the financially rewarding group stage.

Ankaragucu will play Tokat in Ankara on Wednesday KO 7pm. I will be going to The Beer Bus Bar at 5pm and going to the Stadium at around 6pm. Anyone going to join me ?

Let's hope Nadeem chooses an 'easier' match next time !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU TAKE BROTHERY LOVE TOO FAR !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu showed their other face today !

After humiliating Galatasaray last week, they allowed Bursa to do a similar hatchet job !

ANKARAGUCU 1 Bursa 5

The match report will follow tomorrow, but suffice to say that Bursa's goal machine was on 'active' today, which should have been 'on' in Glasgow and Manchester !

Five great goals with the Ankaragucu defence posted 'missing' which can't in any way excuse the general performance of Ankaragucu.

The bottom line is ..... that Ankaragucu's defence was torn apart in 45 minutes by a vastly superior team !

Full report of the humiliation tomorrow.

btw, those optimism pills I took this morning must be time expired !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

And now for a change of pace

Nadeem and Rebecca flew in from Scotland on Friday and with such esteemed guests it was decided to slightly change our plans this week. So instead of heading directly to the Beer Bus we started first at the Old Mariner. The roll call: Dan the Man, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Eski Kanka Jim, Battle Hardened Kanka Damon, Nadeem, Rebecca and your correspondant. We were later joined by Billy.

Conversation over the Efes ranged from the some strange intonations in the Turkish language to the Romanian football league. One little tidbit we learnt was that Rebecca is a Celtic fan and Nadeem a Rangers supporter. Must make for interesting times on derby day.

Off to Kebab 49 for some grub and then down to the Beer Bus for the match of day.

Trabzon 3 - 1 Genclerbirligi

With Doll sacked during the week Gencler were playing under his old assistant Ralf Zumdick. I wasn't very optimistic before the match but was quietly happy when we came out attacking.

Zumdick pictured next to the dugout during Saturday nights 3-1 loss to Trabzon.

Harbuzi and Zec were creating problems for what seemed like a tired Trabzon outfit. We were not just camping in the Trabzon half but getting off good shots on goal. This all paid off in 33rd minute when Serkan came flying in from defence and smashed a free ball into Billy Mehmet's back which ricocheted into the back of the net. I'm not even sure the keeper could have saved it even if it hadn't hit Billy as the ball was flying.

High fives all round at the Beer Bus where there were also a dozen or so Alkaralar fans. We kept up the attacks and all wasn't seeming too bad at half-time.

Second half and eh...? I have no idea what they put into the drinks of the Trabzonspor players but boy oh boy did it work. The entire second half was completely and uterly dominated by the home team. The equaliser came in the 68th and then two more later on. All a bit depressed at the end.

I'm not sure how long Zumdick will last (the rumour mill has it that a Turkish coach is being sought out) but he certainly has a difficult case on his hands. I can only wish him the best of luck. He will need it.

It's a game of both halves

What an amazing first half performance. What a crap second half effort. That about sums it up. Trabzon 3 - 1 Genclerbirligi. Oh dear, oh dear. I'm not sure if I can be bothered to write more later on... but I guess I will try.

New Manager New Era for Hibs

This season has not been too good for Hibs despite winning their first league game. 2 draws and 4 defeats followed plus early exits from Europe and the League cup all contributed towards manager John Hughes throwing in the towel.



So the search for a new manager got under way with a host of names being thrown into the pot. The usual list of managers currently out of work added to by some more colourfull names from Europe had the fans talking.



It also got the players fired up because they finally won another league game last Saturday, 2-1 at home against Kilmarnock. Can not say it was fully deserved but at least they got the breaks that had deserted them over the last 6 weeks or so.



Anyway a new manager was finally announced on Monday, Colin Calderwood decided to move from being Newcastles No.2 to be his own man at Easter Road. Colin has had some success in the lower leagues in England and has talked a good game since taking up the post in Edinburgh.



Now is the time to 'Walk the Walk' Colin!



Regards



Hibbee Kanka

A rollercoaster day for Genclerbirligi fans

I handed out the season tickets and we were just about to go into the cage, ie a few metres before the turnstyle, when Flying Dutchman Kanka Carlo noticed how similiar the cards were to last season's. It was then we realised that they were last season's cards and so we got out of the line. Fortunately we managed to scam three season tickets on the spot and only Oguz had to actually buy a ticket. Got to love Gencler fans.

Genclerbirligi 2 - 3 Antalyaspor

After weeks of crap weather we finally had a nice sunny Sunday. Excellent Efes-drinking weather. Not too bad for football either. Spine and Flying Dutchman joined myself and Little Oz Kanka for the pre-match ritual. Little Oz Kanka had earlier decided that he didn't want to go to the football as he had a sore throat. "It will be very hard for me to shout," he said. "I think I will have to stay at home and play Civilization V". A minute later Mrs Oz Kanka told me that I had to have Burger King for lunch. "Where's my Gencler shirt Daddy?" Kids are so easy to bribe nowadays.

Despite the season ticket kerfuffle we managed to get in just before the national anthems and sat back and watched what was both a very enjoyable and extremely frustrating match.

Antalya came out attacking but it was us who went ahead early on when someone or other was brought down in the box. The ref made one of his few correct decisions and pointed at the spot. Billy Mehmet put it away.

Again Antalya attacked but we almost went 2-0 up after a wonderful pass from Zec up front to Billy whose shot on goal was stopped by the outstretched leg of Omer Catkic.

The real start of the crap refereeing started at this point with a very dodgy penalty given to Antalya. Serdar made a wonderful reflexive save and we began to wonder if this could be our day. Zec was making real inroads and we were counterattacking with ease. Surely another goal would come soon.

Indeed it did, but to Antalya. Serdar buggered up badly by not covering the angles and the first half finished at 1-1.

Flying Dutchman Kanka and Oz Kanka at haltime. Photo by Spine

Second half and both teams put on some nice football. Although Billy Mehmet seemed to have some trouble with his first touch he was attracting defenders and leaving space for others. Then came one of the weirder goals you will see. Someone sent the ball across the Antalya goal. It was innocous stuff and Omer should have moved off his line and taken it straight away. Instead he stayed rooted for a fraction too long and then ran after the ball as it headed towards the edge of the box near the goal line. He realised his momentum was going to send him out of the box so he placed the ball inside the box and tryed to scramble back to get it. Zec grabbed the ball and fired from an almost impossible angle. In! Huge cheers all round.

Everything was going well and then Alparslan, who had come on for Harbuzi, was handed a straight red in the 67th minute. An extremely harsh decision and Alparslan stormed off kicking rubbish bins and nearby kiddies. The card pretty much handed the match to Antalya. They launched wave after wave of attacks and the body language of the Gencler players showed they downhearted. The equaliser came from a free kick. I'm not sure who was to blame. Was the wall set correctly? I have no idea. Then a few minutes later some extremely slack defending saw Tita score a nice solo effort.

Gencler finally got themselves into gear but the ref again came through with an atrocious decision to award another penalty to Antalya. This time it was the post which saved us. Dying minutes of the match and we just couldn't get the ball in, despite some all out attacks with our keeper in their box.

Match over and we called the Gencler players over. Gave them a cheer for a good effort undermined by the ref. Back to the Beer Bus to join up with the Ankaragucu crowd and news came in that Thomas Doll had been sacked. Quite depressing news. He was a good bloke coaching with his hands tied behind his back. Not only have we been hit hard this year with injuries and strange referee decisions but the club refused to allow him any say in the transfers we made at the end of the season. What sort of club does that? A club that needs change, at the top.

The supporters yesterday knew why we lost and it nothing to do with our players or tactics. That was why we called the players over at the end of the match. Didn't anyone in management see this? As I said. All quite depressing but at least all of us Gencler fans got to cheer on Ankaragucu's success. Quite a rollercoaster day.

News just in from Spine

Gencer trained without Doll this morning and the players looked "oldukca uzgun" (pretty upset), Anatolia reports.

Cavcav met Doll for an hour. A final decision and settlement awaits arrival of Doll's manager, Wolfgang Voge from Germany, AA says.

Alparslan apologises for his red-card tantrum: "My world has collapsed," he says.

Keeper Serdar says: "No one would want Doll to go. It's the management decision and we have to respect it."

ANKARAGUCU - THE REAL LIONS OF THE SUPER LEAGUE !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Galatasaray 2 ANKARAGUCU 4

Now that the dust has settled, and my hangover departed, it is time to try and remember the details of last night, which I have to confess are still a bit hazy !

We met up in The Beer Bus Bar as usual - Maniac Kanka Harun, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Marash Kanka Hakan, Roger the Dodger Kanka and yours truly. We were then joined by the Gencler kankas returning from the Stadium - Oz and Little Oz Kankas Chris and Mathew and Flying Dutchman Kanka Carlo.

I must confess I was feeling rather optimistic pre-KO ....... perhaps it was the Efes, or the optimism pill, or even the starting line up -

Ozden
Ugur, Klukowski, Zewlakow and Rajnoch
Ozgur, Weeks, Sapara and Guven
Sestak and Metin

2nd half substitutes used - Aydin, Hurriyet and Turgut

I was particularly pleased that Umit Bey had decided to play 4-4-2 and Ankaragucu was straight into attack mode from the KO.

As I've said a thousand times, this is the only way to play against the Istanbul teams !

We didn't have long to wait for the first goal which was a clinical strikers goal from Metin after 3 minutes of play. A free kick was quickly taken near the halfway line (was the ball moving when it was taken ????? - nahhhhhh .... optical illusion !!!) to the running Metin. He left 3 defenders in his wake with his pace, controlled the ball on the run, and tucked it away in the corner of the net with Ufuk nowhere near it.

This was the turning point of the match that posted a statement that Ankaragucu had not come to lie down to the lions. It was Ankaragucu who was roaring a challenge !!

Galatasaray weaved their patterns all over the place in the first half to try and find a way back but Ozden and the defence were the equal to anything thrown against them.

That's how it stayed till the half time whistle and we were full of confidence that Ankaragucu could deliver more. And they did with relish !

Ozgur bagged No2 shortly after the resumption of play and we were up dancing, singing and Hi-fiving !

However, did I detect frowns on faces when Baros pulled one back a few minutes later ? Why was he left unmarked at the far post to pick his spot ? Umit Bey to correct that fault this week on the Training Ground me thinks !!

Then, 2 minutes later, we were all up dancing and singing again when Sestak scored a great solo effort which equalled Metin's opener for coolness and clinical finishing.

20 minutes to go and Ufuk gets his marching orders for a trip on Sestek.

15 minutes to go and we are all fired up ......... Galatasaray down to 10 men, Ankaragucu still going forward, and then ......... that man Baros fires in an angled shot to beat Ozden.

Oh Shit ! Can we hold out I am asking ? Maniac Kanka assures me that we will score a 4th, and you know he doesn't make wild statements ??!!

He was right again. Super Sub Turgut slots in No4 in time added on to send us up and dancing again. Yesssssssssssssssss !!!

A fantastic team performance from Ankaragucu and a great night for us long suffering Ankaragucu Kankas. A quote from Battle Damaged Kanka at the final whistle ...... 'We fucked Galatasaray' !!! Not one of his best quotes, but I think he got his message over !!!

It is difficult to single anyone out for Man of the Match, but I'd give it to Metin, not just for that crucial opening goal, but for his running on and off the ball. He has really come on in leaps and bounds this season.

If I was Vittek and Meye, I would be contemplating some time sitting on the bench in the next few weeks or months !

Sorry to disappoint Ata over there in that strange land across The Pond, but I chickened out of running naked down Sakarya Caddesi at the end of the match. That would have been a bridge too far and would probably have been the end of my teaching career !!! However, I think we casused enough nuisances of ourselves with our dancing, singing and ..... oh yes ....swearing !!

So, looking ahead, I don't think Bursa will be looking forward with too much confidence for their visit to Ankaragucu next Sunday after seeing Ankaragucu's goal machine notch up 8 goals in their last 2 matches. Bring 'em on I say and let's give Nadeem something to cheer about on his 2nd visit to Buyuk Baskent.

All the best from Mr Optimistic, Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU PUT THE LIONS BACK INTO THEIR CAGE !!!

Greeting Kankas and Kankies.

A disappointing night for Gencler, but ..............

at least the Lions of Istanbul were given a footie lesson by Ankaragucu in the Lions Den !!!

Galatasaray 2 ANKARAGUCU 4

A euphoric night down Sakarya Caddesi in the Beer Bus Bar and you can only imagine the celebrations which ensued.

A full report tomorrow when the dust has settled.

In the meantime ................ let's sing a goodnight song together ...........

Ready ?

After three then .............. 1 ............... 2 .................... 3 .....................

Lie lie lie lie lie lie .......Aaaaankaaaarrrrraaaagooooojoooooo !!!!!!

All the best from intoxicated Eski Kanka Jim

Gencler hit by Antalya... and the ref

A very short preview to my full report which I shall write up once I have sobered up. We got hit badly. Gencler probably deserved to lose the match but the manner in which the referee inserted himself... well, let's just say that I'm not very happy.

The score: Genclerbirligi 2 - 3 Antalyaspor

The Turkish Football Weekly has some advice for Sir Eski

The latest podcast from the Turkish Football Weekly is out and not only does it include rants against the Istanbul-centric approach to football in this country (something that regular readers here know only too well), laments on the utter crapness of the national team in the last week or so, previews of Bursa's upcoming Champion's league matches, a plug for Turkey's finest football resource, a fine example of fence sitting by saying that Ankaragucu might have a chance against Galatasaray on Sunday but also but also some advice for Sir Eski Kanka in the event that Ankaragucu actually manages to pull off a very unlikely victory.

If you think that sentence was long check out the podcast which comes in at more than two hours. If you are the lazy type (ie most of you lot) you can click on play, listen for a while and then move the slider thing to about two hours, 8 minutes in to hear Ata and Jeremy's advice to Jim. Enjoy!

THE TURKISH CUP - PLAY OFFS

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The play-off dates and KOs have been finalised for the final round of the Turkish Cup before the teams go into the group stages.

Genclerbirligi v A.Sebat - Tuesday 26 October - KO 7pm

Ankaragucu v Tokat - Wednesday 27 October - KO 7pm

Both are MUST WIN matches to enter the money-spinning group stages, so it is vital that there are no slip-ups or Cup Shocks to the 'minnows'.

I am hoping to go to the Ankaragucu match. Anyone joining me ???

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

UPCOMING IMPORTANT FIXTURES

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

It's not often you will hear me praising the TFF, so make the most of it while you can ! Receiving fixtures so far ahead is ........ a miracle ?!

In particular, Bellshill Kanka Nadeem will be pleased with this information I think ?!

Sunday 17 October - Gencler v Antalya - KO 3.30pm
Sunday 17 October - Galatasaray v Ankaragucu - KO 7pm

Saturday 23 October - Trabzon v Gencler - KO 7pm

Sunday 24 October - Ankaragucu v Bursa - KO 2.30pm

Still waiting for the dates and KO times for the Turkish Cup matches for 26/27 October.

So, get yir diaries out and make a note that Saturday 23 October will also be Nadeem's nite-out with the kankas.

Probable programme to be finalised nearer the time ............ meet in the Old Mariner for a 'swifty' at 4pm and then go across the road to Kebab 49 for an early dinner at about 5pm. Then, into taksis to The Beer Bus Bar to support Gencler.

Any comments ?

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU'S SECRET WEAPON

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu produced their secret weapon last night in the shape of Guven Varol to turn the match around at a vital time with the scores locked at 1-1.

ANKARAGUCU 4 Konyaspor 1

Two goals, which were obviously manufactured on the training ground, from long throw-ins by Guven, the knock-down and the ball despatched to the back of the net, set Ankaragucu on their way to a convincing win.

Also, for those who continually call for Umit Ozak's blood, perhaps they should consider for a moment just who it is who is in charge of the Ankaragucu training sessions. Trying to get 'fanatiks' to think of the big picture and positives is sometimes near impossible !

Anyway, we began our celebrations in The Beer Bus Bar as usual. Oz Kanka Chris and Flying Dutchman Kanka Carlo who had arrived early for the Gencler match (no comment on that match from me !!), Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Hash Harrier Kanka Gokhan and yours truly.

Off we went to the stadium where there was a mini-protest outside by some Ankaragucu 'supporters' against Umit Ozat - enough said about their mentality !

No surprises in the line up -

Ozden
Ugur, Rajnoch, Zewlakow, Klukowski
Guven, Adem, Sapara, Ozgur
Sestak and Metin

2nd half substitutes used - Hurriyet, Weeks and Murat

Ankaragucu took control of the match from the off, but Konya was still looking dangerous on the break. However, the first goal came against the run of play when Konya was awarded a penalty on the half hour mark.

It was at the 'away end' and the penalty box was crowded when a corner was slung over, so we couldn't see what the infringement was. Perhaps Bellshill Kanka Nadeem can comment on that if he saw it on TV ?

The penalty was despatched, and to their credit, Ankaragucu stepped up a gear to find the equaliser. It duly came just on the stroke of half time when the ball was crossed from the right. Metin brought it down, swivelled and half volleyed in for the equaliser. A great strike and a great morale boosting time to score.

Ankaragucu took complete control in the 2nd half and I don't recall Ozden having to make a save.

Then, as I mentioned earlier, from two long throw-ins by Guven on the left into the penalty box on 64 and again on 67 minutes, first Rajnoch and secondly Ozgur put the match beyond Konya and sent the tribunes into song - well, upping the volume I mean !

There was time almost at the final whistle for the impressive Sestak to score number 4 when a defence splitting pass was picked by him and he gave Gokhan in the Konya goal no chance.

Difficult to name my Man of the Match, but if I have to, I will. I mentioned Guven's contribution, but for me the man who makes the team 'tick' is Sapara and he gets the nod.

Back to the Beer Bus then to celebrate and commiserate with our Gencler kankas.

It's International footie next weekend, so time for Ankaragucu to prepare for the trip to Istanbul the following weekend and take on Galatasaray.

After last night's performance, I believe we can go there with optimism and give them a fright. After all, if Karabuk can do it (titter titter titter !!) then what's to stop Ankaragucu ?!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim