GENCLERBIRLIGI ON THE SLIDE !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler slid to their 5^th consecutive defeat tonight when they conceded the only goal of the match near the end.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI       0               Antalyaspor           1

 

Team – Nordfeldt, Arda, Toure, Polomat, Diego, Soner, Piris, Ayite, Sio, Candeias and Stancu

 

Substitutes – Berisbek, Pehlivan, Srdan and Yildirim

 

It was a fast flowing 1^st half with end-to-end attacking from both teams.   However, with both goalkeepers and defenders in fine form, the deadlock wasn’t broken at the half time whistle.   It was a good advertisement for Turkish football after having earlier watched the laborious and boring Erzurum v Ankaragucu match strewn with errors, especially by a poor Ankaragucu team.

 

Ankaragucu ‘olde boy’, Orgill was a lone figure up front for Antalya and he copied Bollingi and Badji by running around like a headless chicken for the most part, and he was awarded one of the many yellow cards dished out by the referee.   

 

The breakthrough came in the 86^th minute when the Gencler defence switched off and went to sleep.     Fredy had a fast break down the left and almost on the goal line he crossed into the 6 yard box where Sidney was all alone and unmarked.   Thank you very much says he ........ and taps in for the winner  !!

 

Gencler are now firmly stuck in the relegation zone alongside Denizli, Ankaragucu, Erzurum, Kayseri and Konya.    So, a dog fight is looming as we enter the 2^nd half of the season.

 

Gencler are next in action in an away match next Wednesday night against fellow strugglers Konya.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu complete double signing!

 

Ankaragucu have this afternoon completed the double signings of Alperen Babacan and Geraldo both who have signed 1.5 year deals on free transfers from their respective clubs. 

Geraldo is an Angolan winger who has signed from Al Ahly in Egpyt where he only managed 3 games this season and will likely take a while to get his fitness levels up. He has previously played in the Angolan and Brazilian leagues but a lot of question marks over this signing as his goals and assist record for a forward player aren't impressive.

Alperen is a center back who was released by Akhisar where he has spent most of his career between them and Denizlispor. He can also play at right back but again, another player who doesnt fit the profile of player Ankaragucu should be signing. 

Lets hope both signings work out for the sake of the club, but they have a lot of work to do and will need to hit the ground running. 

Ankaragucu vs Erzurumspor match preview!

 

Every match is a big game for Ankaragucu when you are consistently fighting against relegation. But Sundays match is the biggest game of the season so far, one that has given our fellow Kanka, Jim sleepless nights as he confessed. That and another defeat by his beloved Hibs to the mighty Rangers.

The first half of the Turkish Super Lig is over and Ankaragucu are 1 point from Safety and 5 points away from Konyaspor. When you look at where they were back in November, they have done well to bring themselves within touching distance of the other relegation candidates. 

One of those relegation candidates are Erzurumspor who Ankaragucu met on the first game of the season and after taking the lead, lost 2-1. Its something that Ankaragucu have struggled with on a few occasions this season, such as the Rizespor match and Alanyaspor where they have a comfortable lead and end up taking 0 points from any of those games. 

A lot has changed since both sides met the last time and there will be new managers in the dugout for each team. Former Ankaragucu manager Mesut Bakkal is in charge at Erzurumspor, while Mustafa Dalci is manager of Ankaragucu. 

Erzurumspor looked down and out until the last month similar to Ankaragucu. They have had some good results including 1-1 draws with Gaziantep and Alanyaspor, a 2-1 win at Kasimpasa and a 3-1 win over Yeni Malatyaspor. 

They have some good players in their squad too including Arvydas Novikovas and Ricardo Gomes who have impressed a few times when i have watched them this season. They also have Atif Chahechouhue and Mitchell Donald who are experienced Super Lig players. Former Ankaragucu player Mostefa El Kabir and Manuel Da Costa are also part of the squad but El Kabir will likely miss out due to fitness. 

Ankaragucu blew a great chance of taking all 3 points at Alanyaspor on Monday night after going 2-0 up but lost 4-3 after some terrible defending and poor tactical decisions from Mustafa Dalci. Ankaragucu started the game very brightly with Saba and Paintsil both working very well for the first two goals. 

The Alanyaspor trio in midfield however, Salih, Bakesetas and Efercan were dominating the game and it was clear Ankaragucu needed another midfielder on the park, and also some help for Ali Kaan who was having a torrid time against Davidson. Mustafa Dalci stood at the side watching on as Alanyaspor turned the game around and then into the second half decided to bring on Michal Pazdan a center back who hadn't played in a month, into midfield. 

Mustafa Dalci has done a good job overall considering where Ankaraguc have been. But its clear his strengths are his man management skills and he lacks in the tactical department. The team need all 3 points at the weekend if they are going to stay in this league and it will be interesting to see how Dalci lines up.

The good news is that Michal Pazdan and Stelios Kitsiou should be available to come back into the team. Both have been a huge miss for the club. Aliou Badji scored his first goal for the club and again will be looking for the likes of Saba, Paintsil and Endri to create chances for him.

Saba and Paintsil both combined very well in attack against Alanya and it was good to see Saba in particular improve on his final ball. He is the best player in the Super Lig when it comes to dribbling, but he needs to work in his final ball to get to the next level and maintain that consistency. 

A huge game on Sunday for both clubs, we need to be solid at the back while taking our chances in attack. We take a look below at the team we think can take all 3 points.

GK -Mert Topuz - Its likely Freidrich or Korcan will play in Goal but neither have impressed this season, and it could be time to play highly rated Mert who deserves his chance in the team.

RB - Stelios Kitsiou - A welcome addition back to the team, he has been badly missed since his injury.

CB - Michal Pazdan - Same as Kitsiou, and brings that experience to the defence which has been lacking.

CB - Zvonimir Sarlija - Has had an inconsistent season, but looks more solid at CB than he does at RB.

LB - Thiago Pinto - Important to get him back playing consistently at Left back. 

CM - Ibrahim Akdag - Has come in and looked a good signing but needs to watch his discipline.

CM - Daniel Lukasik - The most important player in the middle of the park with his work rate and experience. 

CAM - Endri Cekitci - Not his ideal position but since the club still hasnt signed anyone for the Number 10 Endri is the best option. 

RW - Paintsil - Two great finishes last game and will be looking to get on the scoresheet again. Now starting to show more consistency.

LW - Saba -  Another good performance against Alanya and will be looking to build on that at the weekend. 

CF - Aliou Badji - Will score goals if the service is there. Needs to be better with his hold up play. 

Ankaragucu transfer update!

 

Ankaragucu President Fatih Mert and Faruk Koca both took out loans said to be worth 30 Million Turkish Lira last week in order to lift the Transfer ban. The removal of the ban will give Ankaragucu some hope that they can avoid relegation with the right additions to the team. There can be no repeat of the mistakes made in the Summer transfer window and whoever comes in will need to be better that what we already have. 

The club have already announced the signings of 4 new players and 2 Ankaragucu players leaving the club.

Aliou Badji signs a 6 month loan deal from Al Ahly and the powerful striker is already off the mark with 1 goal in his opening 2 games. Badji had successful spells with Djurgarden and Rapid Wien. His success with Ankaragucu will all depend on the service from the wide players and midfield. 

Ibrahim Akdag is a 29 year old midfielder who has signed from Erzerumspor. He has started the last two games and looks like a good addition but his discipline could be a concern. 

The club have again looked to young players from the Turkish Lower leagues with Ali Kaan Guneren and Embiya Ayyildiz both signing. Ali Kaan is a midfielder from Akhisar who has represented the Turkish National youth team, while Embiya is a striker from Ergene Velemese.

Moving in the other direction Mucahit Can has moved on loan to Lig 2 outfit Hekimoglu who also signed Mehmet Sak in the summer, while Cebrail Karayel has signed with Altay.

Ankaragucu still dont have a backup Right Back or a Number 10 which is the two areas of the team that we have really struggled with. The club are still in talks with Zahid Ghayas but that move is looking very unlikely, and we are now in talks with Ukranian playmaker Denys Garmash who had a spell with Rizespor. 

It has also been reported that the club have agreed a move with Angolan winger Geraldo from Al Ahly. His record raises a lot of questions having scored 19 goals in his 10 year career, and only managed 3 games this season. I really hope we arent bringing in more rubbish who will need to be replaced again in the Summer. 

ANKARAGUCU ........ SO NEAR, YET SO FAR !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

There is no doubting Alanya Spor’s credentials, but even allowing for the fact that they had 65% possession and 6 shots on target tonight, they were helped along the way by two  Ankaragucu deflections which turned the match around after a fantastic opening spell by Ankaragucu.   Yes, I know, we must always bear in mind that the match is 90 plus minutes   !!!

 

With Ankaragucu 2-0 ahead after half an hour, we could have been forgiven for thinking about all 3 points, even allowing for the water-logged pitch and the constant downpour.   Mistakes were being made all over the pitch with the ball holding up, and it was from a mistake that Alanya pulled a goal back before half time which was rather cruel on Ankaragucu after their 1^st half exploits.

 

Alanyaspor            4                       ANKARAGUCU         3

 

Team – Korcan, Pinto, Erdi, Sarlija, Alikaan, Lukasik, Ibrahim, Endri, Paintsil, Saba and Badji

 

Substitutes – Voca, Pazdan, Emre, Borven and Atila

 

It only took Ankaragucu 2 minutes to make their 1^st attack and it resulted in a shock opener.    Saba went scurrying down the right wing, looked up, and sent an inch perfect cross to Paintsil on the left who shot into the top left with the goalkeeper too late to cover and save.

 

Almost on the half hour mark and another break down the right by Saba.    Again, a quick look-up, and he sent an excellent cross to Paintsil on the left who volleyed into the right with the goalkeeper well beaten.

 

Alanya was stunned, but they had a lucky break on the 37^th minute mark when a shot came in from just outside the box and took a cruel slight deflection off a defender which wrong footed Korcan and Alanya was back in the match  !

 

Alanya came out for the 2^nd half a different team and straight from the kick off were firing on all cylinders and pushing Ankaragucu deep into defence.     4 consecutive corners had Ankaragucu reeling and hoofing the ball anywhere.

 

However, the Ankaragucu defence held-up until the 53^rd minute when another cruel deflection caused the equaliser.    Following yet another corner, a shot came in from the right and Lukasik deflected it inside the right post with Korcan again wrong footed and helpless.

 

8 minutes later and Alanya was in the lead and there was no luck attached to this goal.   Yet another corner, and the ball was cut-back from the right to the unmarked Babacar in the 6 yard box who tapped in.

 

All credit to under pressure Ankaragucu at this stage, as they fought back 3 minutes later with the equaliser.   A free kick on the right gave Pazdan a chance with a header, which was saved for a corner.    From the resultant corner, Saba hooked the ball in to Badji in the centre who managed to squeeze in a shot between 2 defenders.

 

I have to say that I was reasonably content to settle for a point at this stage of the match with only about 10 minutes left, but .............. aaargh ......... it was not to be.

 

Firstly, Alanya hit the bar with a shot before they bagged the winner with 10 minutes left.    There can be no doubting the quality of the goal from Moubandje who sent in a bullet of a shot from just inside the box on the left to well inside the right post with Korcan well beaten.

 

Ankaragucu can consider themselves unfortunate not to have taken at least a point, but will need to re-group for the upcoming ‘6 pointer’ against fellow strugglers Erzurumspor in Erzurum next Sunday.     It’s an olde cliché, but ............. this is definitely a MUST WIN match to keep the momentum going to avoid being stuck in the relegation zone.

 

Before closing, I have to praise the performance of my Man of the Match, Paintsil tonight.    Not only for his 2 well taken goals, but for the numerous times he tracked back to help his defence.    His performances have been improving and I think we have yet to see even more from him  !!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI’s SLUMP CONTINUES !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler suffered their 4^th straight defeat in Ankara today against Trabzon who are now back in the hunt for a Europa Cup place after a poor start to the season.

 

Mustafa Kaplan will be scratching his bead and wondering what to do next with no other strikers on the bench to shake things up  !!

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI             1                   Trabzonspor             2

 

Team – Adiyaman, Arda, Toure, Polomat, Piris, Furman, Soner, Artan, Yilmaz, Candeias and

 

Substitutes – Stancu, Yildirim, Ilker and Ayite

 

The first half hour of the match was riddled with basic errors from both teams.    However, with Trabzon having 73% possession, they looked the more threatening without actually testing Adiyaman.

 

Then a boring match burst into life in the 35^th minute when Trabzon finally put their possession into something tangible.    Some skilful inter-passing between Nwakaeme and Djaniay resulted in Djaniay rounding Adiyaman and slotting in for the opening goal.

 

Into the 2^nd half and it was still Trabzon showing the more urgency and a fierce shot from Djaniay just outside the box was well saved by Adiyaman.

 

The 2^nd goal arrived after 53 minutes from a Trabzon breakaway on the left.    The cross came in and went over Toure’s head to the unmarked Ekuban lurking behind him and he had the easiest of task’s to lash the ball in with Adiyaman stranded.

 

Into the last 10 minutes and Trabzon took their foot off the gas.   Gencler probably sensing this, started to put pressure on the Trabzon defence.       However, they were punished in the 84^th minute when Gencler made an impressive attack which resulted in a panic in the defence with a hand-ball in Trabzon’s attempt to clear their lines.

 

Not for the 1^st time this season, Piris stepped up and sent in a perfect penalty just inside the right post with the goalkeeper diving in the opposite direction.

 

Nwakaeme had a great chance to put the match to bed in the 90^th minute when he was one on one with Adiyaman inside the 6 yard box, but he sent his weak shot straight into the arms of a grateful Adiyaman.

 

Into time added on and Gencler had a chance to draw level when they were awarded a free kick on the left goal line.    It was well taken, but equally, well saved by the goalkeeper.

 

So, too little too late by Gencler.     Having said that, Trabzon was well worth their lead with their African players in particular causing all sort of problems for the Gencler defence.

 

Next up for Gencler is another home match against mid-table Antalyaspor next Sunday 31 January.     If Gencler lose this one, the alarm bells will be sounding   !!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

LADY LUCK SMILES ON ANKARAGUCU !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu can consider themselves fortunate to have taken all 3 points tonight in a match where they rode their luck on numerous occasions.    However, we are not complaining, but sterner tests lie ahead, and perhaps lessons will have been learned tonight, especially in the area of defence  !!

 

Ricardo’s mistakes in recent weeks saw the return of last season’s regular goalkeeper, Korcan, and he received my Man of the Match award for a commanding performance.     Bolingi was also dropped to the bench after a run of ‘x’ matches without a goal and that was another sensible decision  !!

 

ANKARAGUCU             1                     Kasimpasa              0

 

Team – Korcan, Sarlija, Atakan, Erdi, Pinto, Ibrahim, Kulasik, Endri, Saba, Paintsil and Badji

 

Substitutes – Atila, Emre, Voca, Borven and Alper

 

The first action of the match came in the 11^th minute when Korcan pulled off the save of the match.    Sarlija made an elementary mistake which allowed Kasimpasa attackers room and when the goalbound shot came in, it was tipped over the bar by Korcan.

 

5 minutes later and Ankaragucu went into the lead rather fortuitously.   The ball was played to Saba on the right and his cross into the box was meant for Badji, but it was parried by the goalkeeper straight to his defender, Florent, who instinctively headed into the unguarded goal.   Thank you very much Lady Luck   !!

 

2 minutes later and Korcan to the rescue again to save another goal bound shot.

 

One minute after that and Ankaragucu scored a 2^nd goal when Erdi latched onto an over-head pass.   However, 3 Ankaragucu players were clearly offside when he scored  !

 

On the half hour mark and Korcan made a crucial save when a shot came in from the right and was heading inside the post.   However, he managed to divert the ball around the post for a corner.

 

Some neat work from Paintsil on the left approaching half time when he passed to Ibrahim just inside the box, but his shot went just past the left post.

 

Further chances fell to Saba and Endri who combined to send in crosses inside the 6 yard box, but both were too slow to react and the chances were gone,

 

Kasimpasa stepped up the pressure in the 2^nd half with the Ankaragucu defence looking fragile and scary at times, but for the most part, hoofing the ball clear kept the score at 1-0.

 

Ankaragucu was mostly restricted to breakaways in the 2^nd half with Paintsil always looking dangerous until he was substituted.    Shortly after the resumption, he laid off a good ball to Ibrahim, but his effort was saved.

 

Half way through the 2^nd half and another scare in the Ankaragucu defence when from a cut-back on the left the shot was just out.

 

Saba had numerous chances to put Kasimpasa under pressure from breakaways and he made some great runs down the right and left wings, but his final ball usually ended up at a Kasimpasa defender’s feet.   He really must learn to look up before delivering the final pass with attackers looking for an accurate cross.     Also, on the few occasions when he does have a chance to look up, he dithers and is usually dispossessed by a defender  !!

 

In the last action of the match in time added on, Voca made a hash of his clearance inside the box and the ball went straight to a Kasimpasa attacker just outside the box.   He sent in a screamer of a shot which hit the outside of the post and out with Korcan a split second away from saving it if it had been on the other side of the post  !!

 

Relief all round at the sound of the whistle to end the match.     A valuable 3 points for Ankaragucu but they will need to up their game for the crucial matches on the horizon with all the teams in the relegation zone battling it out for points.

 

Ankaragucu will be in action next Monday in Alanya who have lost their early season sparkle.    However, it will be another chance for Ankaragucu to show their resolve and bring points back to Ankara.    No doubt tonight’s win will have given them some much needed confidence.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI RECEIVE A FOOTIE LESSON !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler was outplayed throughout the whole match today in Izmir.   Even without their normal strikers, Stancu, Sio and Candeias, they can have no complaints.

 

They only had one serious shot on target by Soner, almost at the final whistle, but it was powder-puff and easily saved.

 

Goztepe        4                GENCLERBIRLIGI           0

 

Team – Nordfeldt, Pehlivan, Toure, Diego, Johanssen, Soner, Piris, Polomat, Yildirim, Altiparmak and Ilker

 

Substitutes – Omurcan, Berisbek, Mustafa and Seyhan

 

Goztepe made it clear from the kick-off that they were focused on all-out attack and they had 2 great chances early in the match which went begging.   

 

Both from classic cut-backs which are difficult to defend.    The first, in the 8^th minute was crossed from the left goal line and the angled flick went just past the right post.   

 

The second was an uncustomary mistake by Toure which allowed the attacker to cut the ball back on the left and the shot was parried by Nordfeldt and then cleared by a nearby defender.

 

However, it was no surprise when Goztepe took the lead in the 24^th minute from a corner on the right which was swung into the 6 yard box when Zulj sent an angled header inside the left post.

 

It was almost 2 on the half hour mark when Nordfeldt pulled off a great save to tip a goal bound shot over the bar.

 

Approaching half time and the 2^nd goal arrived.    A fast attack down the left, and when the cross came in there was Ndiaye to stretch out a leg between two defenders for a classic predator strike.

 

It was 45 plus 1 and I was ready for my half time ‘refreshment’ when Piris made a terrible back pass which was latched onto by Akbunar who rounded Nordfeldt and stroked the ball in.   Sloppy defending and Toure was slow to keep tabs on Akbunar  !!

 

Goztepe came out for the 2^nd half and straight into attack again.   They had 2 chances to increase their lead before they put the sword in.

 

Firstly, Tripic missed a sitter when the ball was cut-back to him all alone in the centre within the 6 yard box and he blasted the ball over when all that was needed was a simple tap-in.    Secondly, there was a fast flowing move down the left and the final shot hit the post on the way out.

 

The 4^th goal duly arrived half way through the 2^nd half when Goztepe waltzed through the Gencler defence and Akbunar had time to fire in a shot inside the right post with Nordfeldt well beaten.

 

From then until the final whistle Goztepe was content to play the running-down-time game with Gencler chasing shadows and lacking their normal fighting spirit.

 

So, Gencler stay stuck in the relegation zone alongside Denizli, Ankaragucu, Erzurum and Kayseri.

 

Another difficult match looms for Gencler on Saturday when they host Trabzonspor.    It doesn’t get any easier in this league   !!

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU’S ESCAPE FROM THE RELEGATION ZONE SUSPENDED !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.  

 

Ankaragucu can have no complaints about tonight’s defeat when they were outclassed in every department by a team looking in determined fashion to be champions this season.

 

Ankaragucu shot themselves in the foot in the first half when two defensive aberrations handed Fener a 2-0 interval lead, and there was no way back for an Ankaragucu team bereft of a strike force  !!

 

Fenerbahce         3                  ANKARAGUCU          1

 

Team -  Ricardo, Atila, Sarlija, Atakan, Pinto, Lukasik, Voca, Paintsil, Endri, Saba and Bolingi

 

Substitutes – Emre, Borven, Assane, Alper and Sahverdi

 

Fener was first to threaten and Atila made a crucial instinctive goal-line save from a goal bound header following a corner.

 

It took Ankaragucu until the 24^th minute to threaten when from a corner on the right, Altay saved onto the inside of the post and the ball was cleared.

 

Ricardo must hold his hand up for conceding the 1^st goal when he parried a weak shot from Thiam who followed up and tapped the ball in.    I don’t understand why he couldn’t hold onto the ball, or at least sent it out for a corner   !!

 

6 minutes later and another defensive calamity  !!    A cross came in from the left for Samatta.    It should have been dealt with by either Sarlija or Atakan, but they both got into a tangle going for the same ball and Samatta brushed past them and stroked the ball in.

 

Endri could have reduced the arrears 8 minutes before half time, but his well struck free kick went just past the post.

 

Just before the half time whistle there was another scary moment in the Ankaragucu penalty box when a goal bound shot was luckily deflected by Pinto for a corner.

 

7 minutes into the 2^nd half and Lukasik’s free kick from just outside the box went whizzing pas the post with Altay rooted to the spot.

 

2 minutes later and Ricardo again demonstrated his love affair with parried saves.    Fortunately on this occasion it was cleared by a defender.

 

Fener put the match to bed in the 66^th minute with a great individual goal by Valencia.   He received a pass just outside the box on the right, looked up, and sent a great shot just inside the left post with Ricardo getting fingertips to it but unable to save it.

 

3 minutes into time added on and Ankaragucu bagged a consolation goal.     A cross came in from the right to Borven on the left and he passed the ball to Emre on the right just outside the box who sent in a great shot to the left with Altay well beaten.

 

I have to say that Ankaragucu were well beaten by a team who you sensed were more determined.     Ankaragucu was forced into mistakes many times in defence with the constant Fener pressure.

 

Latterly, apart from the late goal, Ankaragucu resorted to high ball out of defence as they gradually ran out of ideas.    

 

It is glaringly obvious that Ankaragucu is lacking a physical presence up front similar to the 4 Africans in the Fener team, ie, Thiam, Samatta, Valencia and Cisse   !!!

 

The sands of time continue to fall and Thursday night must be classed as a crucial moment in the season when Ankaragucu either grasp the nettle or succumb to relegation.     It is now is their own hands at the home match against Kasimpasa.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI STILL STUCK IN THE RELEGATION ZONE !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Genclerbirligi misfired tonight, and even with the lion’s share of the play they couldn’t score from open play.    Karagumruk on the other hand were more assured throughout the match and fully deserved their 3 points.   

 

It was a scrappy match, with Gencler in particular being wayward with their crosses and final passes in the final 3^rd.       They never gave up, but the spark in their play was sadly missing tonight.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI       1              Fatih Karagumruk          3

 

Team – Nordfeldt, Johanssen, Arda, Toure, Polomat, Piris, Soner, Yilmaz, Candeias, Furman and Sio

 

Substitutes – Ilker, Mustafa, Berisberk and Karakas

 

I must admit that I was nearly drifting off to sleep and boredom until the 21^st minute when the action eventually started.   A Karagrumruk attacker was brought down just outside the box .......which was the referee’s initial decision.    However, after a message in his earpiece, he gave a penalty.    In hindsight, the offence was only just inside the box, although it was a marginal decision and probably the correct one.

 

Lucas took the penalty and sent the ball to the right with Nordfeldt diving in the opposite direction.

 

15 minutes later and it was 2 when Ndao picked up the ball on the right wing and went on a solo run.    He cut into the box and fired in a shot from an acute angle which went in at the left post with Nordfeldt well and truly beaten.

 

Into the 2^nd half and Gencler had Nordfeldt to thank for saving a goal bound shot shortly after the resumption.

 

Karagumruk was still dictating play and looking the more dangerous when Gencler received a lifeline in the 72^nd minute.    A cross came in from the right, and with no Gencler forwards near the ball, a defender tried to clear with his left foot while on the ground.   He did clear the ball, but the referee deemed that he had handled it first.     I have to say that I felt sorry for him because it was clearly ball to hand and unintentional.   However, the new rule on this subject doesn’t give referees much flexibility, and so a penalty it was.

 

Piris took it and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with a perfect penalty.

 

Any hope of a Gencler revival was dashed 15 minutes later when Karagumruk broke down the right.    The cross came in and a header was goal bound until Nordfeldt pulled off a great safe and parried the ball.    Unfortunately, the ball went straight to the unmarked Sobiech who had the easiest of tasks to stroke the ball in with Nordfeldt helpless and the Gencler defence all at sea.

 

So, another home match which (on paper) Gencler should have won, but they can have no complaints about losing tonight.     All credit to an efficient Karagumruk team who, unlike Gencler, took their chances and deservedly all 3 points.

 

Gencler face another mountain next Tuesday when they travel to Goztepe, which is never an easy place to go and collect points.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU – STRIKER ......LESS !!!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

There is no doubting Ankaragucu’s effort and will to win attitude, but again their deficiencies were laid bare when their strike force failed to deliver tonight.

 

I lost count of the times when Ankaragucu had fast breaks and as soon as they entered the final 3^rd ....... they froze !!    They would then pass from left to right, right to left and back, and eventually in most cases .......... lose possession.

 

The present Basaksehir team is not the team which won the league last season, and it is clear why they will not win it again this season because they are not a great team.   However, Basak’s one touch passing had the Ankaragucu defence running in circles at times, and if they had the killer touch it would have been much worse for Ankaragucu.

 

ANKARAGUCU         1              Istanbul Basaksehir         2

 

Team – Ricardo, Atila, Erdi, Sarlija, Atakan, Lukasik, Diousse, Endri, Bolingi, Saba and Borven.

 

Substitutes – Voca, Paintsil, Cetin, Cebrail and Orkan

 

The first real action of the match came in the 7^th minute when a Basak goal bound shot just inside the box was saved by Ricardo at full stretch at the right post.

 

Then 10 minutes later Ankaragucu gave us a football lesson on how NOT to defend a corner !!!     The ball was whipped into a crowded penalty box and the ball fell near the 4 Ankaragucu players who looked as though they were in a daze and ball watching.   Borven was one of them (what was he doing there ??!!) and he back-heeled the ball instead of hoofing it away to safety.   The ball rolled out to the left, just inside the box, and the unmarked Visca fired in a great shot to the top right.

 

Ankaragucu attacked straight from the re-start and Borven had a great chance to make amends for his sloppy defending when he mis-hit his shot in the 6 yard box when it should have been nestling in the back of the net.

 

One minute later with Ankaragucu still on the attack, they were awarded a free kick on the left about 5 yards in from the corner flag.    Endri took it and it sailed into the top right much to his delight.    I’m not sure if it was meant as a cross or a shot, but ....... hey ....... who cares !!!

 

There was almost time before the half time whistle for Basak to grab a 2^nd , and again, Ankaragucu’s fragility at corners were their undoing.   They allowed a Basak forward to be first to the in-swinger but fortunately his header went narrowly past the post.

 

Into the 2^nd half and the crucial 2^nd was scored from a free kick on the right.   Sarlija tried to head the ball for a corner but only succeeded in nodding it down near the unmarked Dembaba who had the easiest of tasks to poke it in.

 

As an ex-Class 1 referee, I don’t normally like to criticise them, knowing how difficult it is to be correct in all decisions for 90 plus, but ............ I must point the finger at today’s referee who missed a glaring act of violent conduct when Rafael pulled Paintsil down and then kicked him in the nuts.    A yellow was produced  !!!     Shame   !!!

 

There was a late flurry of attacks by Ankaragucu, but too little ........ too late.   Paintsil had a great chance to equalise approaching the final whistle when he was one on one with the goalkeeper, but he was too slow to react and the chance was lost.

 

I’m normally a patient person, but ............... I’m really losing it with Bolingi and Borven.    They are supposed to be strikers and score goals on a regular basis.    True, Borven hasn’t started in most matches recently, but Bolingi is fast becoming a burden for the team   !!

 

It is true that Ankaragucu has missed 4 of their best players in recent matches through injuries (Pazdan, Pinto, Kitsiou and Emre), but that cannot be used as an excuse which affects all teams from time to time.      However, it has certainly been an influence on recent results and it is to be hoped that they are back again .............. and soon  !!!

 

Next up is an away match against Fener.....spit.....bahce next Monday 18 January.    Let’s keep the faith   !!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim