The domestic football returns this weekend after the International break and Elections which took place last weekend. Another huge match for Ankaragücü as they host fellow strugglers Fenerbahce in a must win match for both sides as we approach the business end of the season.
Ankaragücü will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointing 3-1 defeat at Yeni Malatyaspor and the break will have allowed Mustafa Kaplan spend more time on the training ground with his group of players who have been in fantastic form since the return after the Winter break.
Ilhan Parlak and Stelios Kitsiou have both been working with the physio as they fight for fitness ahead of tomorrow’s match. Kitsiou in particular would be a big loss if he missed out. Hadi Sacko and Michal Pazdan both returned from International duty without any injury concerns and should be ready for the match.
The last time the two sides met Ankaragücü won 3-1 in Istanbul thanks to goals from Ricardo Faty, Erdem Ozgenc and El Kabir. A lot has changed since then with the Ankaragücü almost unrecognisable with the amount of changes in the team, while Fenerbahce have improved their form slightly since then and will be a much tougher test.
Fenerbahce may not have the household names of previous seasons or the financial resources they once had, but they still have a squad who are under achieving and shouldn’t find themselves in a relegation battle. Players such as Ayew, Slimani, Benzia, Valbuena, Ekici, Topal and Soldado are all good players who have had inconsistent seasons and should be performing at a higher level.
Victor Moses has been a good addition to the team in January and will be key tomorrow along with Matheu Valbuena who may be past his best but still a quality player on his day.
Ankaragücü have played with a settled team over the last couple of months and a lot of their success has come from the brilliant Matthew Tyler Boyd and Dever Orgill. The Jamaican striker has 6 goals in his 7 games while Boyd has chipped in with 2 goals. Both have also played their part in assists and have shown exceptional work rate.
One of the unsung hero’s in the Ankaragücü side is Hector Canteros. The Argentinian has played his part in consistently creating chances, but has also led in distance covered in every game he has played. His work ethic is second to none and he will again be a big player for the team tomorrow.
Hadi Sacko will likely start tomorrow but needs to show a bit more in his play. There is no doubting his work rate but needs to show more with his final ball and finishing. Aydin Karabulut can be forgiven for feeling a bit aggrieved at the lack of chances he has been given as Kaplan continues to persist with Ilhan Parlak.
Eryaman Stadium will be full tomorrow with another’s big crowd expected and the Kanka Group will be in attendance. Please contact Jim for further details.
Excellent preview and spot on Nadeem.
ReplyDeleteI make no apologies for using the much used expression ..... 'must win match', because that's exactly what it is tomorrow.
With a full stadium and 20,000 fanatics willing the team on, it is surely worth a goal of a start ??!!
As you quite rightly say Nadeem, Orgill and Boyd will be required to do the biz in the final 3rd and on present form that is achievable. Let's hope that Djedje is also available because his driving runs from midfield and his influence on the midfield will be necessary.
I will be meeting Harun and Damon in Kizilay at 12.30 and going to the stadium by metro. Meeting opposite the Kizilay AVM and outside YKM.
C'mon Ankaragucu ........ let's do this and send them back down into the relegation zone where they belong yessssssssssssss !!!!