Eyupspor 2-0 Ankaragücü

 

This one will be short and sweet as Ankaragücü were well beaten yesterday by 3rd placed Eyupspor thanks to 2 brilliant goals from former Ankaragücü striker Umut Bulut and Muhammad Akarslan.

Team - Akin, Erdem, Sinan, Yusuf, Pimto, Abdullah, Ishak, Zahaid, Murat, Ariyibi, Eren 

Subs - Mert, Erdi, Ali Kaan, Ulas, Aatif, Atakan, Cem, Owusu, Nadir, Sitiki

It’s difficult to criticise Mustafa Dalci and the team as they have done very well over the last couple of months and it’s only the teams first loss of the season. The performances however over the last couple of weeks have taken a bit of a dip in form.

Ankaragücü have a very old team with most players over the age of 30, with a few approaching 40. Abdullah Durak is 3 months into the season and is still out of shape. Aatif, Geraldo and Nadir are all in the same boat, with neither impressing when they come on and all in the later parts of their career.

Ulas and Emre both shone midweek in the cup match against Somaspor but neither were given an opportunity yesterday, and the other talent Atakan Dama is yet to play any minutes this season. IMO Mustafa Dalci needs to get rid of the old and unfit wasters and instead inject some youth into the team.

Umut Bulut and Muhammed both took their goals well from distance but the time and space they were both given to shoot from outside of the box was disappointing. At the other end Ankaragücü rarely threatened and will need to up their game next week against leaders Umraniyespor.

We will wait and see what next week brings.

GENCLERBIRLIGI QUALIFY FOR THE 4th ROUND OF THE TURKISH CUP

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Genclerbirligi join Ankaragucu in the hat for the draw for the 4^th Round of the Turkish Cup despite having Mert sent off with just over 10 minutes to go until the end of the match.

 

I was unable to watch the match, so I can’t add any detail here.    Suffice to say that, like Ankaragucu, Gencler avoided the ‘banana skin’  !!

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI            3                  Pendikspor              1

 

Team – Gul, Ilker, Mert, M Sahindere, Sallallich, Kose, Seker, A Sahindere, Bayir, Berisbek and Eral

 

Substitutes – Berkay, Baran, Mertcan, Ulusoy and Altiparmak

 

Gencler opened the scoring through Ilker in the 52^nd minute and added a 2^nd 7 minutes later by Sallallich.

 

Pendik obviously refused to ‘lie down’ and scored in the 76^th minute through Ilkin.    Mert was perhaps involved in this goal in some way and was shown a 2^nd yellow and off he went.

 

Pendik was probably probing for the equaliser and Altiparmak no doubt scored on the break just before the final whistle.

 

So, it’s back to League action for Gencler on Sunday when they host Istanbulspor who are 4 points behind Gencler in 13^th position.

 

As always, watch this space for a more detailed report  !!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU QUALIFY FOR THE 4th ROUND OF THE TURKISH CUP

 

 

Greeting Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu avoided a ‘banana skin’ exit from the Turkish Cup yesterday as happened in the past , e.g., ............. who can forget the exit at the hands of Badrumspor a few years ago, and dare I mention Fener.....spit.....bahce’s elimination by Pendikspor before that   ??!!

 

It took a defensive blunder and a penalty to ensure Ankaragucu go into the draw for the 4^th Round after a boring lack lustre performance against a team from the 3^rd Division of the Turkish League.   Despite having the lion’s share of play, Ankaragucu made heavy weather of their attempt to grind out a win and move into the next round.

 

Giving most of the ‘1^st Team’ a rest almost back-fired on Ankaragucu and I had a feeling that yesterday’s team under-estimated Soma and assumed that the match was a done-deal before the kick off.    However, I don’t include Owusu in my criticism who seemed to be the only player giving 100%.

 

ANKARAGUCU           2                       Somaspor         0

 

Team – Bahadir, Cem, Alperen, Erdi, Yasin, Ali Kaan, Sahverdi, Aatif, Geraldo, Owusu and Ciftci

 

Substitutes – Hasan, Muhammed, Ulas, Imdat and Emre

 

The first real action arrived in the 12^th minute and it produced a goal out of nothing.    With a Soma defender and Owusu chasing the ball towards the Soma penalty box, the defender played a back pass to his goalkeeper while under pressure from Owusu.    However, the pass was angled away from the goalkeeper which left the goalkeeper scrambling back to scoop the ball off the goal line to parry it clear.    Owusu being alert to the situation followed up and picked up the loose ball to blast it into the empty net for an opportunist strike.

 

Will the floodgates open I was thinking ?       Errrrrrrm............ no !!

 

5 minutes later and Ankaragucu missed an opportunity to put the Soma defence under pressure when Geraldo was sent clear on the right.    With ample time to cross the ball into the danger area, he allowed himself to be dispossessed and the chance was missed.    Just one of the many mistakes made by Geraldo whose days at Ankaragucu must be numbered !!!

 

5 minutes later and Owusu made space for himself on the left to angle a shot to the right post but his excellent effort went just past the post.

 

Approaching the half time whistle and the last chance fell to Ciftci who was well positioned in the centre on the 18 yard line and under no pressure, but his shot was well over the bar.

 

It seemed to me that Ankaragucu was enjoying a ‘stroll in the park’ in the 1^st half and I was hoping the half time Team Talk by Mustafa Bey would centre around upping the pace of the match  !!!

 

The 2^nd half was only 7 minutes old when Ankaragucu received another ‘present’ from Soma.    There was one/two inter-passing between Owusu and Ali Kaan as they entered the Soma penalty box when one of the defender’s stupidly and blatantly handled the return pass to Owusu.    The referee pointed immediately to the spot, Ciftci stepped up and despatched the ball inside the right post with the goalkeeper diving the wrong way.

 

The pace of the match didn’t alter until near the end, but before that. Ankaragucu almost added a 3^rd after good work by Owusu set up a great chance for Emre, but his shot was just past the left post.

 

A late flurry of attacking action by both teams in the last 10 minutes came to nothing and Ankaragucu can be thankful that Soma didn’t have any ‘bullets to fire’ in the final 3^rd to give Bahadir any problems.

 

It’s back to league business on Saturday and a tricky visit to Eyupspor sitting 4 points behind Ankaragucu in 3^rd place.     Mustafa Bey will obviously be calling for more urgency and accuracy from the players in the final 3^rd   !!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI RECEIVE TWO LATE PRESENTS !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

After conceding a 1^st half goal last night, Gencler, although attacking throughout the 2^nd half, looked down and out.

                                       

However, two late blunders by the normally reliable ‘Ankaragucu olde boy’ Korcan in goal, gifted all 3 points to Geneler which was a cruel ending for Kocaeli who didn’t deserve to lose all 3 points.

 

Kocaelispor            1                     GENCLERBIRLIGI             2

 

Team – Adiyaman, Kerem, Mert, Arda, Omurcan, Hrechyshkin, Aksel, Tshibola, Oleksandr, Baris and Eleke

 

Substitutes – Sallalich, Ilker and Gokhan

 

The match was only 4 minutes old when Kocaeli scored an excellent glancing header in the centre of the box, but the linesman’s flag was up and from the replay he was correct.  

 

Kocaeli continued to attack and received their reward 6 minutes later with some great inter-passing down the right and the ball finally played into the centre to the feet of Dino who stroked the ball inside the left post from just outside the box.

 

20 minutes gone and Adiyaman pulled off a great save from a goal bound header following a corner as Kocaeli continued to attack.

 

Korcan was not called to deal with anything in the 1^st half and we could have been excused for thinking that more goals would follow from Kocaeli   !!

 

The half time Team Talk obviously worked wonders as Gencler came out with all guns blazing and took the match to Kocaeli.   

 

Kocaeli didn’t seem to have an answer to Gencler’s attacks and were pinned back in their own half for the most part.

 

The equaliser almost arrived in the 62^nd minute but the goal bound shot was well saved by Korcan for a corner.

 

However, the pressure finally paid off 9 minutes later when the Kocaeli defence cracked.   A cross came in from the left to the far post and Korcan misjudged the flight of the ball, flapped his hand at it and parried it straight to a Gencler attacker who header the ball back into the centre.    With Korcan out of position, Gokhan headed powerfully inside the left post.

 

There was no response from Kocaeli who were seemingly content to play long speculative balls out of defence to relieve the pressure.

 

With the match heading for a tie, which would have been a fair result, the 2^nd blunder arrived in the 90^th minute.

 

Hrechyshkin took a snap shot from about 30 yards out which Korcan had covered and it was a routine save ............ wasn’t it  ?!!       For some reason, he fumbled the ball and it screwed off his arm and into the net.     He was a great servant for Ankaragucu and I really felt sorry for him   !!

 

It was too late for Kocaeli to try and find an equaliser, but they did have time to see RED when Diego received a 2^nd yellow in the 90 plus 6^th minute for a high and dangerous tackle.

 

Gencler move out of the bottom half of the league and into 8^th position.     League action resumes on Sunday when Gencler will be at home to Istanbulspor.     Another chance for them to find the 3 points and move into the play off positions perhaps  ??!!

 

Prior to that there is a Turkish Cup 3^rd Round Match on Thursday when Gencler host Pendikspor.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU POWER THEIR WAY TO THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Well, perhaps that’s an exaggeration after living dangerously in the 2^nd half in last night’s match.    However, the fact remains that Ankaragucu is top of the league ..........well, at least until tomorrow when Umraniye travel to Altinordu in what is 2^nd v 13^th.

 

ANKARAGUCU           2                    Manisaspor              1

 

Team – Akin, Erdem, Yusef, Sinan, Pinto, Zahid, Abdullah, Ishak, Murat, Eren and Ariyibi

 

Substitutes – Erdi, Cifci, Owusu, Ali Kaan and Geraldo

 

Ankaragucu was fortunate not to go behind in the 7^th minute when Sinan was too casual on the ball near the halfway line and was easily dispossessed.    The fast break was on for Manisa, but after an excellent pass into the box, the forward’s shot went just past the left post.

 

Fast forward to the 20^th minute and that was the extent of the action and I admit to almost dozing-off with what was becoming a boring match.   Therefore, I called a toilet break for myself to prevent my nodding off  !!!

 

That was obviously the signal and wake-up call for Ankaragucu to liven proceedings up when the match exploded into life 8 minutes later, and what a goal it was too.    In Ankaragucu’s first serious attack of the match, Ariyibi won the ball on the left after a loose Manisa defensive clearance, and shot into the right corner from outside the box for a fantastic goal.

 

Manisa was not for folding and continued to press forward in search of the equaliser, and it almost arrived 10 minutes before the half time whistle.   A goal bound shot from outside the box was well saved by Akin.

 

Then, 5 minutes later came the goal of the match, which might well be a contender for goal of the season.     Murat picked the ball up just inside his own half and scampered down the left avoiding one tackle.    He then cut inside and into the box avoiding two more tackles and sent a shot into the top right for a truly memorable goal.

 

Into the 2^nd half and Manisa came out in full-on attacking mode.    It only took 10 minutes for Sinan to see Red and and commit a needless foul on a Manisa attacker just outside the penalty box in the centre.    The referee had no hesitation in producing the Red Card and I doubt that Sinan will be missed in the next few weeks after a poor performance last night.

 

Mustafa Bey sent Erdi on to shore up the defence as Manisa sensed blood and continued to attack with Ankaragucu now reeling.

 

The inevitable goal came in the 65^th minute and in all honesty it was no more than Manisa deserved.   A bullet of a shot from Tormin from outside the box was sent in to the top left.   Akin got his fingertips to the ball but was unable to prevent the ball finding the back of the net.

 

It was all Manisa at this stage as they searched in vain for the equaliser.

 

Manisa had 4 goal bound shots saved by Akin from then until the final whistle on 90 plus 8.    I have to confess to pulling my hair out in frustration at Ankaragucu’s attempts to bring the ball out of their own half and catch Manisa on the break.    However, the defence held firm and it was much relief all round when the final whistle was blown  !!

 

Ankaragucu only had 2 shots on target to Manisa’s 6, and Ankaragucu have Man of the Match, Akin, to thank for winning all 3 points.

 

Ankaragucu will need to be more inventive and assertive next Saturday in another difficult match away to 3^rd place Eyupspor, and as I have said at the beginning of the season, it’s going to be a hard slog till the end of the season ................ and there will be no ‘easy’ matches in this league   !!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Bandirmaspor 1-2 Ankaragücü

 

Just a short summary of yesterday’s match as both myself and Jim had to settle for watching highlights of the game due to other commitments.

Ankaragücü put in another title contender performance yesterday coming back from a goal down to beat Bandirmaspor 2-1. Guido Kocar gave the home side the lead with a well taken goal from distance after 17 minutes.

Erdem Ozgenc equalised 10 minutes later when his free kick come cross went in at the back post. It was an excellent ball but Gokhan in the Bandirma goal will be disappointed with his performance.

Yusuf Abdioglu provided another big moment with 6 minutes to go with a sensational volley into the top corner. Yusuf really is becoming a big player for the team. Azibuke had missed a penalty earlier on for Bandirma, but Ankaragücü took all 3 points back to the capital and go joint top with Umraniye who drew 2-2 in their match.

ANKARAGUCU TAKE CLOSER ORDER AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu gave another impressive team performance last night to win all 3 points against a slick Erzurum team.

 

With top of the league Umraniye dropping 2 points earlier in the day, Ankaragucu move to within 2 points of them.     Perhaps Umraniye is now feeling the heat of the approaching champions elect   ??!!

 

ANKARAGUCU        2                BBS Erzurumspor        1

 

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

 

Substitutes – Ali Kaan, Owuso, Cifci, Geraldo and Aatif

 

Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Haluk and I met-up in The Bira Park Bar and my pre-match comment was ........ we need an early goal to put the frighteners up Erzurum   !!!

 

Both teams were in attack mode and it was made an exciting match due to Erzurum’s insistence on attack with end to end play for the most part.

 

Erzurum almost opened the scoring in the 8^th minute when an astute pass was made to an attacker who looked certain to score.    However, Akin’s reaction was spot-on and he sprinted out of the box to smother the ball a split second before the attacker could make contact .

 

2 minutes later and a dubious penalty was awarded to Ankaragucu for a ‘push’ on Eren as he surged into the box.    We were not complaining, but in all honesty it was a soft award  !!    Erdem decided to take the penalty which was destined for the net, but the Erzurum goalkeeper, Szumski, made an outstanding save.    The ball rebounded to the in-rushing pack and an Erzurum defender’s attempted header for a corner hit the post and then the ball was cleared.

 

However, the break through eventually arrived 10 minutes before the half time whistle and it will definitely not make the list for Goal of the Season !!     It was more like a comedy of errors, but all credit to the predatory Eren for being in the right place at the right time  !!   A corner was swung in from the left which was palmed out by Szumski to a defender who headed the ball against the post and there was Eren to collect the rebound and tap the ball into the net.

 

Erzurum came out for the 2^nd half fired up and searching for the equaliser and Ankaragucu had Akin to thank for a brilliant save shortly after the re-start.

 

However, at the other end, Szumski received the Man of the Match award from me for 3 fantastic saves half way through the 2^nd half.     However, he was helpless to prevent Ankaragucu scoring their 2^nd with 10 minutes of the match remaining.    Yet another fast attack and an excellent cross from Ali Kaan on the right which was met by Owusu in the centre and he volleyed in a bullet.    Welcome back to the team Owusu after an injury absence   !!!

 

The match was 4 minutes into time added on when Novikovas of Erzurum received the ball just outside the box in the centre and he sent in a swerving shot to the top left which gave Akin no chance.

 

Next up for Ankaragucu is another top of the table match in Bandirma on Saturday 16 October with an early KO.      Umraniye play 3^rd top Eyupspor on the same day, so it will be interesting to see the league positions when the dust has settled   !!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI – PLAYING AS A ‘TEAM’ NOW !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler is beginning to look like the real-deal now after their unimpressive early disasters in the league.    Their defence is looking more solid and the strike force of Lualua and Eleka, in particular, are now finding the net on a regular basis.

 

Balikesir            0                 GENCLERBIRLIGI           2

 

Team – Adiyaman, Kerem, Kula, Arda, Omurcan, Hrechyshkin, Aktas, Lima, Lualua, Baris and Eleke

 

Substitutes – Aaron, Gokhan, Metehan and Muhammed

 

Gencler opened the scoring today in the 8^th minute when a through ball sent Eleke surging into the box without a challenge from the 3 defenders near him, and he sent his shot into the top left.

 

They almost made it 2 on the half hour mark when Lualua was clear on the left, but his shot was just past the left post.

 

10  minutes later, and after a defensive lapse by Balikesir gifted the ball to Gencler, a shot by Aktas was well saved by the goalkeeper.

 

Gencler continued where they left off in the 1^st half and almost found the 2^nd goal in the 53^rd minute when Omurcan was played through on the right, but his shot was well saved.

 

Balikesir almost found the equaliser 8 minutes later when Anil had a fierce shot from just outside the box well saved by Adiyaman.

 

However, the 2^nd goal duly arrived in the 77^th minute, and it was a goal worthy of winning any match.   A fast Gencler attack on the left had Lualua scurrying down the left, he made a pinpoint cross into the centre for Eleke to bullet a header in unchallenged.

 

Balikesir can have no complaints with the result after playing against a strong wind in the 1^st half and continually being forced to play the ball back as Gencler chased and harried in midfield.   Also, they were forced to play long balls to the attack which were swallowed up by the Gencler defence.

 

Gencler have now hauled themselves out of the bottom 3 and into mid-table.    Their next match is away to Kocaeli on the weekend of 23/24 October.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu vs Erzurumspor match preview!

 

Ankaragucu face their biggest test of the season so far as they host 3rd placed Erzurumspor on Sunday night at Eryaman Stadium. The visitors come to Ankara in impressive form with 5 wins and 1 sole defeat at leaders Umraniyespor in the last 6 games. 

Early team news and Ankargucu were given a boost during the week as both Kwabena Owusu and Hurriyet Gucer returned to the team. Owusu in particular will be a welcome addition back into the team. Murat has made that position in the wide right his own and Eren as the centre forward. Adding Owusu into the mix will give the team an excellent front 3 pairing. 

Like Ankaragucu, Erzurumspor are another of the well supported clubs in Lig 1 with big expectations from their fans to get back into the Super Lig. The start man in their side is Arvydas Novikovas who is a winger that can score goals from all areas of the pitch including set pieces. I have always been impressed with him when watching Erzurum and he should be playing at a higher level.

It looks like they will be without Aaron Olanare their main striker through injury and should go with either a 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-2-1 formation. Erzurum have been pretty solid defensively of late and it will be a big test for the Ankargucu front men.

Ankargucu put in one of their best away performances in a number of years last week at Bursa and Mustafa Dalci will be hoping for a repeat of that level of performance on Sunday night. Eren Derdiyok has proven with the right service he will score goals and the addition of Ghayas Zahid to the team provides more creativity.

Abdullah Durak as we mentioned last week put in his best performance of the season and has shown when fit he can be a big player for the club. He is the defensive midfielder who protects the defence and breaks up play, but is also good on the ball. Ishak Cakmak adds to that balance as we are now seeing he has an attacking side of his game as well as all the work he does off the ball. 

Hopefully we see a bigger crowd in the stadium for this game. The crowds have been disappointing of late due to Covid rules and protests. But if you can go to the stadium and have your vaccinations then protest in another way as the team needs the fans behind them.

Haydi Baskent!