Ankaragucu 0-0 Elazigspor match report!

Ankaragucu have failed to score a single goal in any of their opening 3 games of the second half of the season after another disappointing performance and 0-0 draw with Elazigspor this afternoon. The team didn’t look like scoring and again had to thank Korcan who had another excellent game in goal to give Ankaragucu a share of the points.

Team - Korcan, Erdem, Gencer, Yusuf, Ferhat, Arif, Sedat, Putsila, Ilhan, Kenan, Umut
Subs - Altay, Mehmet, Mahmut, Can Arik, Abdulkadir, Enes, Tonia, Kehinde, Mbamba

Ankaragucu have been struggling in attack since scoring 3 goals against Manisaspor back in early December. Umut Nayir has failed to find the net since mid November, and after the last two performances we were looking for İsmail Kartal to change things up and bring some intensity and pace into the side.

Instead, we had the same rubbish that he has been serving us since the back end of last year. Same formation, same slow build up play, persisting with Ilhan Parlak out wide on th left when he has no pace, can’t cross, dribble or beat his man while Tonia is sitting on the bench. Ilhan is more effective through the middle and it would make more sense to play a 4-4-2 formation if he wants to go with both Umut and Ilhan.

The Ankaragucu team is full of old players and it’s starting to tell as the team look tired and jaded. Only Sedat, Kenan and Erdem look like they are at acceptable fitness levels.

Managers are judged on results, and results are reflected on the decisions you make. When the game plan hadn’t looked like working for 70 minutes, his genius decision was to take off our most effective wide player this season in Kenan for Tonia, while Ilhan remained on the pitch. It was the same formation, just a change in personel.

Elazigspor started the match brightly, while Ankaragucu again looked sluggish and couldn’t keep the ball. The Ankaragucu fans again turned up in their numbers and cheered the team on from the first minute until the last.

Three minutes in and a mistake from Erdem almost led to a chance for Elazigspor but Ankaragücü managed to clear. Four minutes later Kadir saw his shot from distance saved by Korcan.

Ankaragucu had to wait until the 10th minute for their first chance as Gencer saw his header from a Kenan cross go inches wide.

Tom was the star of the show the last time the sides met and went past two players before shooting wide on the 22nd minute. Ten minutes later Erdem shot from the edge of the box straight into the hands of Soner.

Shortly after that Ankaragucu had their best chance of the game as Umut got onto the end of a Sedat cross but Soner made a good save to keep the score level. Five minutes later Kenan crossed the ball for Sedat but his shot was well wide of the post.

Half Time - Ankaragucu 0-0 Elazigspor

Into the 2nd half and Lamine Diarra should have opened the scoring for Elazigspor on the 61st minute but Korcan made a terrific save with his legs and Ankaragucu managed to clear.

Elazigspor had another great chance through Tatos but that man Korcan saved his team again with a fantastic save.

Ankaragucu had a bit more possession in the 2nd half but they failed to create any chances until late on where Ilhan headed over. Their was still time for one more chance for Halil Pesken but Korcan made a great save and Ankaragucu can thank their keeper for winning them a point in another shambolic performance.

Next up is an away trip to Balikesirspor next Sunday and you can bet İsmail will go with the same formation and maybe bring Tonia in for Kenan. Hopefully he can surprise us and prove me wrong.