BREAKING NEWS ............. CORONA VIRUS.

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

It has been announced this afternoon that Turkish Football is now postponed.

This is not unexpected news, in line with most of the Football Associations of other Europeans countries, and also in view of the news that the Antalyaspor Coach has possibly contracted the Corona Virus.

It remains to be seen when footie will be allowed to continue, with or without spectators, but of course, everyone must put health concerns first  !

Watch this space for further on this subject as and when it is known.

In the meantime ............. stay safe !!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI STUCK IN THE DANGER ZONE !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Gencler was unable to pull themselves clear of the danger zone yesterday and remain stuck on the periphery of the relegation struggle.

Denizlispor           1             GENCLERBIRLIGI        0

I don’t have details of the match, but I think it was Baiano who scored and own goal for Denizli.

With a Europe wide footie close-down, footie continues in Turkey, albeit behind closed doors.

Also, the latest news last night is that all Night Clubs, Bars and Pubs will be closed across Turkey with effect from today, until .............. who knows !     I’m not sure at the moment if this also includes Bistros and Restaurants.

I am therefore left in limbo with no access to Super League footie.    However, I will endeavour to conjure-up some details of the matches to put up here.

It is anyone’s guess which 3 teams are going down this season, that is ............if the season plays out to its conclusion  !

Perm any 3 from Gencler, Antalya, Kasimpasa, Konya, Malatya, Rize, Ankaragucu and Kayseri  !!!

So, next Sundays’s home match against Konya takes on great significance for Gencler.   Win it, and move into the mid-table area, or lose it and stay in the relegation fight.

As always, watch this space !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU LEAVE OUR NERVE ENDS JANGLING !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Just when we thought that Ankaragucu would run away with the match and put it to bed, we received a wake-up call just before the half time whistle when Rize brought themselves back into the match with a rather fortuitous goal due to chaos in the Ankaragucu defence !

However, the bottom line is ......... a win and 3 valuable points to stay in the race to avoid relegation, but just how that is going to pan-out remains to be seen with a Europe wide postponement of footie.

For the time being, Turkey is playing its footie behind closed doors as a containment measure to the Corona Virus, so we were unable to watch the match in the Stadium last night.

We therefore watched the match in The Yeni Sedir Bar and I brought along my ‘medicine’, as you can see in the photo below  !!!     This ‘medicine’ reportedly keeps the virus at bay  !!!   The kankas were there – Maniac Kanka Harun, Nurer Kanka, Haluk Kanka, along with lots of other Ankaragucu fanatics.

ANKARAGUCU      2            Caykur Rizespor           1

Team – Ricardo, Atila, Pazdan, Kulusic, Kitsiou, Faty, Sedat, Lukasik, Michalak, Rodrigues and Orgill

Substitutes – Scarione and Saba

Ankaragucu went straight into attack from the whistle and almost scored in the 1^st minute.   An Ankaragucu free kick on the left just outside the box was taken by Michalak and the ball was heading for the top left when it took a slight deflection off the wall for a corner.

It was end to end after that for the first 15 minutes with Rize looking the more composed on the ball, but fortunately their final shots on goal were wayward.

Ankaragucu had another free kick on the right taken by Atila which was headed goalward by Orgill, but the goalkeeper got into a tangle with himself and managed to save with his feet and gather the ball.

Then on the 18^th minute Ankaragucu won a corner on the right which was sent into the box and cleared by Burak (the Rize No28) straight into the goal with the goalkeeper and other defenders stunned.    The early goal was much appreciated  !!

4 minutes later and it was 2-0.   Another corner on the right was sent in and headed clear to Michalak who was on his own just outside the box.   He passed to Rodrigues on the right who swivelled and shot inside the left post to send us all wild.   This was a dream start but unfortunately Ankaragucu couldn’t find the killer touch to put the match to bed.

Rize continued attacking to find a way back into the match and they almost did in the 36^th minute when from a corner on the right the ball was sent goalward, but who was on the line to clear to safety ??     Orgill ......... yesssssssss   !!

Rize continued to attack and it was Kulusic to the rescue as half time approached with a headed clearance in a dangerous position.

Then, with the last action before the half time whistle, Rize struck !   The defence was all at sea when a cross came in from the right to the back post.   A Rize attacker headed into the centre before the ball went out of play and the unmarked Garmash headed in for an easy, if fortunate, goal, and again the Ankaragucu defence lost its concentration to gift an unnecessary goal.

Rize resumed on the front foot and Ankaragucu’s old bad habits were returning, ie, passes going astray and giving the ball away cheaply.   Rize almost drew level 10 minutes after the re-start from a free kick on the right which was headed in on target, but Ricardo just managed to get his fingertips to it and tip the ball over the bar.

Half way through the 2^nd half and it was Pazdan (not for the first time) to the rescue with a timely tackle to clear the danger.

Shortly after that, Sedat received a head-butt from a Rize defender in a challenge for the ball and he was stretchered off with a serious head injury and taken to hospital in an ambulance.   Hopefully, he will recover, but it looked very serious !

Entering the last 15 minutes of the match and Rize continued to look dangerous as they probed for the equaliser, but Ricardo pulled off some excellent saves to deny them.

10 minutes to go and Rodrigues had two chances to seal the match for Ankaragucu but he completely missed an excellent cross from the right, and then his shot a few minutes later was past the post.

5 minutes to go and Scarione did score, but the referee adjudged that he had used his upper arm to control the ball before shooting.

Rize had one last chance but Pazdan’s challenge on the attacker distracted him and he shot over.

In time added-on, Rodrigues had another chance, but his shot was saved.    Then in the last action of the match, Rodrigues was brought down unceremoniously by a Rize defender who received a Red Card for his troubles  !

So, despite the 3 points, Ankaragucu stay rooted to 2^nd bottom place in the league, but on the same points as the team above them, Konya, who play Fener.....spit.....bahce tonight.    However, Ankaragucu is only 5 points behind Gencler in 11^th position so are still in the fight to avoid the drop.

Next Saturday, Ankaragucu travel to Gaziantep KO 2pm.   Gazi sit in mid-table in 9^th position so it goes without saying that this is another chance for Ankaragucu to rack-up another 3 points in their season long relegation fight.

Bring it on !!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI CONSOLIDATE THEIR LEAGUE POSITION !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

As I mentioned in last week’s report, the likely outcome of last night’s match would probably be a draw, with both teams willing to accept such a scenario.   However, it may well be that Antalya was the happier team last night as they snatched a point from almost defeat near the end.

GENCLERBIRLIGI          1               Antalyaspor          1

Sio made the breakthrough for Gencler shortly after the resumption of the 2^nd half and it looked like Gencler had earned a valuable 3 points.   However, 8 minutes before the final whistle, Podolski scored the equaliser to keep super league survival hopes alive for both teams.

The most important priority for Gencler at the moment is to keep winning points and to keep space between them and the relegation zone  !

Gencler can’t relax just yet with only 5 points separating them from 3^rd bottom Kasimpasa, and 9 matches left to keep it that way.

Gencler face yet another crucial match on Saturday when they travel to Denizli who are on the same points total but with a slightly better goal difference.   Denizli will be all fired-up after winning a point last Saturday in Kadikoy against Fener......spit.....bahce.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, Ankaragucu will be desperate to beat Rize and join Kasimpasa on 23 points.

It is long overdue for both Ankara teams to make it a winning weekend  !!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU STUCK IN THE MIRE !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Similar to last week against Sivas, Ankaragucu scorned scoring chances last night with the main perpetrators being Orgill, Faty and Rodrigues.     It will be impossible for Ankaragucu to move out of the relegation zone if they refuse to take these goal scoring chances.   Chance after chance went begging  !!

It was a scrappy match with 31 fouls and 8 yellow cards.  Also, the referee, Arda Kardesler, had a shocker and I’m at a loss to understand how he managed to achieve his FIFA badge.   A disgraceful and biased performance from him all slanted towards Besiktas.    He will have to live with his conscience  !!

Besiktas          2              ANKARAGUCU        1

Team – Ricardo, Kitsiou, Kulusic, Pazdan, Atilla, Lukasik, Faty, Sedat, Michalak, Rodrigues and Orgill

Substitutes – Saba, Scarione and Ilhan

The kankas met-up in The Alerta Bar – Maniac Kanka Harun, Apple Kanka Erman, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and Haluk Kanka.

Besiktas almost opened the scoring in the 3^rd minute when they broke at speed down the right and when the cross came in there were 3 attackers unmarked waiting to plant the ball in the back of the net.    However, the cross was behind all 3 of them and the ball was cleared.

However, just one minute later and a controversial decision which changed the course of the match.   Faty made a half-hearted and clumsy tackle inside the box and the Besiktas player made a theatrical dive to the ground in death throws.    The referee pointed to the spot despite requests from Sedat and Faty to check the VAR.

Burak stepped up and sent Ricardo the wrong way.    Even some of the Besiktas supporters in the Alerta were looking a bit sheepish at the decision !!!

The goal inspired Besiktas into further attacks and Burak missed two good chances by firing past the post when in good positions.    Also, Boyd missed one too by firing past the post.

It was then the turn of Ankaragucu to scorn chances when Orgill missed a cross from the right when all he had to do was connect with the ball and it would have gone in.

Approaching half time and another controversial decision by the referee when Sedat was brought down in the box by Karius and the referee waved play on.    Disgraceful decision especially after seeing the replay.

5 minutes to go before the break and at last a decision for Ankaragucu when a free kick was given just outside the box in the centre.   Up stepped Rodrigues and the ball went flying well over the bar similar to his free kicks last week against Sivas.    When will Rodrigues ever hit the target again me asks ??!!

Battle Damaged Kanka Damon’s comment at half time was ............  ‘the only thing Besiktas have that Ankaragucu doesn’t have is ................ a striker like Burak’   !!!

The 2^nd half resumed with Ankaragucu still intent on attacking but time and again they were caught dithering on the ball and being easily dispossessed allowing Besiktas to break at speed.   Thankfully their strikers were copying Rodrigues and firing off target.

Orgill finally scored but his goal was disallowed after being in an offside position when he received the ball.

15 minutes to go and Faty had a great chance to find the equaliser when he was put through with only Karius to beat but he shot past the post.

Approaching the final whistle and it looked like Orgill went to sleep when he passed to a colleague on the left but remained stationary while the ball was returned with no Orgill in sight.    Sloppy and unforgivable  !!

2 minutes to go and Ankaragucu gave a present to Besiktas.   Pazdan was caught napping and lost control of the ball to Ljajic who fired in past a helpless Richardo for No2.

Into time added on and the referee decided it was time to compensate Ankaragucu for all his wrong calls and give them a consolation penalty after he consulted VAR.     Why didn’t he consult VAR before in the previous two controversial moments of the match  ??!!

Up stepped Ilhan to make no mistake.    However, it was too late to do any further damage, although Rodrigues did have a chance to start an attack but he was easily dispossessed.

Next Friday is crunch time for Ankaragucu when the play Rize at home in a crucial bottom of the league clash.   Even winning this match may not lift Ankaragucu out of the relegation zone but it will go a long way to restoring confidence for the more difficult matches to come in the run-in.

We have not given up hope of avoiding relegation ............. yet  !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI CRASH BACK TO EARTH !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Gencler was brought back to earth and reality on Sunday night in Istan.....spit....bul when they tasted defeat at the hands of a resurgent Galata....spit....saray team who look in determined mood to retain the league title.

Galatasaray       3            GENCLERBIRLIGI         0

Team – Nordfeldt, Ahmet, Flavio, Toure, Halil, Berat, Yasin, Candeias, Baiano, Sio and Sessegnon

Substitutes – Diallo, Nadir and Rahmetullah

Galatasaray was quick off the mark with Donk putting them ahead after only 3 minutes.   Falcao added a 2^nd on the half hour mark and then put the match beyond Gencler half way through the 2^nd half.

One man doesn’t make a team, but ........ Falcao seems to be the secret weapon behind Galatasaray’s recent form which has taken them to the top places to challenge early leaders Trabzon and Basaksehir.

Gencler retain 11^th position in the league, but can’t relax just yet.    With 10 matches remaining they are only 7 points ahead of the relegation zone.   So, next Monday’s home match against an improving Antalya team is in the crucial category for both teams.    In my opinion, it has a draw written all over it, which, if they are honest, will probably satisfy both teams.

The run-in to the end of the season has all the hallmarks of being ‘nail-biting’ at the top and bottom of the league  !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU UNDONE IN THE END BY A QUESTIONABLE RED CARD !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

There were a poignant few minutes prior to the kick off when the names of all the Turkish soldiers killed recently in Syria were read out over the loudspeaker system to respectful applause from both sets of supporters.

Another full house for yet another critical Ankaragucu match with even the away end full to capacity.   There was also a love-in between all the Ankaragucu tribunes and the Sivas end which more-or-less continued throughout the match – a pleasant change from the normal hatred which flows back and forward, especially against the Istan....spit...bul teams.

Unfortunately, Ankaragucu couldn’t cope with the Sivas onslaught in the final 20 minutes of the match when the 10 men finally succumbed, just as we were hoping to win at least one point.

ANKARAGUCU          0                 Sivasspor          3

Team – Ricardo, Kitsiou, Pazdan, Kulusic (captain), Cebrail, Michalak, Lukasik, Stanojevic, Saba, Rodrigues and Orgill

Substitutes – Orkan, Ilhan and Faty

Battle Damaged Kanka and I met at the Cay Cafe outside the Metro AVM for lunch prior to entering the Stadium, where we were joined by Murat Kaya, his son and Ismet Bey.

The first half was fairly even with both teams scorning chances to open the scoring.   Even the 2^nd Yellow Card for Stanojevic in the 35^th minute didn’t interrupt Ankaragucu’s game plan of attacking the Sivas goal.

However, it was Sivas who were first to threaten in the 11^th minute when their No8 received a pass on the left.   He cut inside and sent his shot just past the right post.

6 minutes later it was Kitsiou to the rescue as he headed a dangerous free kick clear.

Ankaragucu’s first serious attempt on goal came 2 minutes later when Ankaragucu was awarded a free kick on the right.   The ball broke to Rodrigues who was unmarked beyond the left post, but his shot went past the left post.

4 minutes later and the Sivas No9 should have scored, but his header near the penalty spot was well saved by Ricardo.

5 minutes later and another dangerous Sivas cross into the box was hooked over the bar by Pazdan with Sivas attackers lurking behind him.

At the other end, Rodrigues had another chance but his shot was well over the bar with his weaker left foot.

At this point on the half hour mark, it was Stanojevic, and the Referee, who changed the course of the match by firstly, Stanojevic making an aggressive and clumsy challenge on a Sivas player, which rightly received a yellow card.    Then 5 minutes later he challenged another Sivas player near the touchline in front of Kapali and the referee produced another yellow followed by a RED.    We couldn;t see the incident clearly from our position in Maraton, but Nadeem saw the TV replay and said the referee was conned by the theatrics of the Sivas player who went down in ‘supposed agony’  !!

I have to say that the referee seemed to reach for the card immediately.   Speaking as an ex-Class 1 referee, we were always advised to take a second or two ‘thinking time’ before producing a card, if possible.    Perhaps Mr Ozturk would benefit from a few words of wisdom from the Turkish Referees Association and their senior referees  !!

Anyway, Ankaragucu continued to attack and Saba had the best chance of the match 4 minutes after the sending off to put Ankaragucu into the lead.   He was put through on the left and with only the goalkeeper to beat, he shot straight at him when a cool head was called for.

Half time, and a chance for Mustafa Bey to rally the players and give them some belief that they could take something from this match.

All credit to the 10 men who came out with all guns blazing for the first 15 minutes of the 2^nd half.   Rodrigues had a chance to head in, but he miraculously missed the ball and the danger was cleared.   Then Saba had another chance when he carried the ball into the box, side-stepped 2 defenders and shot just past the post.

Then came the turning point in the 68^th minute and what a calamitous goal it was too.   Two Sivas corners in succession, and from the 2^nd one there was a scramble for a loose ball in the crowded area and the ball was bundled in.   Our thoughts at this point of salvaging a point evaporated  !

3 minutes later it was 2-0 after a cock-up in the defence when the ball was gifted to a Sivas attacker who was bought down in the box before he could get his shot in.   Ricardo saved brilliantly from Mert’s shot, but the rebound off Ricardo was tucked away by Mert as he followed-up his shot.   Rough justice for Ricardo  !

Sivas was now in total control of the match for the first time and the Ankaragucu players looked knackered and shell shocked.   Sivas then started to spread the ball around and run the clock down.

With the clock on 89 minutes, we decided to head for the exit and so we missed the final nail in the coffin when Yatabare added the 3^rd in the 90^th minute.   Perhaps Nadeem can give us the details of that goal in the comments section  ?!

So, what now ?    With a trip to Beshiktrash coming up on Friday there is not much room for optimism, but it’s not a done deal yet.

Ankaragucu sit in 2^nd bottom position, but are only 2 points behind 4^th bottom Konya.   Therefore, taking something from Friday’s match becomes crucial.

There is no doubting Ankaragucu’s fighting spirit, but they must put their chances away.   Too many goal scoring attempts missed yesterday and too many passes going astray.   Much work to be done in the Training Ground this week for sure  !!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim