ANKARAGUCU DISRESPECT THE TURKISH CUP !!!

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

It was a sad day in the history of Ankaragucu when they sent a 2^nd String Team to play Super League Sivas in the 5^th Round of the Turkish Cup last night with only 3 recognised 1^st Team players in the squad (Ariyibi, Murat and Zahid).

 

I can’t understand the reasoning behind this decision, especially as it is the only prestigious Cup Competition in the football calendar, and Ankaragucu don’t have another league match until the 8^th of January  !

 

Shame on the management for disrespecting this famous competition   !!!

 

I don’t intend to criticise any of the players who played last night who gave their all within their capabilities.    Also, with the Sivas team weakened by international commitments to Africa, it was a golden opportunity to progress further and perhaps have some money spinning cup fixtures in the following rounds  !

 

It leaves me wondering what other unbelievable decisions this management team will make before the end of the season  !!

 

Sivasspor              2                    ANKARAGUCU           1

 

Team – Bahadir, Murat, Alperen, Erdi, Yasin, Ulas Sahverdi, Aatif, Geraldo, Ariyibi and Cem

 

Substitutes – Imdat, Yarabay, Zahid, Osmanoglu and Durak

 

As for the match last night, it was really all about how long it would take Sivas to open the scoring, and that eventually happened after 18 minutes.

 

It was a classic striker’s headed goal by the impressive James who bulleted the ball in from a right wing cross.

 

The same player put the match to bed shortly after the resumption on 56 minutes when he exercised a piece of predatory skill to flick in an angled shot at the near post from a left wing cross with an Ankaragucu defender and Bahadir deceived.

 

15 minutes later it was almost 3, but Bahadir made an acrobatic save to prevent a certain goal from an exquisite lob.

 

Ankaragucu grabbed their consolation goal near the end with an excellent solo goal from Sahverdi who sent a shot from just outside the box in the centre to inside the left post with the goalkeeper only managing to help the ball in with his fingertips.

 

The Ankaragucu players must put this match behind them now and focus on reclaiming top spot in the league from Umraniye.

 

The management team and players can possibly restore some pride in the Club with a consistent run of wins, and to end the season as League Champions   !!!

 

That begins on Saturday 8^th January 2022 at home to 10^th placed Tuzla.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragücü 2-1 Keciorengucu match report!

 

Ankaragücü got the job done as they took all 3 points against a spirited Keciorengucu side who will be disappointed to have walked away empty handed.

Team - Akin, Erdem, Sinan, Yusuf, Yasin, Ishak, Ali Kaan, Zahid, Owusu, Murat, Eren

Subs - Bahadir, Erdi, Abdullah, Ulas, Sahverdi, Atakan, Aatif, Ariyibi, Sitiki Ferdi

It was a disastrous start for Ankaragücü when Keciorengucu took the lead after only 3 minutes. A rare mistake by Yusuf allowed Eze in on goal and the big Nigerian striker struck the ball with the outside of his foot into the top corner.

It took 40 minutes for the next chance of the game and again it was that man Eze but this time Akin made a great save from the shot from distance.

A few minutes later Ankaragücü were level. A good ball into the box from Erdem was met by Sinan who just managed to get his leg on the end of the ball which went into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Half Time 1-1

A couple of minutes into the 2nd half and Eren almost put Ankaragücü in the lead but for a good save by Gungor. From the resulting corner Eze almost scored an own goal but the ball was cleared off the line. 

Ankaragücü took the lead on the 62nd minute after excellent play from Owusu who outpaced his man down the left hand side before crossing the ball for Eren, and the big Swiss striker made no mistake as he placed the ball past Gungor to make it 2-1.

Owusu should have finished the game off in the 87th minute as he was put through on goal but he shot straight at Gungor.

Ankaragücü held on for the 3 points and go into the winter break in 2nd just behind leaders Umraniyespor. Erzerumspor are in 3rd on the same amount of points and it will be important that Faruk Koca is able to lift the transfer ban and secure one of these automatic promotion spots.

Although Ankaragücü won it was another lacklustre performance and yet again Mustafa Dalci showed he is only there to play Emre Yildiz players. None of the talented youngsters got any minutes but we again saw opportunities for the likes of Abdullah, Sahverdi and Aatif who have showed nothing in their Ankaragücü careers.

Next up is the trip to Sivas in the Turkish Cup 5th round on Thursday. Ankaragücü will need a big performance if they are to take anything from the Super Lig side.

GENCLERBIRLIGI - ALMOST, BUT NOT QUITE !

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.                                                                     

 

Gencler almost snatched the equaliser near the end which was no more than their 2^nd half efforts deserved.    However, in the end, they paid the price for a lack lustre performance in the 1^st half.

 

Umraniye was good value for their half time performance and looked the more dangerous going forward with Gencler looking lethargic.     However, it was the opposite in the 2^nd half with more or less non-stop attacking from Gencler, but despite waves of attacks, they couldn’t find the equaliser.

 

Umraniye             3                         GENCLERBIRLIGI          1

 

Team – Adiyaman, Kerem, Gokhan, Arda, Mert, Hrechyshkin, Musa Sahindere, Tshibola, Aksel, Baris and Lima

 

Substitutes – Eleke, Omurcan and Altiparmak

 

Umraniye was straight into the attack from the kick-off and in the first 4 minutes Adiyaman made two crucial saves to prevent Umraniye taking an early lead.

 

However, there was little he could do to prevent the opener after 10 minutes.     Gokhan made a surreptitious and unnecessary trip on an Umraniye attacker near the goal line to concede a penalty.     Mrsic rolled/stroked the ball inside the right post with Adiyaman diving in the opposite direction.

 

On the half hour mark and it was 2, with a goal out of nothing, but well executed.    A throw-in on the right was back-heeled into the path of Gultekin on the 18 yard line who shot inside the right post with Adiyaman rooted to the spot in the centre and off his line.

 

It was a different Gencler in the 2^nd half with an obvious more determined attitude and chasing every ball, and it only took 15 minutes for them to play themselves back into the match.    Good work from Eleke on the right to avoid 2 tackles and take the ball to the goal line.    A perfect cut-back for Lima to stroke the ball in.

 

Gencler was all fired-up and attacked relentlessly looking for the equaliser.    It almost came in the 90^th minute when Eleke’s goal bound shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.

 

3 minutes later and Gencler paid the price for the all-out attack when they were caught on the break.    The long ball was played to Taskan who outpaced Gokhan and drove a fierce shot past Adiyaman.

 

Next weekend there is a New Year break and then Gencler face another difficult away match against Eyup who is challenging at the top of the league.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI CRUISE TO AN EMPHATIC VICTORY !

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

It was a poor Menemen side (only one point above the relegation zone) which turned-up in Ankara today.     Even before the RED card after 24 minutes they were struggling to enter the Gencler final 3^rd.

 

At the final whistle they had recorded zero shots on target and Adiyaman didn’t have to make a save in the entire match.    The Gencler back four kept him warm by sending some back passes to him, perhaps just to check and make sure he was still there and awake   !!!

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI             5                     Menemen             0

 

Team – Adiyaman, Mert, Arda, Gokhan, Kerem, Hrechyshkin, Baris, Aksel, Tshibola, Sahindere and Lima

 

Substitutes – Sallallich, Kula, Omurcan, Lualua and Muhammed

 

It only took 5 minutes for Gencler to open the scoring.    A corner was swung in from the right and was met with a powerful header by Mert which went in at the right post assisted by a defender guarding the right post.

 

It was almost two 3 minutes later when a cross came in from the right and Lima sent his header to the top right, but the goalkeeper pulled off a great save.

 

Gomes was then shown a straight RED after a tussle with Kerem, and after the ball had been played away, Gomes struck Kerem and pushed him to the ground.   

 

Menemen entered the Genler final 3^rd a few times but didn’t know what to do with the ball which in every instance was cleared by the Gencler defence.

 

Gencler was straight back into attack in the 2^nd half and Tshibola almost made it two after 5 minutes in, but his shot hit the post and was cleared.

 

However, it came 5 minutes later with a swift Gencler attack which cut the Menemen defence to shreds.    The move started on the left and was switched to the right.    The cut-back came in and Lima was able to stroke the ball in unchallenged.

