Time to clock off. Everyone go home*

Sunday was much too cold to go to the stadium for this fair weather fan. I watched the match at the Alerta Pub instead.

Genclerbirligi 1 - 1 Osmanlispor  

This is a difficult review because I'm still not even sure who half of our players are. We seem to have made so many transfers in the past few weeks. The only name I recognised was Murat Dururer. Last time I had heard of him was a few years ago when he was playing for Ankaragucu.

The last post was played in honour of long-serving Gencler Chairman Ilhan Cavcav who died last week, a minute's silence was respectfully observed and giant posters of the man were placed around the stadium. End of an era.  

Kick-off and the Ottomans came out pressing but it was to Rantie that the first chance fell and he should have put it away. Five minutes in and he was given a through ball. He was at the edge of the box slightly to the right of the posts, looked up and saw the keeper coming at him, then meekly sent it bobbling off a mile away from the goal. Much groaning!

Not too much later Serdar (the man is fast becoming a legend) had a volley at goal from the edge only to be denied by a brilliant save from their keeper.

All a bit silly after that and some real heart in mouth (translation: rubbish) defending from us.

Almost at half time and Rantie had the ball near the box, tried to get past his man and was tripped up just inside the box. Penalty. Up stepped Serdar and GOOOAAALLLLL


Unlike a few years ago Gencler continued to go forward in the second half but at the same time we played some pretty rubbish football. We really miss Ahmet Calik at the back. Osmanlispor finally scored after one player was given way too much time on the ball.

Both teams had chances to go ahead but in the end we were both rubbish.

With so many new players in the team I think it may be too early to judge how Umit Ozat is doing in the coaching role. Just gotta sit back and wait.

* The Gencler fans' chant at end of the match to the Osmanlispor "fans", the vast majority of whom are paid by the municipality to attend matches. 

Karsiyaka 0-2 Ankaragucu match report!

As Damon said earlier on our Whattsap group, what a difference a week makes. A fantastic 2-0 win for Ankaragucu today in Izmir and an excellent performance to go with it.

Team - Korcan Celikay, Serkan Balci, Sezgin Coskun, Alihan Kubalas, Emre Kara, Emre Sahin, Omer Bozan, Ferhat Culcuoglu, Harun Aydin, Muharrem Ozan, Erhan Senturk

Subs - Emre Koyuncu, Mehmet Tasci, Muhammed Gonulacar, Onur Bayramoglu, Orhan Gulle, Kenan Özer, Enes Kubat

There were debuts today for Korcan Celikay in goal and Kenan Özer who came on as a late substitute. Serkan Balci also picked up and injury in the first half so we will need to await the outcome of that. Omer Bozan also returned to the team and again showed how vital he is to our title hopes.

I woke up just as the match was kicking off and managed to watch the game on Facebook thanks to Baskent Medya. The game was played at the giant Izmir Ataturk stadium, there were about 4,000 in attendance 2,000 being Ankaragucu fans while the stadium holds 51.000.

Due to the running track around the pitch it was difficult to make out detail on the strips. For the first half an hour I thought Ankaragucu were playing in white. I was huffing and effing at how bad we were playing. That was until Muharrem Ozan scored in the 30th minute and the Ankaragucu fans started cheering and singing. I then realised we were playing in Navy blue lol.

That changed my mood as Ankaragucu had been dominant, Karsiyaka hadnt even managed to get out of their own half and Erhan Erenturk made 3 good saves to keep them in the game until Muharrem headed past him to make it 1-0.

Ankaragucu continued to dominate in the 2nd half but took until the 90th minute to score their second. A brilliant goal from Omer Bozan made it 2-0 to send the travelling Ankaragucu home happy.

Gumushanespor won 1-0 against Bugsasspor while Menemen lost 3-2 at Tokatspor so overall a pretty good result for Ankaragucu.

I'm meeting up with Jim tomorrow in Glasgow so no doubt we will have a good chat and celebrate a good win for Ankaragucu!!

CHRISTMAS ARRIVES LATE IN ANKARA !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu gave their Christmas present to Kirklarelispor in the form of 2 points yesterday obviously thinking that this was December and forgetting it was January !!!

As well all know too well, possession counts for nothing if you are firing blanks.   Little did we realise that the euphoria at half time going in at 1-0 up and shooting into the Gecikondu end in the 2^nd half was not to last.

However, before you all hold your heads in your hands and say ............. ‘oh no, he’s not going to say it was a game of two halves again’ ................ relax !    It most definitely wasn’t !

ANKARAGUCU  1        Kirklarelispor      1

It was a sunny, but bitterly cold day in Ankara yesterday when we all met-up at the Sports Cafe and inside the Stadium.    Maniac Kanka Harun, Posh Kanka Ahmet, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and Cider Kanka John.    Also, new kankas attending their first Ankaragucu match – Lessstirrr Kanka John and 2^nd Chans Kanka William (shhhh ....... whisper it ......... William WAS a Galata....spit....saray supporter in a previous lifetime !!!).

Gecikondu and Maraton were almost full and the away end had about 50 fans decked-out in my favourite colour of HIBERNIAN GREEN and waving their large flags.

A total and respectful one minute silence was observed prior to the National Anthem for the passing away of long serving Genclerbirligi President Ilhan Cavcav before the action began.

It was pretty much end-to-end stuff with no serious efforts on goal until the 25^th minute when Ankaragucu had a golden opportunity to break the stalemate.   However, with the goal at his mercy, Erhan screwed the ball wide.

It took a piece of determination and skill by Harun to bring the match to life in the 33^rd minute when he chased a ‘lost cause’ to the right touch line, brought the ball under control, and sent in an inch perfect cross for Muharrem to tap-in.    Harun was ably assisted by Serkan in the build up and I made Serkan my Man of the Match for his marauding down the right and causing all sorts of problems to the Kirklareli defence.    Unfortunately, there were no takers for all his good work !

Approaching half time and Kirklareli had a chance to equalise, but the Ankaragucu goalkeeper recently signed from Sivasspor was equal to the goalbound strike.

Then, just before the half time whistle, a scuffed shot by and Ankaragucu player (couldn’t see who the culprit was !) with an open goal beckoning was easily cleared, which was a sign of things to come in the 2^nd half.

I repeat .............. this was NOT ‘a game of 2 halves’ with Ankaragucu having most of the possession, but their passing and attempted shots on goal was abysmal !

It only took Kirklareli 10 minutes to equalise when they scored from a well taken corner on the left and an undefended attacker headed in powerfully to give the goalkeeper no chance.

Ankaragucu huffed and puffed and attacked, but they could have played all night and they couldn’t have burst a balloon.   Well, maybe until the last minute when they almost got ‘out of jail’ when a shot hit the post and was cleared.

In summary, a terrible performance against a team which is going nowhere, except perhaps ..... down.

Lots of pessimism abounding, especially as Ankaragucu travel to ‘brother team’ Karsiyaka next weekend and I doubt if there will be any ‘brotherly love’ shown by their team who are also ‘knocking on the door’ and in the mix for promotion.

I feel a lot better today having got my ‘Oz Kanka Rant’ off my chest.    I’ve always tried to modify my language in my reports, but it was extremely difficult today !!!    However, I’ll leave it to Nadeem and Harun  to use their choice adjectives in the comments section !!!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Genclerbirligi Chairman Ilhan Cavcav dead at 81

No football report today as the Gaziantep v Genclerbirligi match was postponed after news came in that Ilhan Cavcav had died on Sunday morning.

Cavcav was hospitalised a few days ago and went into a coma after falling and suffering from a brain hemorrhage. 

Your correspondent with Ilhan Cavcav in 2010. 

Ilhan is Turkey's longest serving football club chairman having started way back in 1978.  

This blog has written many things about Ilhan Cavcav, not all of them positive, but we would like to send Cavcav's family and friends out deepest condolances.

Ankaragucu vs Kirklarelispor match preview!

Before we look ahead to this weekends match, we can confirm Ankaragucu have completed the signings of Sivasspor duo Cagatay Ceken and Korcan Celikay. We would like to welcome both players to the club and hope they can help the team to promotion.

As Jim pointed out, Mehmet Yiginer has also stated we will sign another Striker and a Midfielder before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. After losing Onur Atasayer to Bursaspor there was understandably a growing concern from the Ankaragucu fans. Fair play to Mehmet Yiginer and the management team who have brought in 4 new additions who all look like they will boost the squad and have a big part to play.

Ankaragucu are back at home for the first time since December due to the winter break. The team will be hoping to bounce back after last weeks disappointing 1-1 draw at Aydinspor. In fairness the Aydinspor pitch didn't do the team any favours as it was in terrible condition. There will be no excuses this week as Ankaragucu will have a nice pitch to play on at the 19 Mayis Stadium, and the backing of the faithful support.

Talking of the 19 Mayis Stadium, Melih Gokcek has stated there will be two new stadiums built in Ankara. One a smaller stadium that will hold 21,000 fans and the other will be a 50,000 seated stadium. The site is next to the current 19 Mayis Stadium which will be demolished once the others are completed. I don't think a 50,000 stadium is the right thing to do. A 35,000 seated stadium would be more suitable especially for Ankaragucu. You just need to look at the stadiums in Turkey at the moment, there all empty due to Passolig, Politics and other reasons.

Ankaragucu will be without key player Omer Bozan who is suspended. Its unclear whether any the new players will be included in the squad. Serkan Balci and Ferhat Culcuoglu both return from suspension.

Kirklarelispor are on a woeful run of form having not won in their last 14 games. They sit 3rd from bottom and there should be no excuses this weekend, a convincing win is a must, especially when the management have again put money in their pocket to strengthen the team.

As usual we will have all the updates on our Facebook page and links to the match on periscope. Jim and the rest of the Kanka group will be going to the game, so if anyone wants to join them get in touch with Jim.

Ankaragucu set to announce 2 new signings!

According to reports Ankaragucu are set to sign Sivasspor duo Cagatay Ceken and Korcan Celikay while Mehmet Yiginer confirms more will follow.

Cagatay Ceken is a 24 year old right back who started his career with Besiktas. He will provide competition for Serkan Balci as the team had no cover due to the departure of Orhan Evci.

Korcan is a 28 year old Goalkeeper who also started his career with Besiktas. With the departure of Emrah Tuncel the club have moved quick to sign the experienced Goalkeeper.

We will have all the latest transfer news as it breaks.

Well, that was a pretty rubbish return

A penalty that shouldn't have been given. A goal scored on the counter-attack after an extremely clear penalty wasn't given. aaarrrggghhhh

Kasimpasa 3 - 0 Genclerbirligi

What a weird match and one which doesn't bode well for Gencler. In the winter break we sold Irfan and Ahmet Calik. Plenty of money for the club but no real replacements brought in.

It showed on Sunday afternoon in a match in Istanbul with a couple of hundred supporters at most.

Just a couple of minutes in and the referee gave a penalty saying that Aydin Karabulut had handballed. Replays suggest he didn't. 1-0.

A few minutes later and our Ahmet Calik was sorely missed as Kasimpasa broke and scored.

Then at around the 15th there was a clear as day penalty not given. It was the most obvious handball. My grandmother would have given it. Then Kasimpasa run away and bang, three-nil down after just 15 minutes.

It was a bit depressing at the Alerta Pub and there was nothing we could do about it than to whine and order another beer.

Ozat made two changes on the spot which made us scratch our heads. He took off both Selcuk and Aydin. No idea why.

We pretty ordinary the rest of the match with only Serdar getting close.

And that was that.

New signing Jonathan Ring came on at some stage. We didn't really see much of him so... no verdict yet.

Ankaragucu 1-1 Aydinspor match report!

Ankaragucu yet again dropped points in a must win match today at Aydinspor. They now go second after Gumushanespor won 2-1 against 1461 Trabzon. Both sides were a goal down, but one managed to take 3 points and the other put up a feeble performance against an Aydinspor that have only taken 8 points from 8 games.

Team - Emre Koyuncu, Muhammed Gonulacar, Sezgin Coskun, Alihan Kubalas, Mehmet Tasci, Harun Aydin, Orhan Gulle, Onur Bayramoglu, Omer Bozan, Erhan Senturk, Muharrem Cengiz

Subs - Altay Bayindir, Metin Aydin, Cenk Kaplan, Emre Sahin, Mustafa Ozturk, Murat Yilmaz, Enes Kubat

I'm not going to waste my time giving a summary of today's game. I will be quicker saying it was utter shite and it looked like two junior teams playing on a public park, Ankaragucu looked slow, unfit and void of any ideas going forward.

Vedat Budak gave Aydinspor the lead from a cross that went straight in with Emre Koyuncu looking like he should have done better. 1-0 half time and the Ankaragucu fans were less than happy with their performance.

Erhan Senturk scored the equaliser for Ankaragucu from the penalty spot early in the second half to make it 1-1. Apart from that the Aydin goalie never had a save to make from this woeful Ankaragucu team. Much better is expected next week!!!!!

Ankaragucu vs Aydinspor match preview!

Before we look ahead to this weekends match in Aydin I just wanted to bring you up to date with some news off the field. Sadly the first bit of news is in regards to well known and liked Ankaragucu fan Hurdaci Mahmut. He has was sadly killed on Wednesday much to the shock as he was just a young man. The Gecekondu tribune will organise a tribute for him at Sunday's match. We at the Round Ball in Ankara would like to pass on our condolences to his family and friends.

Ankaragucu have completed the signings of Emre Kara and Kenan Özer after the transfer ban was lifted yesterday. Emre is a 27 year old left winger signed from Altinordu and having saw videos of him on YouTube I think the fans will enjoy watching him. Kenan is an experienced winger who has signed from Adana Demirspor. The 29 year old has spent most of his career at the highest level in Turkey and looks like another nice addition to the squad.

The winter break is now over and it's back to work for the Ankaragucu players and coaches. The team lie top of Lig 2 but only on goal difference. A tough match awaits them at Aydinspor on Sunday and they will have to make do without Onur Atasayer as the youngster completed his 950K move to Bursaspor. With him only having 6 months left on his contract it's a nice sum of money picked up by the club as we faced losing him for nothing in the summer.

Aydinspor sit 12th in the league and will still be looking to push for a playoff place in the second half of the season. They are one of the clubs who have a good support in the division and will be expecting a good crown behind them. Their top scorer is Berat Ali Genc who has 6 goals this season and will be considered as their key man.

It will be interesting to see how Ismet Tasdemir will line up his team with the new additions. Mehmet Tasci will almost certainly replace Onur at left back while Erhan Senturk is set to return from injury.

Gumushanespor are at home to 1461 Trabzon in what will be another tough game. As we know there are no easy games in this division but if you want to be champions you need to win the tough games.

We will have all the updates as usual on the Round Ball in Ankara Facebook and Twitter pages. Let's hope the team return with 3 points.

Onur Atasayer signs for Bursaspor!

As mentioned last week both Onur Atasayer and Harun Aydin have attracted the attention of Super Lig and PTT sides after a string of impressive performances for Ankaragucu. Both young players have worked their way into the first team over the last couple of years and become key players.

Unfortunately we were given the news today that Onur Atasayer has agreed a move to Bursaspor with his contract up at the end of the season. The Ankaragucu management have claimed they will use the money (which is unclear what the fee is) to lift the transfer ban and bring in 3-4 new players.

I have been a huge fan of Onur from day 1 when he broke into the first team 4 years ago as a 17 year old. As much as I'm disappointed that we are losing him, I'm delighted for him that he has won a deserved move to the Turkish Super Lig and would like to wish him all the best in his future.

That brings me onto our next point. This whole brother love affair with Bursaspor can stay between the fans, but as far as I'm concerned I have nothing positive to say about them as a club. They continue to take our best players for peanuts, while claiming every year they will send some of their reserve players to help the club and then fail to keep their promise.

In other news, Adem Saglam has left the club and joined Ofspor, Orhan Evci has signed for Haceteppe and Ahmet Yazar has signed for Dardanielspor.

Next up for Ankaragucu is an away match at Aydinspor this weekend as the second half of the season gets under way, we will have all the latest team news in the next couple of days.

Ankaragucu - Latest News!

Ankaragucu have been preparing for the second half of the season at their training camp in Antalya. They have played 3 friendly matches which have all ended in a draw. First match they drew 1-1 with Ankara Demirspor with Murat Yilmaz the scorer. Next up was a 1-1 draw with Keciorengucu and Enes Kubat the scorer. Finally a 0-0 draw with Pendikspor concluded the matches in Antalya.

The transfer window is now open and Ankaragucu will be hoping to keep hold of their prized assets such as Onur Atasayer and Harun Aydin who are both attracting interest from Super Lig teams. One player on his way out of the club is Emrah Tuncel. The goalkeeper started the season as number 1 having arrived in the summer. A string of awful performances saw him loose his place in the starting line up to Emre Koyuncu. The club have terminated his contract by mutual consent and he is now free to join another club.

League actions begins next Sunday when the team have a difficult match at Aydinspor. Hopefully Ismet Tasdemir has the team in top shape as they prepare to fight it out with Gumushanespor and Menemen BB for the title.