ANKARAGUCU DEMONSTRATE THE MEANING OF ‘NO SURRENDER’ !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

What an amazing match !

Ankaragucu showed all their fighting defensive qualities in the first half to go in all square.   However, it was a different story in the 2^nd half when Galatasaray came out with all guns blazing.

Bang, bang, with only 5 minutes till the end of the match, Galatasaray was cruising at 2-0 and strutting around like proud peacocks.

Orgill had been shown the RED card half way through the 2^nd half but Ankaragucu persisted in their efforts to break out and attack.   Then the match was turned on its head !

On the 85^th minute Ilhan was wrestled to the ground in the box by a defender.   Probably Mr Terim will explain the difference between wrestling and football next to him next week ?!

Ilhan kept his nerve and sent in the penalty to the bottom left with Muslera going the opposite way.   It was noticeable that celebrations were zero when 3 Ankaragucu players retrieved the ball and ran it to the centre circle for a quick re-start.

In all honesty, we were thinking that pride had been restored to a degree and an equaliser wasn’t considered.   But ....... Man of the Match for the first time ever, Ilhan, had other ideas.   Into time-added-on, he received a pass on the right near the goal line and won a tackle, looked up, spotted Kitsiou moving in unchallenged, and sent a classic cut-back to him to stroke in to send us all into raptures.

An unbelievable climax to a match which bodes well for the next 2 matches before the winter break.

Back to the beginning though, and Maniac Kanka Harun and I watched the match in The Bira Park Bar and I have to admit that optimism wasn’t on the menu ....... only yummy Efes !!

Team – Korcan, Kitsiou, Pinto, Pazdan, Kulusic, Alihan, Cebrail, Sedat, Faty, Ilhan and Orgill

Substitutes – Alper, Moke and Hasan

Both teams had chances in the first half.   Orgill was put through early in the match, but instead of shooting when well placed, he hesitated and had to play the ball back and the chance was lost.

Shortly after, Ilhan received a pass on the left and fired in a screamer which went just past the left post.

Falcao had a great chance for the home team but his shot was deflected by Pazdan for a corner, but the referee gave a goal kick !!

With everyone expecting an easy evening for Galatasaray, it was a good defensive and sound performance by Ankaragucu.

The 2^nd half was only 7 minutes old when the break through came for Galatasaray.

A free kick on the right was floated in and Feghouli out-jumped the defenders to send in an angled header which deceived Korcan.   Poor covering by the defence which gave Korcan no chance.

Galatasaray continued to attack and Pazdan saved on the line, Korcan saved a certain goal, and Orgill stupidly put his arm into the throat of a Galatasaray player in a fight for the ball to receive a RED.

10 minutes from the end and the miss of the match when a Galatasaray attacker had the goal at his mercy and sent the ball just past the post.  

However, a clumsy tackle by Kulusic 2 minutes later gave Galatasaray the chance to go 2 up when a penalty was rightly awarded.

Belhanda sent it in high to the centre with Korcan diving to the left.

That was it with Harun and I slouched in our chairs with long faces.     Not quite says Ilhan !!

What a rousing finish by Ankaragucu and the players can be proud of their efforts.    In a fine gesture they all went to the travelling supporters to applaud them.

With Orgill suspended for next week, it will be up to Ilhan to lead the line in Antalya with support from possibly Hasan and Cebrail.    We can certainly look forward to bringing back at least one point, and who knows, possibly THREE  !!!

We will be watch it in The Bira Park Bar next Friday KO 8.30pm.

Ankaragucu may still be propping up the league, but on this performance there is every hope that they can stage a fight-back after the winter break and start to put pressure on the teams above them.

Well done Ankaragucu !!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim