ANKARAGUCU'S 2nd HALF WAKE-UP CALL NOT ENOUGH !

Photo from last week prior to Manisa match.   Our much loved Head Waiter in The Chopin Bar, Ismail, having a love-in with Eski Kanka.   We forgive him for supporting Beshiktrash because ....... his 2nd favourite team is ........ Hibernian !!!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

It was all eyes glued to the TV screen today with pictures from the half full Sanliurfa Gap Arena bathed in sunshine and a hundred or so Fanatik Gecikondu Boyz there making their presence felt and …. heard !

Unfortunately, it was not to be Ankaragucu's day !

Sanliurfaspor 3 Ankaragucu 2

Team -

Gokhan, Orhan, Umit, Aytac, Mehmet, Serkan, Mert, Bilal, Gokhan, Hasan and Timur.

The match started at a fast pace and Urfa was looking dangerous. 'Olde Boy', Tonia Tisdell, in particular was showing the skill and pace which he showed last season for Ankaragucu and he was causing all sorts of problems for the Ankaragucu defence.

In the 7^th minute he was put through but only a brave save at his feet prevented a goal. Tonia was adjudged to have left his foot in and was shown a yellow. A harsh decision in my opinion. He is not, and has never been, malicious.

3 minutes later it was Tonia again who nipped in smartish between two Ankaragucu defenders but luckily he skied the ball when it would have been too easy to side foot it in.

Then on the half hour mark Ankaragucu made their only serious attempt on goal in the 1^st half when they scored an offside goal. A cross came into the box from a free kick and a weak header was sent in, but a 2^nd Ankaragucu attacker took a 2^nd header and scored, but he was clearly offside.

5 minutes later and Urfa went in front. A cross came in from the right to No88 lurking unmarked on the left. He headed a great cross into the centre for Kivanc to sort of bundle the the ball in with the defence nowhere ! There was a strong suspicion of offside against Kivanc, but perhaps the linesman on the right wing was suffering from heat exhaustion and didn't have the strength to raise his flag ! Actually, it was bloody obvious that it was offside !!!

5 minutes to the interval and the goal had Urfa playing with even more confidence and giving Ankaragucu the run-around.

Then, in the dying minutes of the half an innocuous looking penalty was awarded to Urfa when an Ankaragucu defender attempting to clear the ball, kicked the leg of an Urfa player who made a meal of going down in agony. The referee obviously didn't think this one through before blowing !

Koray stepped up to take it and struck a poor penalty. However, it was still going in but well saved by Gokhan nevertheless.

Half time and it has to be said that Ankaragucu didn't really threaten. It was an all round lethargic 1^st half performance which handed Urfa the initiative to take control of the match. Perhaps Ankaragucu was pacing themselves because of the heat ?! It was 36C in Ankara today, so God knows what the temperature was down in the South East of Turkey !

Dare I say ….... a game of two halves ??? Anyway, Ankaragucu came out looking hungier and a piece of good luck turned the match around.

5 minutes in and the Urfa goalkeeper made a hash of a clearance straight to Gokhan who strode forward and crossed from the right for Serkan to make a looping header over the stranded goalkeeper and tie things up at 1-1.

Game on I was thinking.

3 minutes later and Captain Mert (the outstanding Ankaragucu player this week and previous weeks) was replaced by Muhammed. Must have been an injury and not tactical.

Ankaragucu had stepped up a gear and not before time ! However, Urfa was still in it. A scary moment occurred on 59 minutes when a cross from the right came in. Gokhan went up for it and dropped the ball at the feet of an Urfa attacker who snatched at it and sent it just past the post. One minute later an inviting pin-point cross came over from Tonia but Kivanc blasted over when all he had to do was touch it in.

Straight from the clearance, Ankaragucu went in front for the first and only time of the match. Gokhan was put through the middle and he coolly stroked the ball into the corner. Cue …. Gecikondu Boyz upped the volume !

Was this the turning point of the match ? Aaaahemmm …..... NO ! 9 minutes later Urfa's equaliser arrived from a great cross from the right and and equally well directed great header which had Gokhan well beaten.

15 minutes to go and all square. However, another stupid piece of defending gave Urfa another penalty. An Urfa break down the right and some nice footwork from Serkan when he slipped the ball around the Ankaragucu defender and was about to round him to chase the ball to the touchline when he was pulled back. A totally unnecessary foul with the ball probably going out !

This time Serdar took it and made no mistake from the spot giving Gokhan no chance.

There was no way back for Ankaragucu now with the team running out of ideas and steam !

Tonia almost made it 4 but Gokhan got down to smother what was a real chance and then at the death, Gokhan made another brave save at the feet of an Urfa attacker after Tonia had put him through.

It would be easy to say that Ankaragucu should have retreated and shut-up-shop after going ahead, but Urfa is not the type of team to give up easily after going behind. They dug deep and kept pressing forward.

Also, I have to say that Timur was a big disappointment up front. He ran around like a headless chicken and was dispossessed too easily all through the match. Perhaps Sinan should be given a start next week with Timur on the bench ?!

So, in summary, I think a draw would have been a fair result, but when you are at the bottom of the league you have to make your own luck, and goal opportunities count. Dubious penalty awards are part and parcel of football and Ankaragucu must shrug this match off and concentrate on winning next Sunday against Kartal for …... THREE points ….... and ….... NADEEM !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

THE PTT LEAGUE - AN OBSERVATION

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

As you know, I hate repeating myself !!!!    However, I have to say again what I said at the end of last season ......... the PTT League is no place for the faint-hearted !

Most of the teams in the league have genuine credentials for aspiring to Super League status, so as I said before, Ankaragucu will have their work cut out to be in a challenging position come the end of the season.

I watched two of the genuine contenders for promotion last night and, as I expected, the football on show was top notch.   Rize beat Samsun 1-0, but it could easily have been the other way around, such was the performance of both teams.    As it was, it took an opportunist strike from one of the many African players of both teams to win the match for Rize.

In another match last night, Erciyes was on fire to hammer top of the league 1461 Trabzon 5-1.    So, things are beginning to 'hot-up' in this league.

So, where does this leave Ankaragucu ?

I'm not suggesting that Ankaragucu should hit the panic button yet, but today's match is crucial to record a first win and start to move out of the bottom zone of the league.   The longer they linger there, the more difficult it will be to find the momentum to escape.

We are still waxing lyrical about last week's performance against Manisa and the key to Ankaragucu's success will be to maintain that type of performance week in and week out.    Anything less will leave Ankaragucu in a perilous position.

So, let's hope for something positive to come out of today's encounter with Urfa.    My report of the match will be up sometime tonight or tomorrow.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

THE TURKISH CUP - ANKARAGUCU LEAVE IT LATE

The following post was nicked from Bellshill Kanka Nadeem's Ankaragucu/Iskocya Blog !

Quote

Ankaragucu were made to work for their place in the next round of the Turkish Cup today. In what should have been a straight forward victory turned out to be a difficult match for the home side. Well done to Jim for also predicting Ankaragucu would win by four goals.

Team : Gokhan, Orhan, Gurkan, Umit, Mehmet, Aytac, Mert, Bilal, Hasan, Serkan, Timur

Subs : Cihan, Golkhan, Sinan, Teoman, Artun, Kaan, Muhammed

So a strong line up for Ankaragucu in what was played in a near empty stadium due to the ridiculous mid day kick off time. The first half there wasn't much to talk about, apart from Timur should possibly have had a penalty awarded. Igdir defended well and managed to contain Ankaragucu who were looking to build on their weekend draw at home to Manisaspor.

Half time 0-0

Into the second half and against all the odds, Igdir took the lead through Halil. Ankaragucu have a habit of struggling against the smaller sides in the cup and it looked like this was going to be another one of those days. That was until the visitors were reduced to ten men after Ugur was sent off.

Igdir continued to hold on to their lead and it looked like they were going to hold out until substitute Sinan Kurumus scored with ten minutes remaining. That took the game to extra time. The fitness and man advantage began to show in Extra time as Sinan grabbed his second of the game to put Ankaragucu 2-1 up.

Goals from brothers Mert and Gokhan Erdogan made it 4-1 before Timur Ozgoz made it 5-1. Ankaragucu now progress to the next round of the cup. Before that they travel to Sanliurfaspor on Sunday afternoon. The game will be shown live on TRT1.

Unquote

I'm sure Yilmaz will not be too worried about making the Group Stage this season either with attaining a high league position the main objective.   However, that said, a good Cup run will do no harm for the players confidence, so another home 'fairly easy' tie in the next round would be acceptable to all.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU - PRIDE RESTORED

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

It was a sight to behold last night and as if Ankaragucu had just won the Turkish Cup.   It wasn't just that Ankaragucu had won their first point of the season, it was the performance of the whole team.   The Stadium applauded as one at the final whistle and demanded a lap of honour with Coach Yilmaz Ozlem leading it.

Quite clearly the best performance by an Ankaragucu team that I've seen since they won the TRT Cup in August 2011.

Ankaragucu  1    Manisaspor   1

A good turn-out of kankas last night as we met in The Chopin Bar.   Maniac Kanka and daughter Guzel Kankie Hazal, Muco Kanka and daughter Anastasiya, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Cider Kanka John and friend Lila from the USA, Yann from France attending his first and last match (he leaves for Paris today) and yours truly.

Like last week in Izmir, the attendance and noise volume would do justice to any Super League match.   Gecikondu was three quarters full and in full voice as usual, Maraton was about half full, Right Kapali was half full and the 'away' end had 15 brave souls !

Ankaragucu started the match tentatively and were lucky not to go one down in the 3rd minute when the Manisa No9 blasted over when it would have been easier to side-foot the ball into the corner.

After that scare, the match settled into a game of cat and mouse with both teams moving the ball around and it was pleasing to see Ankaragucu in attacking mode and making some nice probing moves in the Manisa half and not just their own half as has been the case earlier in the season.

Then on the 16th Minute, just after the customary 'Bursa Song', Ankaragucu almost went ahead.   A cross came in from the left and the header for goal hit the post with Manisa's goalkeeper, Volkan well beaten.

Volkan thwarted a goal bound shot on the 35th minute, but from his clearance Manisa went on a fast breakaway and their striker fired in a great shot which rebounded off the bar (I could hear the 'thud' up in Maraton !).   Unfortunately, the rebound fell into the path of the inrushing Bulent who bundled the ball into the net with himself and the Ankaragucu goalkeeper, Gokhan, following the ball in to land in a heap together.

A sickener, but Ankaragucu responded well by staying in attack mode and the match was being played a a terrific pace.

Then, 2 minutes before half time came the equaliser.   An Ankaragucu attacker crossed the ball from the left, but the inrushing defender, Fuchs, in attempting the tackle made contact with the ball with his hand and the referee pointed to the spot.   We were all up on our feet in anticipation and Mert Erdogan made no mistake, despatching the ball to the right corner for a well taken penalty.

So, honours even at half time and on reflection a fair result.   However, the main talking point among the kankas at half time was the performance of the team.   One of my observations was that Yilmaz has the team well organised at Ankaragucu corners, leaving a few defenders further back to guard against the breakaway. How many goals did Ankaragucu concede from that situation last season ??!!

Into the 2nd half and it was mainly all Ankaragucu.   Shot after shot came in on Volkan but he either pulled off some great saves or the ball went whizzing past or over.   That a goal didn't materialise was down to him and his back four who were the reason Manisa escaped from Ankara with a point !

There were too many near-things in the 2nd half to mention, but the one that stands out was in the dying seconds of the match when a free kick was awarded to Ankaragucu about 25 yards out.   It was a fantastic shot by Bilal over the wall and heading into the goal just under the crossbar but somehow Volkan got his fingertips to it and tipped it over for a corner.   It would have been a candidate for goal of the season if it had gone in !

So, what now ?   Press on up the league is what Yilmaz has called for.   He wants a top 6 finish.   On this performance that's not pie-in-the-sky but a real possibility.   The players can be proud of their performance last night and their confidence should be enough to go to Urfa next Sunday and get a result.    However, firstly there is the Cup match against Igdir on Wednesday which will be played in Ankara and probably in the  afternoon.   Details here when known for sure.

By the way, no disciplinary problems at the match which were observed by us, so Bellshill Kanka Nadeem's visit to Ankara for the Kartal match on 6 October should be a GO-ER.   Remember, we are meeting him in the Beer Station in Tunali on Friday 5 October 7-8 pm and then going to the Beyzade Restaurant.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Gencler get walloped

I'm afraid I completely missed this one. Sounds like a good thing too.

Eskisehirspor 4 - 2 Genclerbirligi

Err? What is happening? Are the wheels already falling off? Gencler were 4-0 down not long after the second half had started.

Only two late goals from Ozgur Ileri and Dejan Lekic gave any sort of decency to the scoreline.

As I said I'm glad I missed it.

ANKARAGUCU - SEARCH IN VAIN CONTINUES

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu is still searching in vain for their first league point in the PTT 1st Division.   That's not to say they have made little effort.   On the contrary, the young Ankaragucu team gave their all and were unlucky last night to encounter a goalkeeper at the top of his game and a referee who needs a refresher course !

Karsiyaka  2               Ankaragucu  0

Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I watched the match in the Red Lion Club in the British Embassy.   The match was played in the compact Alsancak Stadium (home of Altay) in Izmir and amazingly the Stadium was full and in fine voice.   Actually the atmosphere would not have been out of place in the Super League !

Ankaragucu was first to threaten in the 6th minute, when from a corner, Aytac connected with a great shot which brought out an equally great save from Necati.

Then in the 14th minute came the controversial decision from the referee which turned the match.   It was a clear cut case of dangerous play from the Ankaragucu defender who was at an angle of 90 degrees to the attacking player.   It was obvious that he was trying to play the ball and not the man, and as his leg was at a high angle he connected with the player.   There was no intent to play the man !   Therefore the correct decision was an indirect free kick !     Yes yes yes .......... we know that referees make mistakes from time to time, but when an infringement occurs in the Box, they must be careful not to make snap decisions which involve a penalty.

Anyway, up stepped Fatih to despatch a well taken penalty and Ankaragucu was once again looking up a mountain.

I hate to use the cliche ....... it was all end to end ......... but that's what it amounted to.    However, Ankaragucu came out for the 2nd half and took control of the match.

In the 60th minute Ankaragucu had grounds for a penalty, but the referee obviously played advantage, or ........ he was shit scared to award a penalty to the away team !!!     Anyway, from the 'advantage' the shot was saved by Necati.

For the remainder of the match, Karsiyaka had Necati to thank for pulling off some fine saves.   Also, there was some screamers which went just past his post.    Damon and I agreed that Necati was without question, Man of the Match.

Approaching the end of the match and Karsiyaka put the sword in from ........ dare I say it ........ a fast breakaway ..... when Adnan scored the 2nd to wrap the match up.

There is a more detailed report from Bellshill Kanka Nadeem in his blog Ankaragucu Iskocya when he also records Volkan's Red Card near the end for stupidly saying 'something' to the referee.

2-0 is not a true reflection of the 90 minutes.    Ankaragucu came to attack and on any other day could well have left with all 3 points.   However, as we saw last season, when things keep going against you it is difficult to turn the corner.    However, that is exactly what Ankaragucu MUST do next weekend against Manisa to kick-start their season.

We will be there to see the match.   Meeting in The Chopin Bar prior to going to the Stadium.   Details later.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu vs Karsiyaka preview

Ankaragucu will take on Karsiyaka on Saturday night in the Turkish First Division. The game will be played at Karsiyaka and will be shown live on TRT Spor. There is a friendly rivalry between the two clubs and this goes back to when Karsiyaka fans cheered on Ankaragucu in a cup final when the game was played in Izmir. Since then the two clubs have had a healthy friendship.

Ankaragucu go into the game on the back of two defeats in their opening two games. On the opening day of the season Ankaragucu were unlucky to loose at Kayseri Erciyesspor. Timur Ozgoz gave Ankaragucu the lead before being sent off wrongly as replays showed. It was the turning point in the game as the home side went onto win the game. Next up were Adanaspor at home, Ankaragucu held on until the 88th minute as Adanaspor snatched a late winner.

Good news for Ankaragucu is the return of Timur Ozgoz from suspension, as well as Muhammet Turkmen and Mehmet Cogum who both agreed new 1 year contracts with the club. Their experience will be vital for this young Ankaragucu team.

Karsiyaka on the other hand have had a good start to the season. A 1-1 draw at home to Manisaspor, and a good 1-0 win away at Sanliurfaspor. Wilfred Dalmat is a talented French player that Ankaragucu will need to stop, he is the play maker and has the experience to cause problems.

Ankaragucu will need to use the talent in the squad like Hasan Ayaroglu and Bilal Gulden if they want to win this game. Hasan has the pace to cause problems for Kaysiyaka but he needs the service from the midfield and Bilal has the talent to provide.

There will be 1500 Ankaragucu fans travelling for the match, one of the fans made this banner above with Bob Marley in Ankaragucu colours. This was made for the game. Incredible piece of Art. My prediction is a tight 1-1 draw.

ANKARAGUCU HAS A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

With a minus 6 points deduction and two defeats, Ankaragucu's future in the PTT League (Postal, Telephone and Telegraph Organisation) previously known as the Bank Asya League, is looking rather cloudy, to put it mildly.

Last night - Ankaragucu  0     Adanaspor   1

I was still celebrating in the Red Lion Club after Hibs won a point at Celtic Park when the Ankaragucu match kicked off.   Then, I was 'summoned' home by the dragon !!!   So, I didn't see much of the first half.   However, if the 2nd half was anything to go by, I didn't miss much !

From the Ankaragucu line-up it was obvious that the transfer ban had not been lifted, and my God, how it showed.

All credit to the young boys wearing the blue and yellow, but they were no match for the Adana team who should really have had Ankaragucu dead and buried before the end.   That they didn't was down to some 'panic stations' defending and the superb Bayram in goal.

Olde Boy, Metin, playing up front for Adana should have scored on 47 minutes with a free kick, but that was just one of a catalogue of misses by the Adana front line.

Ankaragucu was playing some nice footie at times in their own half, but when they ventured into Adana's half it all went to pieces with the fleet footed Adana players easily dispossessing Ankaragucu and mounting attack after attack.

With the score at 0-0 and with 5 minutes to go, Ankaragucu had a great chance to snatch an unlikely victory but their free kick was well saved by the Adana keeper on the only serious threat he had to deal with during the match.

Then, from the resulting clearance, Adana raced down the left wing in a fast breakaway.   With the Ankaragucu defence caught out and back pedalling, Cem looked up and crossed an inch perfect ball for Nwogbu to toe-poke in for the killer blow.

It was a sickner, but no more than Adana deserved with their domination of the match.

What now ???

Re-group and press on is all Ankaragucu can do.   However, that mountain peak is looking higher every time I look at it !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim