Ankaragücü traveller back to the Capital last night with all 3 points after another upset and a 1-0 victory at Kasimpasa. Again it was an excellent defensive performance from Ankaragücü who also had a bit of luck on their side, but it’s 3 points and the team won’t care how they win.
Team - Korcan, Kitsiou, Kulusic, Pazdan, Pinto, Sedat, Moke, Canteros, Ilhan, Aydin, Orgill
Subs - Furkan, Cebrail, Yalcin, Mehmet, Ahmet, Faty, Alihan, Hasan, Ender, Zaur
Thiago Pinto came in for his first start of the season replacing Mehmet Sak who would have to make do with a place on the bench.
It was a frantic start to the game with Kasimpasa hitting the crossbar after only 2 minutes when Yusuf Erdogan saw his deflected shot off Pazdan come back off the bar. Ankaragücü went straight up the other end and from a free kick Ilhan saw his header saved by Ozturk.
A minute later Dever Orgill had a go from 35 yards but his shot was weak and went well wide of the post.
Korcan Celikay has been instrumental in Ankaragücü good start to the season and had another good game last night. He made a great save from point blank range on the 18th minute to keep the scores even. Five minutes later Ankaragücü took the lead, a great ball into the box from Tito Canteros for Ilhan who tried to head the ball back across goal, but it looped high over Ozturk into the back of the net to send the travelling fans wild.
Special praise has to go to Ilhan, who doesn’t have the quality required at this level, but played with broken ribs last night and again showed his commitment to the team.
From then on it was all Kasimpasa. Mustafa Pektemek headed over from 5 yards before Korcan made a brilliant double save. Yusuf Erdogan, Hajradinovic and Khallili all had chances before half time but Couldn’t find a way past Korcan.
Into the 2nd half and it was much of the same. Aytac Kara saw his show saved by Korcan on the 49th minute. Five minutes later Ilhan had a chance to double his tally but Ozturk managed to clear the ball for a corner.
On the 64h minute Hajradinovic had another shot from distance but Korcan saved again. Then on the 78th minute it looked like Kasimpasa luck was about to change, but Mame Thiam saw his headed effort come back off the bar.
Ilhan had another great chance when he was put through on goal by Canteros but he was too slow and allowed the defender to get back and clear. Korcan had 1 more great save before the game finished and the Ankaragücü fans celebrated at the end with the team.
A massive win for Ankaragücü and now let’s hope Mehmet Yiginer can lift the transfer ban as with a few additions in midfield and attack this Ankaragücü team could fight for Europe.
It may have been a fortunate goal, but as you said Nadeem, it went in and at this point in the season it was a welcome 3 points. Also, that goal will have done a lot to boost the confidence of much maligned Ilhan.
ReplyDeleteAs we have said during the past few weeks, where would we have been without Korcan and our resolute defenders.
Well done Ankaragucu.
The team now has 2 weeks to prepare for the visit of Yeni Malatyaspor.
Bring it on !!!