Ankaragücü 0-0 Bursaspor match report!

Today’s match with Bursaspor wasn’t about football. Instead 20,000 Ankaragücü fans and some fans from other clubs including Goztepe, Eskisehirspor, Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray attended the match to pay their respects to Ankaragücü fans Eren Acigoz and Mert Cakir who sadly lost their lives last weekend in a Bus crash.

All proceedings including gate money from today’s match was donated by the club to both of the kids families who were in attendance to witness the emotional and stunning tribute by all who took part. We at the Round ball in Ankara offer our condolences to the families of both Eren and Mert.

Team - Altay, Kitsiou, Pazdan, Kulusic, Pinto, Moke, Djedje, Canteros, Boyd, Sacko, Orgill

Subs - Korcan, Moulin, Ilhan, Scarione, Mehmet Sak, Alihan, Mahmut, Aydin, Cebrail, Kaan

Both teams started the match brightly and there were 6 chances in the opening 6 minutes but both sides were wasteful with their finishing, and that would continue throughout the whole match.

In the first minute Henri Saivet saw his shot well saved by Altay who tipped the ball over for a corner. From the resulting corner Chedjou headed inches wide with Altay rooted to the spot. 

At the other end an only a minute later. Boyd swung in a great ball and Orgill saw his head cleared off the line. Two minutes later the Jamaican was put through on goal by Canteros but he saw his shot saved by Okan from a tight angle. 

Aytac then went close for Bursa on the 6th minute but his shot from 30 yards went wide of the post. Five minutes later Erdogan had a great chance for Bursaspor but for a brilliant last ditch tackle by Ante Kulusic.

Stelios Kitsiou continues to impress and he went on a great run down the right hand side before crossing the ball to the back post for Sacko but he shot into the side netting. On the 36th minute Hector Canteros put in a good cross from a corner for Kulusic who headed over when he should have at least hit the target. 

Three minutes later Aytac almost caught Altay out with a great free kick but the ball came back off the post. Two minutes he went close again but his shot from 25 yards went inches wide. Aytac was having a great game for Bursa in the middle of the park. Bursa has one more chance before the break as Lima shot from distance but Altay saved easily.

Half Time - Ankaragucu 0-0 Bursaspor 

Five minutes into the second half and Lima was put through on goal but he took a heavy touch and Altay smothered the ball at his feet. 

Ten minutes later Boyd saw his free kick go inches over and then a brilliant move involving Pinto and Boyd who set up Sacko but his shot was straight at Okan.

A minute later and Canteros put through Orgill but he shot wide of the post when he should have done better. Moments later another good move from Ankaragücü ended with Canteros shooting straight at Okan.

That would be the last chance of the game as both sides held out for the draw. A fair result as both sides had their chances but were wasteful. Hector Canteros again led Ankaragücü in distance covered. Ante Kulusic and Michal Pazdan were outstanding at the back and young Altay again kept a clean sheet as Ankaragücü have only lost 1 game since the January break.

Next up Ankaragücü travel to Yeni Malatyaspor next Sunday. We will have the match preview midweek.