Ankaragücü transfer deadline roundup!

After 1 year of being unable to sign any players due to the transfer ban, Ankaragücü were one of the most active teams in Europe on transfer deadline day with 16 new players coming in and multiple players leaving the club.

Again well done to Fatih Mert and his management team for working round the clock for the past few months as they look to give the club and new manager Mustafa Resit Akcay some hope in fighting relegation.

We take a look at all of the players who signed for the club today and what some of the journalists i spoke to on Twitter said.

Ricardo Freidrich - Brazilian Goalkeeper signed from Bodo Glimt In Norway having spent the last few years there and also Finland. Our very own Miguel said he spoke to a few people who have seen him play and reckon he will be a good signing. At 26 years old he is also in the prime of his career.

Atilla Turan - Was highly rated in France as a Youngster having been capped at every youth level. Hasn’t fulfilled that potential and the 27 year old left back has signed on a free transfer from Kayserispor as backup for Thiago Pinto.

Okan Cinar - Another who hasn’t fulfilled his potential but has plenty of talent. Signed on a free transfer from Besiktas, the winger has excellent technique and is a creative spark but questions are asked over his attitude and work rate.

Saba Lobjanidze - One of the most exciting signings, the Georgian winger signs on loan from FC Randers in Denmark. Speaking to a couple of Danish fans on Twitter they say that he has plenty of speed and skill but sometimes doesn’t have the final ball. Players with speed tend to do well in Turkey so let’s hope Saba can kick start his career in the Turkish Capital.

Konrad Mikhalak - 22 year old Polish winger signed on loan from Akhmat Grozny. Hopefully he’s as successful as Michal Pazdan but the reports I received on him weren’t great.

Gerson Rodrigues - Signed on loan from Dynamo Kiev, born in Portugal but represents Luxembourg at international level. Having spoke to people who have saw him play, he could be a good signing for the club. Can play anywhere across the front line.

Gelmin Rivas - Spent the majority of his career in the Middle East and is well respected over there. The 30 year old Venezuelan striker will hoping to fire Ankaragücü to safety as goals this season have been very few and far between.

Daniel Lukasik - Devensive midfielder signed on loan from Legia Gdańsk in Poland and received similar reviews to Konrad Mikhalik.

Milos Stanojevic - Midfielder signed from FC Sarajevo in Bosnia. At 26 years old Milos has a lot of experience and will be another valuable addition to the middle of the park.

Fatih Tultak- Good piece of business from the club signing the 18 year old centre half from Karabukspor who are struggling financially. The youngster has also been capped for the Turkish U18 national team.

Arda Belen - Another great coup from the club signing 19 year old right back Arda Belen also from Karabukspor who had been capped for the Turkey U19 national team.

Ahmet Sun - Former Osmanlispor winger, the 21 year old has signed from BAK FK

Muhammed Yasir Karabay - Signed on a free transfer having been without a club. The former Genclerbirligi youth will be looking to kick start his career.

Nduka Ozokwo - A real strange signing. Nduka now in his 3rd spell with the club where he has never been able to break into the first team and hasn’t played any football in 8-9 months. At 31 years old he isn’t a youth player who you can look to develop.

Enes Kubat - Enes will always be well thought of by the Ankaragücü fans after helping the club come up the divisions and win promotion back to Super Lig, will most likely warm the bench as he struggled to break into Lig 1 side Altinordu side. Surprise signing but we wish him the best.

Suat Kaya - Former Osmanlispor player who is looking to kick start his career after being released by BAK FK. 20 year old winger.


And that wraps it up. Some exciting signings, some unknowns and some real strange signings too. Now it’s down to the manager and team to help the club stay in the Super Lig starting with Kasimpasa at home on Sunday.

Heading the other way out the door are Yalcin Ayhan who signed with Fatih Karagumruk while Tito Canteros, Moke and Aydin Karabulut have also been told to find new clubs. Hasan Kaya has also moved on loan to Erzincan.

Onto Sunday we now go and let’s hope for a full stadium in the 6 pointer!

Ankaragücü management lift the transfer ban!

The long wait is over as Fatih Mert announced today that after months of hard work the club have finally removed the transfer ban. Firstly a big congratulations to Fatih and the rest of his management team for all their hard work and dedication to the club which hopefully will see the good times return and give the team what they need to avoid relegation.

Earlier in the week Ankaragücü announced former Osmanlispor coach Mustafa Resit Akcay will be taking over from Mustafa Kaplan as the clubs new manger which saw some mixed reviews from the Ankaragücü support. He did however lead Osmanlispor to the Europa League and is a well respected coach.

We are still awaiting confirmation of the clubs new signings with 11 already agreeing Contracts’s with the club and possibly more to come. As soon as they announced we will have all the latest news here.

On their way out of the club is Tito Canteros, Wilfred Moke and Aydin Karabulut who have all been told to find new clubs.

Kayserispor 1-1 Ankaragücü match report!

It was a Kanka reunion this time in my hometown in Scotland instead of the Turkish Capital as Jim returned home and was accompanied by Damon who is making his first trip to Scotland. It was great to see both of them again who kindly brought some beautiful gifts for our baby who is due in the next couple of weeks. Thanks to Damon, Jim and Harun for their generosity.

Today saw another huge game for Ankaragücü as they took on fellow relegation candidates Kayserispor. The talk during the week was that Ankaragücü would lift the transfer ban on Friday. Unfortunately that never materialised and there are still 3 files to sort out with Fifa before the ban can be lifted. The club is still hoping it can do that next week.

The players who are here just now again done their part and picked up another valuable point. Aykan Atik who took control of the team after Mustafa Kaplan left midweek brought Denver a Orgill into the starting line up but decided to go with Faty and Sedat instead of Scarione much to the disappointment of the Ankaragücü fans.

Team - Korcan, Cebrail, Kulusic, Pazdan, Pinto, Faty, Sedat, Canteros, Ilhan, Kitsiou, Orgill
Subs - Kafkasyali, Alihan, Moke, Mahmut, Aydin, Scarione, Hasan, Sadaev, Mehmet, Alper

Kayserispor got off to a flying start as they took the lead after the first minute but fortunately for Ankaragücü the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

A minute later Ankaragücü also had a goal ruled out for offside though Ilhan Parlak. Both decisions were correct in the end.

The opening goal came on the 23rd minute as Kayserispor were awarded a penalty after Pazdan was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Up stepped Bernard Mensah to make it 1-0 for the home side.

The next big talking point didn’t come until the start of the second half when Cebrail Karayel was sent off for Ankaragücü. Having already been on a yellow card, Cebrail won the ball from Henrique who after 5 seconds decided to have a delayed dive and Cunyet Cakir somehow red carded Cebrail. One of the worst decisions you will ever see.

We have seen so many times this season, despite the lack of quality and all the off field problems this Ankaragücü team never quits. And the same can be said today again as the ten men managed to grab an equaliser. A brilliant cross into the box from Thiago Pinto was met by the head of Alihan Kubalas who beautifully headed the ball past the keeper to make it 1-1.

Kayserispor were awarded another penalty late on but this time VAR saved Ankaragücü and again it was the correct decision.

In the final minute of the game, Oscar Scarione was almost the hero again with a brilliant free kick from the edge of the box but the ball hit the post and it was the final action of the game.

A 1-1 draw and a home game against Kasimpasa next Sunday. Let’s hope we can lift the transfer ban midweek and give everyone a lift.

GENCLERBIRLIGI SUCCUMB TO TWO LATE GOALS !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Genclerbirligi had an inauspicious start to the 2^nd half of the season when they conceded two late goals in ‘Tea Country’ last night.

Rizespor          2                GENCLERBIRLIGI            0

This defeat leaves Gencler perilously close to the relegation zone and only 4 points above 3^rd bottom club Antalya.   However, it is very congested at the bottom of the league, so still plenty to play for to fight for their survival in the Super League.

Milan Skoda did the damage last night with both goals in the 70^th and 85^th minute.

Gencler has the Friday match this week at home to Gaziantep who sit 6 points above Gencler.

I will be unable to comment on any Gencler matches for the next 2 weeks due to my annual pilgrimage to Scotland.   However, I will be back next month to give a brief account of their situation.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU OFFER LITTLE IN THE WAY OF HOPE !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Only Konya supporters will have enjoyed last night’s match at The Eryaman Stadium and will have been relieved to have eventually bagged all 3 points which moved them 6 points clear of Ankaragucu.

Ankaragucu, on the other hand, has left us long suffering supporters with little hope to salvage their status as a Super League team after their abysmal performance last night when they toiled for 94 minutes without putting one serious shot on target.

ANKARAGUCU       0              Konyaspor           1

Ankaragucu was lucky to escape into the tunnel at half time without conceding after Konya took the match to Ankaragucu from the off, and it was a miracle that the opening goal didn’t arrive on the 15^th minute mark.   With an open goal, the Konya attacker had his shot blocked by a late lunge by Korcan.

2 minutes later and a Konya attacker was ideally placed on the right inside the box but sent his shot just past the left post.

25 minutes gone and Korcan to the rescue again when he saved from a one-on-one situation.

Still the kankas had not entirely given up hope at half time.   Perhaps we were thinking it could be a game of two halves   ??!!      Wrong  !!

A good turn-out of kankas in The Alerta Bar for the visit of Prodigal Son, Cider Kanka John, who returned to Ankara after an absence of 2 years.   Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Paddy Kanka Paul and Andy gave him a rousing welcome back into the fold.

Half way through the 2^nd half and the response from Ankaragucu didn’t materialise with Korcan brought into action again to save a certain goal from a cut-back on the left.   Then 10 minutes from the final whistle yet another great escapes when a Konya cross came in from the left and a Konya attacker sent in a bullet of a header with Korcan rooted to his goal line.   However, the ball struck the left post, rebounded into play and was cleared.

2 minutes into time-added-on and the killer blow arrived.   To be fair, it was no more than Konya deserved after dominating the match.   A Konya break out of defence saw the ball played to an unmarked attacker on the right and he drove into the danger area and lobbed the ball over the outrushing Korcan’s head and in for the winning goal.

So, Ankaragucu still languish in 2^nd bottom position in the league and if they continue to play like they did last night can have little hope of staying the Super League.   Only Korcan and Scarione can take some credit for their performances last night.

Next Saturday will be the acid test and a 6 Pointer when Ankaragucu travel to bottom club Kayseri to decide which of them will prop-up the League  !!

I shudder to think what the top 4 teams in the league would have done to Ankaragucu last night.    With the transfer ban still firmly in place, it doesn’t bear thinking about what is to come in the next few months  !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim