Ankaragucu 1-2 Tuzlaspor!

Ankaragucu finished the season with another hopeless performance and pathetic defeat at Tuzlaspor. In a season that started with hope and minimum expectations of reaching the playoffs, has ended in embarrassment and anger as the team finished in the same position as last season, 9th. Bearing in mind last season we had a transfer ban, had to rely on the youth team, where as this season we signed 12 new players.

Of those players signed only Goksu Alhas can walk away with his head held high, the rest can take their poor attitudes and lack of effort elsewhere. John asked me what went wrong since December where we were sitting 2nd earlier today. We just needed 2-3 extra players to come in and help the team, instead management failed to lift the ban to bring anyone in, they didn't pay players wages and the players threw in the towel. Compare and contrast to Manisaspor whose full team weren't paid wages but went on to win the league today.

Ankaragücü even had Omer Bozan, Salih Sefercik and Adem Saglam walk out on the club due to unpaid wages.

It now looks like the club will either face relegation next season or go bankrupt in the summer. Melih Gokcek, Mehmet Yiginer and the fake free ticket fans have nearly done their job in killing this club. I know Mehmet Yiginer has been lying about some of the things that he says through a couple of former players. Two players I know still haven't been paid money owed when he said the debt had been paid off to said players.

To make matters worse, Ankaragucu start next season with a 5 match stadium ban due to the trouble in VIP section last week. You have your management team to thank for that!!!

Season over and another doom and gloom year for us Ankaragücü fans :-(

Genclerbirligi are still in ninth!

Us Genclerbirligi fans have been spoilt since the beginning of the second half of the season. We have won many matches with style, we have lost a few matches but still played bloody good football. It is a measure of how much we have enjoyed ourselves recently that even though we were the better team, even though we had some good chances, we were all a bit bored with the result.

Genclerbirligi 0 - 0 Basaksehirspor

Another wonderful afternoon and because of the early 1:30pm kickoff we didn't meet up for pre-match drinks. Instead we walked down to Kizilay and caught the Metro to the stadium.

In just in time for the kick-off and a Gencler squad pretty much up to full strength (no Ahmet Calik though) ... and ... well .... er.

At least one of us showed up wearing the right colours.

It was a bit boring really. Basaksehir certainly didn't look like a team coming fourth in the league. They had a lumbering giant up front who could do bugger all and well... they were just rubbish really.

One of their players who at least showed some spark, even if it was the wrong kind of spark, was Emre Belozroglu. Yep. the little annoying bugger is still playing. It took all of about 5 minutes before he was being his whinging self and the Gencler fans of course got stuck in. It didn't matter who committed a foul, the Gencler fans would started shouting "Emre dışarı".

The strange thing about the match was that Basaksehir seemed to be going for the draw from the very start. They were falling over and wasting inordinate amounts of time. The referee didn't do a single thing as the game was held up time and time again. One incident was when an injured player went off the field and, having walked all the way around the field, stood with the medical personnel exactly where Basaksehir were supposed to be taking a throw-in; ie... outside the field of play. The throw-in player waited, as did the referee. It was a full five minutes later, by which time the original time-wasting player had been replaced as had Emre for no obvious reason, before play resumed. Just hopeless.

Match went on and we had a few chances but they were either brilliantly saved by the Basaksehir keeper ... or else he got bloody lucky.

All up... not the best footy, nor the best result... but hey, we can't get brilliance every week.

Ankaragucu fans locked out for first five home matches

Ankaragucu fans have been hit pretty hard by the Turkish Football Federation's disciplinary board for the fights and other goings on that seriously marred last weekend's loss to Amedspor.

The basic penalties are:

For the fighting (in which several Amedspor officials had to be briefly hospitalised), the first two home matches for next year will be held at a neutral ground with no spectators. Then the next two matches at home will be without spectators. On top of that a 25,000 lira fine for the club.

Then, because this is the sixth time this season that the supporters were guilty of "swearing chants", a one match ban on spectators and a fine of 6,000 lira.

Then come the individual bans for Ankaragucu officials İmdat Biçer, Orhan Kılıç and Kemal Çorum who have all been banned from football for 90 days for having "attacked officials from the opposing team". Exactly what the 90-day ban encompasses I'm not sure, but if you have seen the footage of the attacks you would say that they are very lucky with what seems to be very light penalties.

So, it will be some time in November before Ankaragucu fans will be allowed back into the 19 Mayis Stadium...

Speaking of films...

This was the entry in Wikipedia this morning for Leicester City. Click on the picture to enlarge it

Genclerbirligi documentary on the big screen on May 2

Next Monday, May 2, will see the screening of the film "Döğüşenler de Var Bu Havalarda"* a documentary looking at the deep problems that Genclerbirligi faced when it almost disappeared.

The hour-long film will be on at the Buyulu Fener in Kizilay at 5:15pm. A few of us will be going and if you would to join us then you can get tickets at Biletinal or at the cinema itself.

The film will have English subtitles.

The following is from the synopsis of the film

Founded in 1923, Gençlerbirliği is an important part of football in Turkey and urban culture of Ankara. Between 1970-1983 is a period of suffering and devotion. The club’s civil and self-reliant identity for years had brought forlornness in these years of professionalization in the national league. This is a story of a club returning from the edge of amateur league and even closing, of players discrediting money, of administrators begging money and of supporters taking the team to the away games with their own cars. Looking back from today, it’s a surreal world. These true heroes are worth of Ahmed Arif’s Ankara and they are now resisting against being forgotten in the dusty pages of history.

*Exactly what the translation of the film's name should be is something which none of us have figured out. Spine went for something like "Some still struggle in these times." I suggested "Those fighting in the dark times." On the Facebook page it says "There the Ones, Fighting in This Blues". Doesn't matter. Just go and see the film!

ANKARAGUCU AND ...... BYE BYE PLAY-OFFS!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

With only one match left, I've looked at the play-off situation and it is still mathematically possible for Ankaragucu to do it, BUT .......... it would take a minor miracle !

What would need to happen is this -

1.   Inegol to lose away to Eyup.
2.   Gumushane to lose away to Ankara Demirspor.
3.   Aydin to draw with Amedspor.
4.   Ankaragucu to win with lottsa goals (don't know exactly how many !) away to Tuzla.

Either Manisa or Kocaeli will be Champions with Manisa 2 points ahead and favourites.

Tuzla and Keciorengucu have qualified for the play-offs, so it leaves the 5 teams I've mentioned fighting it out for the last play-off position, ie, Inegol, Aydin, Gumushane, Amedspor and, dare I say it ............. Ankaragucu !

So, like I said in my previous report, let's get used to the idea of a 3rd year in the 2nd Division.

Also, Ankaragucu's chances of challenging next season look slim with more 'leaves likely to fall off the tree' - Hasan, Goksu and Enes to name but 3.   That will leave cast-offs from other teams and youth players to keep the team afloat.

Not an encouraging thought to take into the Summer and prepare for next season !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Too easy for Gencler

No need for a long report tonight. Gencler won it easily. We outclassed Antep from the start to the finish.

Gaziantepspor 1 - 3 Genclerbirligi

Yet another bloody Monday night match saw me and Spine and Inbred Kanka meet up at the Fake Pub. We asked for the sound on our telly to be put up a bit, so we got some commentary, but as the night wore on volume of the background middle-of-the-road rubbish increased and by about half-time we had no idea what was going on.

Luckily, we didn't need the commentary. All we knew was that Gencler was back to full strength and we were yet again playing great football. I may be starting to sound like a broken record on this.... Gencler are playing great football. Campos... Wow. Ahmet Calik may well be the most improved player in the league this season. Irfan... again just wow!

This is a great team to watch. Everyone is pulling their weight. It is just something I havn't really seen since the glory days of the early 2000s.

We went ahead fairly early on when a wonderful ball was sent ahead of Campos on the right wing. He hardly even looked to where he was putting it but El Kabir positioned himslf perfectly. Header. In. Goal.

We controlled everything but it wasn't until the 60th when we got the second. Irfan took a free kick out on the right. El Kabir close to the line headed it down to where Selcuk Sahin had a shot from a few metres out... ball hit the keeper, then the side post and GOOOOAAALLLL!

I have no idea what happened next but Gaziantep scored. Was this to be a repeat of the first half of the season when we gave up a two-nil lead only to bugger up.... NO!!!!

Unlike towards the end of last year, Gencler nowadays actually continue to try. We aren't sitting on leads like we used to. If anything Ibrahim Uzelmez has brought to the team it is this.

So... the attacks continued... until towards the end. Irfan took a corner. I think Selcuk headed it and Stancu got it... in and goal.

Good night!

AS PREDICTED, ANKARAGUCU FAIL TO DELIVER !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies,

Yet another defeat and yet another season in the 2nd Division !    However, Ankaragucu should have put this match out of reach within 30 minutes when they had total control and countless opportunities to do so.   The fact that they didn’t gave Diyarbakir the impetus to come out in the 2nd half and show Ankaragucu how it should be done !  

The other point worthy of note is that Ankaragucu started with an attacking line-up of Emrah, Enes and Timur but had to rely on a midfielder to score their only goal !

ANKARAGUCU   1      Diyarbakir Amedspor   2

The kankas met-up in the Sports Cafe and Stadium – Gencler Kanka Alex, Patrick (attending his 2nd Ankaragucu match), Cider Kanka John, Posh Kanka Ahmet, Apple Kanka Erman, Scouse Kanka Marcus and his friend Felix.   We also welcomed Oktay Eldem (a friend of Ahmet’s) who is Head of Bursaspor Fans in Ankara.

Lots of Turkish flags in the stadium and
 lots of anti Diyarbakir and PKK chanting!!!!

The Stadium was full for this, the last home match and, of course, it goes without saying that the away end was empty !    There were Turkish flags (huge, medium size and small) everywhere and as soon as the Diyarbakir players emerged from the tunnel the anti-PKK chants began.   Hatred was in the air and I could feel it

On to the footie and Ankaragucu were ‘quick out the traps’ with an avalanche of attacks from the kick-off.   From a corner in the 1st minute the Diyarbakir goalkeeper was brought into action with a good save, followed a minute later by another from Emrah who should have scored instead of dithering and scuffing his shot.

Ankaragucu did score in the 4th minute but it was rightly chalked-off for offside.

One minute later Timur had another great chance but be was too slow and his shot was blocked.

Then in the 6th minute came the highlight of the day when Maraton performed a confetti display, most of which was blown onto the pitch !

Eventually, Ankaragucu’s constant pressure padi off in the 13th minute when Hasan collected a ball just outside the penalty box on the left and sent in a bullet of a shot which the goalkeeper didn’t sniff.   Goal of the match !

Wearing GREEN at the stadium
especially for Billy Crawford Yesssss!!!!

Ankaragucu continued to press forward and should have scored 5 minutes later after a sweeping move down the left, but the eventual shot was saved.   Then, approaching the half hour martk, Goksu went on one of his mazy runs down the right and into the penalty box, but his final shot was weak and easily saved.

Shortly after that, Ankaragucu almost paid the price of sloppy defending with Diyarbakir’s first serious attack when the 18 year old Ankaragucu debutant goalkeeper and Gurkhan left the ball for each other and a Diyarbakir attacker wasn’t quite quick enough to take advantage of the mix-up.

Still it was all Ankaragucu and again they should have increased their lead in the 32nd minute when Emrah fed the ball to Timur but he shot over when not under any pressure.

So, it was disappointing going in only one up at half time after totally dominating the match, however, attacking the Gecikondu end in the 2nd half we were still hopeful of seeing the 2nd goal.

The match had barely resumed when all Hell broke loose at the Gecikondu End with firecrackers and missiles (lighters and water bottles) being thrown down (probably at the Diyarbakir substitutes stupidly warming-up there).   More anti-PKK shouting and then the Riot Police were brought into action which incensed Gecikondu and caused even more missiles to be thrown.   Emrah sprinted towards the problem area and pleaded with the Police to withdraw, which they eventually did and the match resumed after this 6 minutes interruption.   I should also add that at the same time there was an attack on the Diyarbakir contingent in Protokol which I didn’t see because my attention was focused on Gecikondu.

We can expect a lengthy Stadium Ban at the beginning of next season for all the problems today !!!!

At this stage of the match is was still mostly Ankaragucu searching for that 2nd goal and Enes had two chances but both saved.

Then the match turned upside-down in the 66th minute with Diyarbakir seizing the inituative.   Gurhan was not having a happy time of it, and for a reason only he knows, he used his hand to deal with a cross intstead of his head !   The penalty was despatched clinically and Diyarbakir, sensing a victory, upped their game and began to dominate proceedings.

20 minutes remaining and Hasan was replaced by Sertan, then a few minutes later Emrah was replaced by Mustafa.   Diyarbakir was in full attacking mode now and the young Ankaragucu goalkeeper was being brought into the action to make crucial saves.    Teoman came on (which I didn’t see happening), but as usual he contributed little.

Then with only 5 minutes remaining, Gurhan made another faux pas.   A long ball was played to a Diyarbakir atacker but Gurkan had it covered, or so I thought.   He then allowed himself to be muscled out and disposessed.   The Diyarbakir attacker then made a cut-back to another forward and he shot into the corner with no cover for the helpless goalkeeper.

The atmosphere around the Stadium changed dramatically, but there was still time for Timur to equalise, but the Diyarbakir goalkeeper made a great save from his goalbound effort.

Into time added on and time for a ‘supporter’ to try a pitch invasion waving the Turkish flag, but he was apprehended easily due to the fact that he couldn’t run – he looked about 90 !!!

Then just before the final whistle a confrontation between 2 opposing players and .............. yessssssssssss ............ another excuse for throwing firecrackers and missiles, but it was soon brought under control and then the final whistle !

Not content to leave the Stadium peacefully as we should after so many disppointments (we’ve had lots in the last 4 years to deal with !) it was left to Gecikondu to start bad mouthing the Police and breaking and throwing chairs and missiles again !!

That lasted for about 10 minutes before they finally left the Stadium.   Wisely, the Police didn’t go into Gecikondu !

So, when it was safe, we beat a retreat to The Bigos Restaurant and Pub on Tunus Caddesi for some food and ........... Effffesssss yessssssssssss !

At this point I received a What’s App message from Maniac Kanka Harun, and I quote ...... ‘Fckn bastards players’ unquote !!!    I think he was trying to sum up the frustrations of most of us !

So, what now ?   I haven’t bothered to look at the league table yet, because as far as I’m concerned, Ankaragucu is jsut not good enough for the Play-Offs, farless for the PTT League.   I’ll look at the Maths of the situation and report later and prior to the last match away to Tuzluspor next weekend.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

(More) vague hopes for Ankaragücü...

This week, Oz Kanka, Spine and myself (Cider Kanka) went to see an extremely professional, very funny and even occasionally touching hour-long documentary film on Gençlerbirliği's years out of the top flight of Turkish football in the 1970s and early 80s.

Like Ankaragücü today, Gençler were plagued by financial crisis—at one point the players even depended on the charity of local shop owners to even get fed at night. They dropped down to the third league, and towards the end, even found themselves relegated from that, though the military saved the day and possibly the club by choosing to merge the top amateur league with the third league that season.

The film was narrated by some real characters from those years: fans, players, and the club's then-director who emerged as one of the heroes of the film. They were all in the audience, and their emotional reaction to the retelling could be seen on their faces.

There was only film footage from the final match in which Gençler got promoted back to the Süper Lig. All the Ankaragücü fans turned out as well to support football in the city, and there was not a seat left empty in the 19 Mayıs!

From an Ankaragücü perspective, the message is also clear: keep up the fight, and even if it takes 12 years, we can take our club back to where it belongs in the Süper Lig (and European competitions!)

On the way back, we were sad to note that the Chopin appears to have been one of the victims of the miniature recession that has hit Kızılay since the February bombing. It is no more. Eski Kanka may have to get used to Tuborg from now on :(

ANKARAGUCU - THE CLOCK IS TICKING !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

While Genclerbirligi's inconsistent season is almost completed and they settle for CavCav's preferred league position of 8th, the same can't be said for Ankaragucu's disastrous season of misfiring and numerous chances of securing promotion.

As Bellshill Kanka Nadeem has said many times this season, this was Ankaragucu's best chance of making it into the PTT League with so many 'average' teams in the league.   At one stage, Manisa seemed to have left the field behind, but they suffered a few surprise reverses and Kocaeli has suddenly put them under pressure and it will be interesting to see which one wins the league.   At present the situation is that they are equal on 60 points each.

Back to Ankaragucu and their pathetic attempt to make the play-offs !

With 2 matches remaining, Ankaragucu have 46 points and lie in 7th position.

Above them are Gumushane in 5th position and Aydin in 6th position, both on 47 points.

Below them are Inegol on 46 points and Diyarbakir on 44 points.

So, the bottom line is ............ nothing less than a win against Diyarbakir on Sunday will suffice.   Even if Ankaragucu do win, then their play-off chances will hinge on the last away match against Tuzlaspor who lie in 3rd position on 53 points.

Of course, it goes without saying that it may require other teams to lose to enable Ankaragucu to make the play-offs.

However, and it's a big 'however', even if Ankaragucu do make the play-offs, and even if by some miracle they beat the White Group winners, the burning question is ............. how will they survive in the PTT League ??!!

I have watched 2 recent PTT League matches - the top of the league clash, Adanaspor v Adana Demirspor, and the bottom of the league struggle - Denizli v Karsiyaka, and from what I've seen, the present Ankaragucu squad would be overwhelmed by all 4 of those teams.

So, the bottom line again is ........... what's the point of trying for promotion until Ankaragucu's financial problems are solved and transfer ban lifted.   There are no financial benefactors in sight and the villains responsible for Ankaragucu's plight have not been taken to task and brought to justice.

It pains me to say it, but I'm hoping Ankaragucu don't make the play-offs and promotion to avoid the humiliation of coming straight back down again with a record lowest ever points total !

Watch this space for the outcome as the season runs down to an unsatisfactory end !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim ............ the realist !!!

Genclerbirligi climb to 9th place

It was a tired and forlorn Trabzonspor that took to the field in Ankara last night. Genclerbirligi took no pity on them.

Genclerbirligi 3 - 1 Trabzonspor

At the Soul Pub downtown Alex and me were joined by Kevin for his first footballing experience in Turkey. And what a match he got, four goals and a big win for the home side.

A few beers and some grub and then off to a relatively empty 19 Mayis. We struggle to get fans to games and putting matches on a Monday night just makes it even harder.

We were whining about this when Irfan took a corner about 40 seconds in... and goalllll! It was Palitsevich with a wonderful header. That was quick.

Already one-nil up and I still hadn't even figured out who was in our team. Hopf was out with an injury. Hleb was on the bench recovering from one (he came on for the last 20 minutes or so). Our captain Ahmet Calik and key defender Kulusic were also both out (I think it was due to cards).

It may have been a weaker team on paper but it certainly didn't look like it on the pitch. Trabzon didn't manage a shot on goal in the first half due to some excellent organised defensive lines from Gencler... and on the counter attack we looked extremely dangerous.

After quite a few attacks and some nice footy all round, Hakan Aslantas sent an across field pass to the right wing, a short pass to Campos who turned quickly into the box centred it and Stancu blasted it in from a couple of metres out. Nice.

Things were all going swimmingly and got even better early in the second half when Landel got onto the end of a through ball. He couldn't control it properly though and it looked like he had wasted a good chance to have shot from not far out. Then came along former Gencler defender Aykut Demir who took out the stick-thin Landel. The referee pointed to the spot and gave Demir a yellow. Irfan stood up, had the shot and goal.

It was about this stage that Trabzon decided to actually play some football and we got about 10 minutes of them trying. It resulted in a goal for them but the rest of the match was all ours.

A win against one of the Big Four is always good... to totally dominate them and get the win is even better.

POST MATCH: Along with all the usual stuff, Gencler coach Ibrahim Üzülmez said that he wants to continue at Gencler and that he will sit down with Cavcav to sort things out at the end of the season.

Ankaragucu 0-3 Kocaeli Birlikspor

Ankaragucu kept up their consistency yesterday with another woeful performance at Kocaeli Birlikspor. Its not even worth going into this report in detail.

All that can be said is that the performance was typical of how we have played all season and a bit worse as even the defence was a shambles.

Only a couple of games of the season left now, cant come quick enough and it potentially could be the last 2 games the club ever play due to the financial circumstances and Melih Gokcek getting his way in his bid to kill of one of Turkeys oldest and most important clubs!!!!!

Besiktas have a new stadium!

On Sunday, Besiktas' new UK Mobile Phone Company Arena was opened with an official ceremony at which our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the man of honour... Lots of dignitaries were there... but actual football fans were banned.

Erdogan kicks a ball.

The new stadium looks great and it increases the capacity of what used to be known as the Inonu Stadium from 32,000 to 43,000. If you are annoyed at the name change, don't be: The stadium at the site has in the past been known as the Dolmabahce Stadium and then Mihatpasa Stadium. Selling out to a UK phone company is probably a progressive move after the name "Inonu",

Anyway... It has been a few years in the re-making, during which Besiktas played a stint at the Stadium From Hell, but finally the team got to play at their refurbished home.

This was the fans experience before the match.

Vodafone Arena açılışındaki plastik mermi/tazyikli su/biber gazlı müdahale görüntüleri tartışılıyor. 📹: Hakan Tosunhttps://t.co/LFGccsF9AH

— 140journos (@140journos) April 11, 2016

Vodafone Arena'da bugün yapılan Beşiktaş-Bursaspor maçı öncesi polisin biber gazı müdahalesi görüntüleri paylaşıldı. pic.twitter.com/kxZ5Ct9php

— 140journos (@140journos) April 11, 2016

FUN FACT !!!!

Did you know that the first ever stadium rock concert in Turkey was held at the Inonu Stadium on July 28, 1992. It was a night that Istanbul is still talking about... especially the controversial bit when reknowned Canadian rocker Byran Adams bit the head off a small rodent.

ANKARAGUCU FLATTER TO DECEIVE WITH A 3 NIL SCORELINE !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies, but Ankaragucu will not meet many teams as generous as Ankara Demirspor in what’s left of this season.   However, they did what was necessary to stay in the hunt for a play-off place and we can ask no more that that.   Also, with new financial problems arising, the players are playing without a salary at the moment.   Although, how long that situation continues remains to be seen !

I like Scouse Kanka’s tongue in cheek quote on the subject ...... ‘if they are going to play like this and win 3-0, then we should perhaps stop paying them permanently’ !!!    Nice one Marcus !

ANKARAGUCU    3          Ankara Demirspor    0

The kankas met-up in the Sports Cafe and the Stadium.   Posh Kanka Ahmet, Scouse Kanka Marcus, Apple Kanka Erman and Battle Damaged Damon who was welcomed back after an absence due to illness.   Also, Posh Kanka introduced us to famous Trabzon author and supporter of Ankaragucu, Harun Celik.

Bir Yozgatlı, bir Trabzonlu, bir Edinburghlu, bir Liverpoollu
 ve bir New Yorklu Ankaragücü maçında buluştuk. 

Surprisingly, after some poor recent results, there was a large turnout in Gecikondu, Maraton and Sol Kapali.   I counted 30 in the away end !

The first half was probably the most boring match I’ve had the misfortune to watch and the most exciting moment happened in the 28^th minute when play was stopped for a ‘water break’ !! 

On a serious note, it took until the 40^th minute for the first real action to materialise when the pass of the match was made by Omer in the left back position to Goksu way out on the right wing.   He evaded a tackle and cut the ball back to Harun whose attempt at a ‘placed shot/lob’ was just over.

Approaching the half time whistle and at this point I made the disparaging remark to the kankas that we were heading for yet another 0-0 boring draw.   However, Emrah made me eat my words when he finished off a slick passing movement in the penalty box.   The fact that all 3 passes were to Blue and Yellow shirts and that this was the first in 45 minutes was a minor miracle !!!

The first 20 minutes of the 2^nd half were a continuation of the 1^st half, ie, boring.   Well, apart from a mix-up in the Ankaragucu penalty box by THREE defenders 4 minutes in when Demirspor had their only real chance to equalise, but with the goal at his mercy, the attacker shot weakly past the post.

Then the match exploded into life in the 63^rd minute with the arrival of Enes to replace lightweight and ineffective Mustafa, and he almost scored after 2 minutes when his pace was too much for a defender, but his cut-back and shot was deflected for a corner.

From the resulting corner, the ball was passed to Timur who’s shot hit the post, but fortunately rebounded back to him and he made no mistake with his 2^nd attempt.

10 minutes to go and it should have been 3 when Enes went on a great run down the right wing and cut the ball back for the unmarked Orhan only 5 yards from the goal-line.   However, with the goal at his mercy he sent the ball skyward and out !

A few minutes later Emrah was replaced by Hasan Ayaroglu and for the 2^nd time in the match the substitution proved to be a master stroke.

5 minutes to go and Ankaragucu’s star player, Goksu, went off injured to be replaced by Sertan.   Hopefully his injury is minor.

2 minutes to go and the goal of the match.   A well worked free kick on the right gave Hasan the opportunity to fire in an unstoppable shot into the left corner with the goalkeeper well beaten.

So, like I said before, a win is a win, and at this stage in the season the 3 points are invaluable, but with an away match next week against new league leaders, Kocaeli, they will have to up their game.   For starters, I recommend going back to basics on the training pitch this week with passing practice !!!

So to the highlight of the day.   A trip to Scouse Kanka’s flat for Thai yummy food and .............. even yummier Efes !!   We had a surprise visit from Kaleci Kanka Tansu and we even sampled some of Scouse Kanka’s Laphroaig Select Cask yessssssssssss.   Thanks for your excellent hospitality Marcus !

Sorry to say that I’m still pessimistic about Ankaragucu’s chances of making the play-offs.   Even if the do make it, I shudder to think what the winner of the White Group play-offs could do to Ankaragucu !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Still aiming for ninth

A good away win yesterday was just what the doctor ordered after the last few weeks. Two goals for Campos and one for Stancu.  

Mersin Idmanyurduspor 1 - 3 Genclerbirligi

A lovely sunny spring day. Spine, Alex and me met down at the Red Lion and with the luxury of having the club all to ourselves we sat back and enjoyed a good game of football.

It was good to see Hakan Aslantas back in the starting line up for Gencler and it was Stone Lion (is that the translation?) who almost had us one-nil ahead with a brilliant ball through to El Kabir on goal... who then failed to do anything with it.

Didn't matter as a minute later Mr. Lion was at it again. Got past a player, sent a wonderful ball through to Campos who neatly passed it to his left and slightly backwards to a charging Stancu. Goaalllll!!!! (El Kabir had drawn two defenders thus leaving Stancu free).

We were looking good and then our keeper Hopf went down at full stretch in the box, missed the ball but took out a Mersin attacker. A clear penalty and a possible direct red. Referee didn't see it. Mmmmm.

Second half and Landel intercepted a pass, immediately saw that Campos could get free and passed an absolutely brilliant through ball to Campos. One on one with the keeper, always a bit scary, he slotted it home.

The third goal was a bit weird. We had the ball at the edge of the box and no-one was doing anything. The defenders weren't attacking the ball and Selcuk Sahin merely seemed to lob the ball into the arm of a defender??? Trying to get a penalty??? It bounced off the defender and Campos found it easy. Bang in front and in.

The game was over by that stage but Mersin was able to score a late consolation goal.

A good match, a good win, and all done without Ibrahim Uzelmez wearing his lucky Michelin tyres jacket.

PLAYING WITH THE WORD …... ‘IF’ !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

This would have been unthinkable in the ‘good olde days’ when Ankaragucu was in the Top 5 of the Super League and playing against the likes of Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Cup, but let’s try and get our head around this ...........

IF Ankaragucu make it into the Play-Offs this season, and IF they don’t win the Play-Offs then they will be in the 2^nd League for a 3^rd consecutive season.

IF Keciorengucu don’t win the Play-Offs then they will be in the 2^nd League for a 2^nd consecutive season.

IF Ankara Demirspor don’t get relegated then they will be in the 2^nd League for a 2^nd consecutive season.

Etimesgut BBS has just been promoted from the 3^rd League having won their group.

So, using my amazing mathematical brain that makes SIX Ankara derby matches next season IF it all pans out as looks likely.

This must surely be a first for Ankara me thinks ??!!

All the best from nostalgic Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu 1-1 Manisaspor

It was a hard fought and respectable performance from Ankaragucu yesterday in Manisa, but it was the same problems the team has faced all season that saw us miss out on all 3 points. Before we look at the match itself, its worth pointing out that yet again the Ankaragucu fans were treated like terrorists by the Manisa management and police.

The Manisa management decided to price the home fans tickets at 5 TL while Ankaragucu fans had to pay 50 TL. How this can be even legal is beyond beleif. Then when Ankaragucu fans got to the stadium many were locked out and all of them had to be breathalised before entering. Is this really how to treat fans who have made the journey from the capital?

Anyway onto the game itself, the match was shown live on Manisa ETV, again questions must be asked. Why does Manisa have a live TV chanel and Turkeys largest club from the capital doesnt? Also every city in Turkey seems to be getting a new stadium apart from Ankara?

Team - Ferhat, Goksu, Gurkan, Volkan, Onur, Salih, Harun, Muhammed, Orhan, Omer Emrah

The first half was a bit of a bore fest but Ankaragucu have as good as they got, Bahuttin Kose looked very lively for Manisa up front, where as Emrah struggled for Ankaragucu at the other end. Emrah was playing as the lone front man, and for me it doesnt work. A lone front man needs pace and power, Emrah had neither and snatched at all the chances that came his way.

I have had to watch Ankaragucu on Periscope all season and its been awful to watch the style of football we play, lack of creativity and passion. Yesterday the passion was there and this team showed they are more than capable of going up via the playoffs. The problem is that they dont turn up every week.

Special mention must go to Muhammed Gonulacar, he was fantastic and covered the full pitch winning the ball and driving the team forward. Goksu Alhas and Volkan Geyik also had good games.

Manisa were awarded a penalty just before half time but Ferhat came to the rescue with a good save to keep the score level.

Into the second half and Ankaragucu stepped up their game, playing some good football but again Emrah couldnt find his shooting boots.

Ankaragucu did take the lead early into the 2nd half through Onur Atasayer who headed the ball past former Ankaragucu keeper Bayram Olgun. It looked like Ankaragucu would take all 3 points until Manisa were awarded a free kick in the 87th minute. Up stepped Bahuttin Kose who curled the ball into top corner to make it 1-1.

So disappointment again as Ankaragucu drop out of playoff places to 6th. However their were signs of encouragement and if the team can repeat these levels then maybe, just maybe.

Played well, last minute loss. Heard that before?

Is it back to the bad old days? The answer is yes if you believe Yurtspor. They started reporting late Saturday night that Ibrahim Uzelmez has lost his job as coach of Gencler. A number of people that we know who are close to club reported the opposite. Nothing as of yet on the website, but then it is only midday on Sunday and Turkish breakfasts must first be completed.

Genclerbirligi 0 - 1 Konyaspor

A good performance by Gencler saw them lose in the final minute. We had a few shots saved but in the end we weren't able to convert massive possessional advantage into goals. That about sums it up.

Other points of interest. The recent bomb blasts in Ankara and Istanbul kept the number of Gencler fans well down, despite it being a beautiful Spring day. Konyaspor, however, had maybe a thousand fans... proper fans who came in a bus convoy for the day trip. Police numbers were also up. In addition to the normal private security people I'd say there were about 500 police officers inside the stadium, and lots of others outside.

The referee was hopeless when it came to his failure to punish Konya players for clear yellow and red card offences they committed against Landel. He was being fouled left, right and centre ... and from behind... and no cards were ever handed out. Landel had a great game, coming on in the second half for Skulason.

Hleb had to go off early in the first half. Hope it isn't serious.

The win for Konya puts them into third position and on course for a European spot.

The authorities forbade the Gencler fans from bringing in remembrance banner for the death of Elvin Bugra Arslan, the Gencler fan who was killed in the Ankara bomb blast three weeks ago. No comment.

EDIT: Breakfast has finished and Cavcav has announced that Uzelmez hasn't been sacked.