 

6 minutes later it was 3 with a similar goal.     The cut-back again came in from the right and Lima was on hand to side-foot the ball in via the under-side of the bar.

 

15 minutes later and yet another cut-back for Lima to side-foot in for No4.

 

2 minutes into time added on and it was 5 when Man of the Match Tshibola sneaked in between two defenders to head in from the free kick on the right.

 

A clinical performance against a poor Menemen team which moves Gencler up to 7^th in the league.     They will have to produce a similar performance next Sunday when they travel to league leaders Umraniye, and in the process do Ankaragucu a favour by bringing all 3 points back to Ankara.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU RE-IGNITE THEIR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS AMBITIONS !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu delivered a positive response to last week’s abomination in Samsun, and re-stated their league champions credentials in Bolu last night  !

 

It was a pleasing performance against a useful Bolu team and in appalling weather conditions with continuous sleet/rain.

 

This win moves Ankaragucu back up into 2^nd top position, albeit having played one match more than Umraniye and Erzurum, and the battle for supremacy at the top of the league continues !!

 

Boluspor              0                   ANKARAGUCU          2

 

Team – Akin, Pinto, Sinan, Yusuf, Erdem, Zahid, Ali Kaan, Ishak, Murat, Owusu and Eren

 

Substitutes – Ariyibi, Sahverdi, Imdat, Aatif and Geraldo

 

Ankaragucu went straight into attack from the whistle and almost scored with their first attack when Ali Kaan’s goal bound shot from just outside the box was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper.

 

However, 4 minutes later and Ankaragucu was ahead.    A free kick on the right was floated into the back post where Sinan met it with a glancing header for the crucial first goal.

 

4 minutes later and it was almost 2 when the goalkeeper pulled off yet another great save to deny Owusu’s goal bound shot.

 

15 minutes in and Murat almost added the 2^nd after some neat inter-passing by Ankaragucu, but his shot was blocked by a defender.

 

Bolu almost grabbed the equaliser near the end of the 1^st half when Kasongo’s header was saved by Akin, and just prior to the whistle, a shot went narrowly passed the post.

 

A fair reflection of the 1^st half with us kankas in optimistic mood for the 2^nd half.

 

The 2^nd half was only 5 minutes old when Ankaragucu added the 2^nd goal.    A sweeping move down the right, the cross, which was dumied by Eren for Zahid to volley in for a great goal.

 

Man of the Match, Zahid is fast becoming the ‘Midfield General’, a position which has been vacant for some considerable time.  He also chips-in with goals on a regular basis !   He and Erdem are the keys to continuing this winning sequence and hopefully end the season at the top of the league  !!!

 

Approaching the end of the match and Bolu was awarded a penalty when 4 defenders surrounded a Bolu attacker in the box when there was no apparent danger.    The referee decided that one of the defenders brought the attacker down which was questionable  !     Anyway, the penalty was a ‘Ciftci special’, ie, side footed with no direction or pace straight at Akin who probably had the easiest save of his career   !!

 

So, hopefully Coach Mustafa Dalci’s position is safe and Ankaragucu can continue to go on a consistent winning run to avoid disruptions to the Coaching staff and the team   !!!

 

Ankaragucu will be in action again next Sunday 26^th December for the 2^nd Ankara Derby against Keciorengucu.     We now await for the pressure to tell on Umraniye and Erzurum as they hopefully begin to drop points   !!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI RUE MISSED CHANCES !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler have only themselves to blame for allowing Erzurum back into the match in the 2^nd half today after missing some good chances in the 1^st half.   Also, Adiyaman wasn’t trouble once in the 1^st half.

 

However, it was a different story in the 2^nd half when Erzurum awoke from their slumber  !!

 

Erzurumspor           2                GENCLERBIRLIGI          0

 

Team – Adiyaman, Aksel, Gokhan, Arda, Omurcan, Kerem, Sahindere, Tshibola, Hrechyshkin, Baris and Lima

 

Substitutes – Lualua, Eleke, Metehan and Sallallich

 

It took until the 16^th minute for the first goal attempt by both teams........... so boring, especially by Erzurum’s back 4 who spent most of the 1^st half passing to each other across the field and back to the goalkeeper.    Sometimes, they decided to relieve the monotony by hoofing the ball up field to be swallowed by the Gencler defenders   !!

 

Kerem almost opened the scoring in the 16^th minute when he was put through in the centre but in the process of heading in, he fouled the goalkeeper.

 

6 minutes later a cross came in for Lima in the centre just inside the box and unmarked, but he contrived to blast the ball well over the bar.

 

A few minutes later and another opportunity was wasted by Sahindere when he shot just past the left post.

 

It was a different Erzurum who came out for the 2^nd half when they went straight into attack and Emircan sent 2 goal bound shots in which were well saved by Adiyaman.    

 

Gencler should have heeded the warning, but they could do little about the opening goal in the 63^rd minute.    A great through pass from Novikovas (an excellent midfield general !!) to split the Gencler defence and allowed Emircan to run onto the pass from the left and fire the ball into the top right.

 

6 minutes later and the killer goal saw Gencler heads drop.    Excellent skill on the left wing by Suleyman and an astute pass inside to Samuel who evaded a tackle and fired the ball inside the right post.

 

This result propelled Erzurum to the top of the league 1 point ahead of Umraniye and 1 point ahead of Ankaragucu and with a game in hand  !!

 

Gencler can try to get their season back on track next Sunday 19 December when they host Menemen.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU BLOWN AWAY ON THE BLACK SEA COAST !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu returned empty handed from the Black Sea coast and spurned a great opportunity of going clear at the top of the league.

 

The advantage is now in the hands of Erzurum and Umraniye, but Ankaragucu can have no complaints after a poor performance last night.

 

They were out-thought and out-fought by an impressive Samsun team who gave Ankaragucu no respite, especially in the 2^nd half when they attacked relentlessly.

 

Samsunspor            2                    ANKARAGUCU            0

 

Team – Bahadir, Pinto, Yusuf, Erdi, Murat, Abdullah, Ishak, Zahid, Ariyibi, Cem and Owusu

 

Substitutes – Eren and Ciftci

 

The 1^st half was a ‘yawn’ and I was guilty of predicting a 0-0 final score !       However, I should have anticipated the absence of our captain, Erdem, would have an influence on the match with the Ankaragucu defence all at sea in the 2^nd half and time after time resorting to hoofing high balls out of defence for Owusu to chase.    The Ankaragucu defence has been the Achillies Heel for a few seasons but at least Erdem’s presence has stemmed the leaks.   Hopefully he returns, and ..............soooooon  !!!

 

There were only two moments of drama in the 1^st half.    First, Owusu’s goal bound shot from inside the box was acrobatically tipped over the bar for a corner.   Moments later, a slack back pass by Erdi was intercepted by an alert Samsun attacker, but fortunately Bahadir had anticipated the danger and was able to smother the ball before the shot was made.

 

Ankaragucu was first to threaten in the 2^nd half when Owusu and Ariyibi combined well to set-up a chance for Zahid, but his shot from outside the box was well saved.

 

Halfway through the 2^nd half and Samsun took control of the match with Man of the Match, Bahadir,  performing heroics in goal with save after save after shots raining-in on his goal.      However, his was powerless to prevent the inevitable goal after 70 minutes when an astute pass was made from the centre to Yasin who had made a run past Erdi on the right to shoot inside the left post.

 

It was still all Samsun, although Eren did have a goal bound header well saved by the goalkeeper and Ariyibi sent a screamer of a shot just past the right post.

 

Into time added on and Ankaragucu was unable to escape from their own half.    A series of corners by Samsun resulted in Bahadir again making saves, but the 3^rd consecutive corner eluded him when Berk out-jumped two defenders to give Bahadir no chance.

 

A depressing end to the match with Samsun giving the Ankaragucu defence  a torrid time.

 

There was a rumour last night that the Ankaragucu Coach, Mustafa Dalci, had resigned from his position, but I am awaiting confirmation of this.     

 

The dark clouds have moved from Samsun to Ankara    !!!!

 

Ankaragucu will be in action again next Saturday 18 December when they travel to mid-table Bolu.      Prior to that, Erzurum, who are 2 points behind Ankaragucu with 2 games in hand, are at home to Gencler on Tuesday.      We are now in the position of hoping other teams will assist us to stay in touch with the leaders   !!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI – ON THE MOVE ............ UPWARDS !

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler moved into the top half of the league last Friday night.

 

I was unable to watch the match due to Christmas festivities, but from what I can gather, it seems it was a boring match until Mert grabbed the only goal of the match 2 minutes before the final whistle.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI            1               Denizlispor          0

 

Team – Adiyaman, Omurcan, Arda, Mert, Kerem, Gokhan, Baris, Hrechyshkin, Tshibola, Sahindere and Alitparmark

 

Substitutes – Kula, Sallallich and Lualua

 

Denizli had zero shots on target and probably set-up to win a point since they sit in 3^rd bottom position in the league  !

 

There are some mid-week matches coming up and Gencler can do Ankaragucu a big favour by taking points from Erzurum when they travel there on Tuesday.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu 2-0 Balikesirspor Match report

 

It was a pretty comfortable 3 points for Ankaragucu last night as they ran out 2-0 winners against bottom of the table Balikesirspor. Goals from Zahid and Murat sealed the 3 points to send Ankaragucu back to the Top of the table although the teams below them do have games in hand. 

Team - Bahadir, Erdem, Erdi, Yusuf, Pinto, Ishak, Ali Kaan, Zahid, Murat, Ariyibi, Owusu

Subs - Akin, Sinan, Yasin, Abdullah, Ulas, Arif Emre, Sahverdi, Cem, Eren, Sitiki

Mustafa Dalci made a few changes with Bahadir replacing Akin in goal after his impressive performance in the cup match against Nazilli. Erdi came into defence for Sinan and Owusu was preferred up front ahead of Eren.

The first chance of the game came for Ankaragucu after an excellent cross from Erdem was met by the head of Ali Kaan but Ozmen made an outstanding save to keep the score level. 

The game was turning into a bit of a bore fest with neither team threatening in the first half until Nwankwo was red carded for the visitors on the 33rd minute. A high foot was judged to be dangerous play on Ishak and the referee didn't hesitate to send the Nigerian off. 

Just before half time Ariyibi took advantage of a mistake at the back as he curled his shot from the edge of the box but Ozman made another good save. Murat and Ishak both had shots from distance just go past the post and also saved by Ozman.

Then came the opening goal, Pinto played the ball inside for Zahid who saw his shot take a deflection and this time there was nothing Ozman could do as Ankaragucu took the lead. 

Half Time 1-0

Into the second and Ariyibi went on one of his runs as he skipped past 2 players before seeing his shot come back off the post. Murat then put in a great cross for Ali Kaan but his header went wide when he should have scored. 

Owusu Kwabena was having an excellent match and he went past a couple of players but his shot went wide and minutes later a brilliant piece of skill as he beat is man before volleying just over the bar. Ankargucu also hit the bar from a corner into the box and it looked like it was Yusuf at the back post who went close. 

Minutes before the end Ankaragucu put the game to bed as Pinto played a nice ball through for Murat who finished brilliantly with the outside of his foot into the top corner. 

Three points for Ankaragucu and some good performances in particular from Zahid and Owusu. But we also need to remember Balikeseirspor are bottom of the league with only 7 points and played 61 minutes with 10 men.

A much tougher game awaits this weekend as Ankaragucu travel to Samsunspor! 

GENCLERBIRLIGI – ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY ?!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler seem to have recovered from their early season disasters and have slowly but surely climbed away from the relegation zone in the past few weeks.

 

After yesterday’s victory in Bandirma, they are now firmly entrenched in mid-table and only 8 points from the leader at the top of the league.

 

Bandirma              1                       GENCLERBIRLIGI            2

 

Team – Adiyaman, Kerem, Gokhan, Arda, Omurcan, Sahindere, Hrechyshkin, Aksel, Lima, Baris and Eleke

 

Substitutes – Byelyayer, Ulusoy Mert, Metehan and Altiparmak

 

It was a ‘Celebration Day’ in The Alerta Bar to welcome Cider Kanka, John Angliss, back to Ankara on a brief visit, and we were able to watch only snatches of the action in between our catch-up news and partaking in ‘special refreshments’   !         Unfortunately, due to the early kick off only Kaleci Kanka Tansu and I could be there, but it was a very enjoyable Kanka Gathering  !!

 

We look forward already to his next visit and hope that he can schedule it around an Ankaragucu match  !!

 

I have to confess that I didn’t see much of the 1^st half, which was a little pedestrian in any case.     The only action of note was a bullet of a shot from Hrechyshkin from about 30 yards out which the goalkeeper got down well to save as the ball was heading just inside the left post.

 

However, the match exploded into life in the 60^th minute when a Bandirma player was fouled inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot.     There were lots of protests from Gencler and a few yellow cards brandished.    The protests proved pointless as Adiyaman made an excellent save to prevent Bandirma going ahead.

 

10 minutes later and Gencler punished Bandirma for their profligacy when Arda opened the scoring with a great header from a corner on the right.

 

With 10 minutes to go there were further protests from Gencler when the referee awarded a 2^nd penalty after Adiyaman brought down a Bandirma attacker.    A RED card was shown to a member of the Coaching Staff on the touchline.    Manaj took the penalty and sent Adiyaman the wrong way for the equaliser.

That was it, or so we thought.     However, with only 5 minutes remaining and Bandirma pressing for the winner, Gencler made a quick break from inside their own half.     The Bandirma defence was caught out and Lima, in support of the breakaway, had all the time in the world to stroke the ball in for the winner with the goalkeeper exposed and helpless.

 

Gencler will be at home next Friday night for the visit of Denizlispor, and with another victory, could move into the top half of the league.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu 3-0 Nazilli match report!

 

Ankaragucu progressed into the next round of the Turkish Cup after a comfortable 3-0 win over Nazilli this afternoon. Kwabena Owusu was the star of the show grabbing a double on his return from suspension. Despite the result, Ankargucu fans are still frustrated at the direction the club is going in with yet again Mustafa Dalci ignoring the clubs promising academy players apart from a 15 minute cameo from Ulas Yilmaz.

Team - Bahadir, Murat, Alperen, Erdi, Yasin, Abdullah, Ali Kaan, Geraldo, Cem, Owusu

Subs - Mert, Sinan, Ulas, Ishak, Zahid, Atakan, Arif Emre, Gboly, Yasir, Sitiki

It was another near enough empty stadium in the Turkish Cup with the TFF playing these games mid afternoon when everyone is at work. The few Ankaragucu fans who did make it were unhappy at the usual names of Abdullah, Geraldo and Aatif finding their place in the starting line up. Geraldo has now played for the club for 2 years and hasn't registered a single goal or assist to his name, a quite staggering stat for a winger. 

The first half was a bit of a bore fest with neither team taking control of the game. It was Nazilli who came closest to scoring when through on goal but Bahadir made a good save in the Ankaragucu goal.

Into the second half and Gboly and Zahid came on for the useless Geraldo and Aatif. Ishak came on a short time after for Abdullah and instantly Ankaragucu looked a better team. 

The opening goal came from the penalty spot when the Nazilli defender hand balled in the penalty box. Up stepped Owusu to make it 1-0. A few minutes later he doubled the scoring after a great cross from Cem which Owusu headed into the back of the net. 

Ulas Yilmaz showed nice feet in the box before he was brought down late on and another penalty was awarded. Ishak stepped up this time to make it 3-0. 

Onwards the the next round we go as we await to see who Ankargucu ill meet in the draw!

GENCLERBIRLIGI EXIT THE TURKISH CUP IN THE 4th ROUND !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Shock of the Round so far   !     Gencler bow out of the Turkish Cup to 3^rd League minnows Mardin after extra time and penalties in Ankara this afternoon.

 

It was not chosen as one of the TV matches, so I have no details of the match except the basics.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI         1                   Mardin           1

 

Mardin win 4-2 on penalties after Altiparmak and Abdullah miss their penalties for Gencler.

 

Team – Ramazan, Abdullah, Byelyayev, Muhammed, Sallallich, Baran, Altiparmak, Mert K, Ulusoy, Musa and Furkan

 

Substitutes – Berkay, Sercan, Gokhan and Eralp

 

Gencler opened the scoring in the 20^th minute through Abdullah, and Mustafa equalised 13 minutes later.

 

It should be borne in mind that Gencler Management only included a few of the 1^st Team Squad while obviously keeping and eye on Saturday’s League Match away to Bandirma.

 

Gencler may be in mid-table, but they are only 3 points above the relegation zone  !!

 

Ankaragucu will be in Cup action on Thursday afternoon, so watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU SPURN A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY !!!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu spurned a golden opportunity in Bornova last night to cement their place at the top of the league.        However, they remain 2^nd top ............ for now ....... but the chasing pack took closer order to the top 3.

 

With Umraniye and Eyupspor both losing over the weekend, this was a chance for Ankaragucu to make a statement of intent after last week’s dismal performance in Adana.    Therefore, Ankaragucu must now look over their shoulder and perhaps see Erzurum and Bandirma  overtaking them before Ankaragucu play their next match.

 

Bandirma is only 2 points behind the top 3 with a game in hand, and Erzurum is also only 2 points behind with 2 games in hand   !     Therefore, the significance of last night’s abomination is clear for all to see.     The pressure mounts   !!!

 

Altinordu               2                   ANKARAGUCU         1

 

Team – Akin, Erdem, Yusuf, Sinan, Pinto, Zahid, Ishak, Ali Kaan, Murat, Ariyibi and Eren

 

Substitutes – Geraldo, Aatif and Abdullah

 

Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I settled down to watch the match in the Bira Park Bar full of confidence.      Hmmmmm, when will we learn to control our emotions   ??!!

 

There were two narrow escapes for Altinordu in the first 15 minutes.     Great play by Ariyibi on the left when he avoided several tackles and worked himself into the box.    His shot was destined for just inside the left post, but the goalkeeper blocked the shot with his knees !    Then following a corner on the left, Ankaragucu had the ball in the net, but Eren had impeded the goalkeeper and the foul was quite rightly given !

 

For the remainder of the 1^st half, Ankaragucu seemed to take their foot off the pedal and allowed Altinordu into the match.    They had 3 opportunities with shots whizzing past the post, across the goalmouth with no takers, and Akin making a crucial save.

 

The 2^nd half was only 2 minutes old when Ankaragucu decided to shoot themselves in the foot  !!   An Altinordu attacker received a pass just outside the box on the left and took the ball into the penalty area only to be foolishly impeded with a body check by an Ankaragucu defender when there appeared no apparent immediate danger.

 

The penalty was clinically despatched by Ahmet with a shot down the centre with Akin diving to his left.

 

Ankaragucu’s response was to attack and 4 minutes later they almost found the equaliser after nice play by Ariyibi on the right.    He took the ball to the goal line and cut the ball back for the inrushing Murat, but the ball was played slightly behind Murat and his shot was skied over the bar.

 

However, the equaliser came 5 minutes later and was definitely goal of the match.    A sublime pass from Zahid to Ali Kaan gave him the opportunity to shoot on the right of the goals to inside the left post for an excellent goal.

 

The 2^nd goal almost arrived 4 minutes later but a volleyed effort just inside the box hit the post and was cleared by the Altinordu defence.

 

We were still confident that Ankaragucu would find the winner until Ahmet struck again in the 66^th minute to put the match to bed.    A fast Altinordu break on the right caught the Ankaragucu defence out of position.    Ahmet latched onto the ball and managed to squeeze a shot in between Akin and a defender who collided with each other in a defensive mix-up.

 

Ankaragucu lost the plot from this point as Altinordu gradually took control of the match again and ran the clock down.    

 

If I have to point the finger, it will be at Mustafa Bey   !!!      I am mystified why he decided to take Ariyibi and Zahid off in the 2nd half who were always likely to score or create something.    The least said about Geraldo coming on ........... the better   !!!

 

I’m tempted to say ............... Ankaragucu will be favourites to win their next match against bottom team Balikesirspor at home next Monday night, BUT ................ I won’t   !!!      What I will say is ............... this is definitely a MUST WIN match to stay in touch with the leading pack.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim