Rizespor 1-4 Ankaragucu match report!

Ilhan Parlak and Alihan Kubalas both went from zero to hero today in a stunning 4-1 victory for Ankaragucu at leaders Rizespor.

Team - Korcan, Erdem, Alihan, Gencer, Ferhat, Sedat, Arif, Putsila, Nduka, Ilhan, Umut Nayir

Subs - Altay, Abdulkadir, Dieng, Kenan, Mehmet, Enes, Yusuf, Lukasz, Doka

When the Ankaragucu team was announced today most Ankaragucu fans including myself were disappointed to see Ilhan Parlak in the team yet again after his poor form at the start of the season. I'm delighted that he managed to shut us all up with 2 fantastic goals and an outstanding overall performance.

Right from the very start Ankaragucu were at the races today and played some excellent football while working their socks off all over the park. The first chance came on the 7th minute when Erdem played the ball down the line for Ilhan who put in a dangerous cross but their were no takers and Gokhan Akkan punched the ball away.

Five minutes later and the breakthrough came for the visitors after Ferhat Kiraz put in an excellent ball to the back post for Ilhan Parlak who rose above his man and headed the ball into the top corner making it 1-0 giving Gokhan no chance. It was a fantastic goal and just the start Ankaragucu wanted.

Caykur were struggling to get into the match but a moment of misjudgement from Alihan as he brought down Leonard Kweuke in his own area resulted in a penalty for Rizespor. Up stepped Samu to make it 1-1 with the penalty.

Ankaragucu didn't let their heads drop and were on the front foot again, this time Erdem found Nduka whose shot come cross was pushed away by Gokhan Akkan. Nduka would unfortunately go off injured a few minutes later and was replaced with Cheikhou Dieng.

Leonard Kweuke also went off injured for Rizespor but not before he dragged a shot from outside the box wide of the post.

It's not often you see examples of fair play, but Orhan for Rizespor today showed just that when he was brought down in the penalty box by Ferhat but got straight up and said it wasn't a penalty as Ferhat got the ball. Replays showed that he was indeed correct.

Umut Nayir had an excellent game despite not scoring with his overall link up play and work rate a big factor in today's victory. He went close on the 36th minute as his powerful shot from outside the box was tipped over the bar by Gokhan.

Just before half time Ankaragucu almost regained the lead but Gencer saw his shot cleared off the line and it remained 1-1.

Into the second half and it took Ankaragucu only 3 minutes to take the lead. Ilhan saw his cross into the box cleared for a corner. From the resulting corner Erdem floated the ball into the box for Alihan who headed past Gokhan to make it 2-1Ankaragucu.

Sedat had a shot from distance go well wide before Lincoln almost caught Korcan out with a cross but the keeper tipped it over the bar.

Rizespor went close again when Samu saw his headed effort to inches wide of the post as Ankaragucu defended desperately to hold onto their lead.

With 2 minutes remaining Anton Putsila beat 2 players before his shot was fumbled by Gokhan and substitute Kenan was on hand to make it 3-1 and almost certainly give the team the 3 points.

The game was put to bed a minute later when Kenan turned provider for Ilhan who calmly slotted the Ball past Gokhan to make it 4-1 Ankaragucu and finish of an incredible day and send the fans home happy.

Today's game was the teams best performance from the days of the Super Lig when Ankaragucu were beating the likes of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Much credit has to go to Ilhan Parlak and İsmail Kartal who have both been under a lot of pressure and criticism.

Next up is the Cup on Thursday as the team travel to Afyon Afjetspor before a home match against Samsunspor next Sunday.

Rizespor 1-4 Ankaragucu highlights