GENCLERBIRLIGI’s FIGHTING SPIRIT NOT ENOUGH !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

There is no doubting Gencler’s fighting spirit which they again showed last night, but against a team of the calibre of Hatay it was not enough.

 

Hatay contrived to miss countless opportunities to put the match to bed before they finally did so.    Their one touch passing game mesmerised the Gencler defenders at times and it is no coincidence that they are riding high in 5^th spot in the league hoping to make their debut in Yooro Footie next season.

 

Hatayspor              3                       GENCLERBIRLIGI           1

 

Team – Nordfeldt, Arda, Diego, Pehlivan, Johannson, Soner, Piris, Sio, Lima, Candeias and Stancu

 

Substitutes – Yilmaz, Polomat, Yildirim and Berisbek

 

The match started at a fast pace and Hatay almost opened the scoring in the 1^st minute when from a corner Nordfeldt saved a goal bound header by Diouf.

 

However, the goal did arrive 6 minutes later and even though it was a fluke, they all count  !!   Aabid crossed the ball into the centre for Diouf, but the ball just eluded him and Nordfeldt hesitated expecting Diouf to make contact.    Consequently, the ball sailed inside the right post and Aabid was credited with the goal   !!

 

Nordfeldt made a few other crucial saves before the half time whistle and the Hatay goalkeeper only had one serious save to make.

 

5 minutes into the 2^nd half and the 2^nd goal arrived for Hatay after a defensive mistake by Gencler.    The fast break was on and the ball was taken down to the goal line on the right with the Gencler defence scurrying back to cover.    The classic cut-back was made to Diouf in the centre and he gave Nordfeldt no chance with a clinical finish.

 

Gencler to their credit continued to try and attack but without success until they were handed a lifeline in the 75^th minute.    Kamara was adjudged to have brought down Stancu on the edge of the penalty area when there was no clear danger.    It was a stupid, clumsy and unnecessary challenge but I have never witnessed Piris missing a penalty this season and again he bulleted in his effort to the centre with the goalkeeper diving to his left.

 

Gencler tried to find the equaliser, but it was Hatay who reacted first with a 3^rd goal 8 minutes later.    From a free kick on the left to ball was passed into the box where it was met by Man of the Match, Diouf, who gave Nordfeldt no chance with his shot.

 

Soner and Yildirm both had chances before the end but the former shot past the post and the latter shot straight at the goalkeeper.

 

So, Gencler are seemingly stuck in 2^nd bottom position in the league with no respite in sight.   Next up is a home match against Galata.....spit.....saray on Sunday and it is unlikely that Gencler can expect to take anything for that match.    Galata....spit.....saray, Fener.....spit....bahce and Beshiktrash are fighting it out at the top of the league so this will be a ‘must win’ match for both teams   !!

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim