Ankaragücü moved 7 points clear of th relegation zone with a fantastic 2-0 victory at Kayserispor this afternoon. Goztepe lost 1-0 at Rizespor yesterday, while Bursa were on the wrong end of the same result at home against Trabzonspor on Friday night.
Team - Altay, Kitsiou, Kulusic, Pazdan, Pinto, Djedje, Sedat, Moulin, Sacko, Boyd, Sadaev
Subs - Korcan, Mehmet Sak, Alihan, Mahmut, Ilhan, Cebrail, Scarione, Aydin, Moke, Kaan
Zaur Sadaev came in for his full debut as he replaced the suspended Orgill, while Moulin replaced Canteros in midfield who was also suspended.
The Kadir Has Stadium has been kind to Ankaragücü in recent years, as the team clinched promotion there 2 years ago when they beat Kayseri Erciyesspor.
Ankaragücü started the match brightly and Sadaev was put through on goal by Djedje early on but Lung came out of his goal and managed to clear. A minute later nice play from Sadaev to set up Moulin who was through on goal, but chose to pass across the face of goal and Kucher got back to make an important clearance.
It took 11 minutes for Kayserispor to get their first chance of the game as Varela cut inside but shot into the side netting. Five minutes later a long distance effort from Chery was saved by Altay.
Tyler Boyd was starting to come into the game and he got on the end of a good cross from Sacko but his headed effort was straight at Lung. A minute later Sadaev had a good chance but he dragged his shot wide after a mistake in the box from the Kayseri defence.
On the 28th minute Sadaev played Pinto in who had a great chance but pulled his shot wide of the post when he should have done better. Both Pinto and Kitsiou were getting forward at every opportunity joining in on the attacks.
Kitsiou was almost rewarded just before half time as he burst into the box before shooting but Lung made another good save to keep the score level.
Half Time
Ange Kulusic and Michal Pazdan have formed a formidable partnership at the back and both were outstanding again today, Kulusic in particular. Making last ditch challenges and taking care of the ball. Hopefully Ankaragücü can keep hold of both for next season.
Kayserispor went close on the 60th minute though Deniz, but his free kick was brilliantly saved by Altay Bayindir who was having another good game.
Both Keepers were having a good game, and at the other end Lung made a brilliant save from point black range as Sedat got on the end of a corner. Ten minutes later Moulin put in a great cross for Kulusic but the big Croat headed wide.
The deadlock was broken on the 76th minute. Pinto cleared the ball from an certain goal at one end, and Ankaragücü went up the other end, as Kitsiou played the ball forward for Boyd and he lobbed the ball beautifully over Lung to make it 1-0 Ankaragücü.
Kayserispor had a couple of chances though Deniz and Chery but both efforts were from distance and went wide.
As Kayserispor looked for the equaliser, they ignored their defensive duties, and Aydin who was unmarked found Ilhan in the box who had a simple tap in and made it 2-0 sending the Ankaragücü travelling support wild.
A brilliant result for Ankaragücü who are now 12th and unbelievably only 2 points behind Malatyaspor in 5th. Next up is Konyaspor at home next Sunday.
Great and accurate report as usual Nadeem.
ReplyDeleteI would only add that Damon and I thought that Pinto was alson superb today in both halves of the match with his defending and helping Djedje out in midfield to drive the team forward.
This was an inspirational performance which augers well for next week to really make mid-table certain.
Bring it on Ankaragucu yesssssss !!!!