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

GENCLERBIRLIGI - STILL CAPABLE OF SURPRISES !

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Just when you thought Gencler were destined to be sucked back into the relegation zone, they ‘pulled a rabbit out of the hat’ last night  !!

 

I was unable to watch the match due to end of the week social festivities, however the statistics were all against Gencler.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI          2                    Bursaspor           0

 

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

 

Substitutes – Kula, Mert, Byelyayev and Altiparmak

 

Bursa had 60% possession but only managed a measly one shot on target  !!       Gencler had 5 shots on target and the one that counted was scored by Eleke just after the half time break.   Hrechyshkin put the ‘icing on the cake’ in time added on to clinch a surprise 3 points for Gencler.

 

A test of Gencler’s consistency will take place next Saturday when they travel to 4^th top Bandirmaspor.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU SHARE TOP SPOT IN THE LEAGUE ............BUT !!!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu will not be top of the league in the next few weeks on last night’s showing !!   It was a poor performance and probably the worst I have seen them play this season.    We could have been forgiven for expecting a similar score line to their previous match against Umraniye, but sadly it was not forthcoming, and Mustafa Bey, the Coach, must address this problem before next weekend  !!

 

So, this result puts Umraniye back in the driving seat, and also Eyupspor will push Ankaragucu down to 3^rd if they beat Samsunspor tonight.

 

Adanaspor           1                           ANKARAGUCU        0

 

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

 

Substitutes – Ciftci, Ishak, Ali Kaan, Cem and Geraldo

 

Only Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I were there in The Bira Park Bar to watch the match and we were the unlucky ones !!!     The 1^st half was easily forgettable which allowed us to concentrate our thoughts on another match taking place in Scotland which had a similar kick off time  !!!

 

Adana took control of the 2^nd half and always looked dangerous when they went forward, and they almost scored from the re-start.   From a free kick on the right, the ball was sent into the 6 yard box straight to an attacker who sent his header just over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

 

A wake-up call which went unheeded   !!!

 

Ariyibi had a great chance to score against the run of play a few minutes later but he shot straight at the goalkeeper when one on one !

 

5 minutes later and the winning goal came after a superb bullet of a shot by Sinan ......... BUT .......... the ball was sent into the wrong goal  !!!     It was a fast  break by Adana and when the cross came into the 6 yard box from the right there was Sinan to volley the ball in for a classic OWN GOAL   !!     The annoying thing was that if he had left the ball, it would have probably gone out of play for a goal kick  !!      However, in fairness to Sinan, he couldn’t see who was behind him and his reaction was instinctive  !

 

Akin to the rescue in the 63^rd minute when he stopped a goal bound shot from creeping in at the post.

 

Ankaragucu decided to ‘wake up’ for the last 10 minutes when Ali Kaan came on -  why wasn’t he on from the start   ???!!!

 

Ali Kaan had 2 goal bound shots spectacularly saved by the Adana goalkeeper and Eren saw his excellent header just drift past the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

 

Then we were into time added on and just time for the referee to play his ‘Get out of Jail’ card for Ankaragucu.     Eren attempted another header but had his shirt pulled by a defender, and all credit to the referee for spotting it in a crowded penalty area.

 

We all know what Eren is capable of, so we were aghast when Ciftci placed the ball on the penalty spot.     He rolled his effort with his instep straight at the goalkeeper just inside the right post.    His effort was so weak that the goalkeeper had the easiest save of the night.   

 

Mustafa Bey must take responsibility for this decision to allow Ciftci to take the penalty.   I’m not a football coach, but even I know that it is either Eren or Erdem who should take it.     Aaaaaargh ......... so a great chance was lost to ‘steal’ a point !!!

 

The last action of the match saw an Adana breakaway with the final shot hitting the post with Akin out of position.  

 

Another away match beckons next Sunday when Ankaragucu travel to Altinordu who are currently in the relegation zone.

 

Dare I say it is ............... a MUST WIN ............ match for Ankaragucu   ??!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI’s UP AND DOWN SEASON CONTINUES !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

12 matches in and Gencler is still as unpredictable as ever   !     Won 4, Lost 6 and drawn 2, Gencler is stuck in 13^th position only 4 points above the relegation zone, and with only 7 matches remaining until the Winter Break, it is looking gloomy.    Not time to hit the panic button yet, but ........... probably time to start casting the net before the January Transfer Window !!!

 

GENCLERBIRLI          0                  Tuzlaspor           1

 

Team – Adiyaman, Gokhan, Metehan, Kerem, Lualua, Hrechyshkin, Aksel, Tshibola, Baris, Eleke and Lima

 

Substitutes – Arda, Byelyayev, Altiparmak, Munhammed and Sallallich

 

The 1^st half was a ....... yawn tonight ...... and I was about to drop off to sleep when the commentator woke me up on the 36^th minute  !!     In the 1^st serious attack of the match, a cross came in from the left and Lima headed just over.

 

From the resulting goal kick, Tuzla attacked at speed down the right with the ball played to Jurgen at the half way line.   He drove forward, entered the penalty box unchallenged, and sent the ball inside the right post.    A clinical goal on the counter attack  !!

 

One minute later and it was 2, but ............. the linesman’s flag was quite rightly up for an offside goal.

 

Gencler had 2 attempts on goal in the match.    The first was a free kick attempt in the 68^th minute just outside the box in the centre which was easily saved by the goalkeeper.   The second, was a goal bound shot by Metehan 10 minutes later which was heading into the top right, but a spectacular save by the goalkeeper sent the ball out for a corner.

 

There was time for Tuzla to add a 2^nd goal in the 92^nd minute when a defender tried  a long lob from just inside his own half, but Adiyaman back-pedalled to deflect he ball out for a corner.

 

It has to be said that Tuzla deservedly took all 3 points and were in control of the match for the most part and looking the more threatening and composed team.     Gencler had a fair amount of chances but their goal attempts in the final 3^rd were pathetic and also well handled by an impressive Tuzla defence.

 

Not a match which will live long in the memory, and on this performance Gencler face a difficult season in the weeks ahead  !!

 

Next up is another home match this Friday, 26^th November, against Bursaspor.    I will be unable to watch this match, but I’ll give a brief report next Saturday.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI FIRING BLANKS !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

The ‘mini’ Ankara Derby ended in a well deserved victory for Keciorengucu today after Gencler squandered a host of chances.    Gencler had 13 shots on goal with 6 on target and yet failed to seriously trouble the Kecioren goalkeeper, Huseyin.

 

Gencler even failed to capitalise on being awarded a penalty in the 1^st minute of the match after Huseyin made an excellent save.

 

Kecicorengucu              2                       GENCLERBIRLIGI           0

 

Team – Adiyaman, Kerem, Mert, Arda, Omurcan, Hrechyshkin, Aksel, Byelyayev, Lima, Baris and Eleke

 

Substitutes – Lualua, Ulusoy, Sallallich and Serdarcan

 

Gencler kicked off and went straight into the offence with Baris carrying the ball down the right wing.    He crossed into the danger area and Huseyin parried the ball, but only to a Gencler attacker whose shot struck the arm of a defender before going out of play.    The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Lima stepped up to take the penalty.    His shot was well struck and heading inside the left post, but Huseyin made a great save to parry the ball and it was cleared by a defender.

 

Eze of Kecioren was causing the Gencler defence lots of problems with his pace, skill and running off the ball and he was unlucky in the 10^th minute to see his shot whizz just past the post.

 

Kecioren persisted in playing long balls out of defence, the majority of which were swallowed up by the Gencler defence.    Gencler, on the other hand, was playing some nice football in their build ups but firing blanks in the final 3^rd.

 

5 minutes into the 2^nd half and Eze sent a goal bound shot from outside the box to the top left, but Adiyaman made a brilliant save to divert the ball for a corner.

 

From the resulting corner, the ball was swung into the danger area and Vusal rose highest to power in a header for the opening goal.

 

5 minutes later Eze was put through in the centre but screwed his shot just past the left post when it seemed easier to score.

 

At this point in the match I was ordered out of the house by ‘She Who Must be Obeyed’ to take her on a shopping trip, so I was unable to see the 2^nd goal   !!!

 

It arrived in the 84^th minute and unsurprisingly scored by my Man of the Match, Eze, who is destined for greater things on this performance.     I should also mention the Kecioren Captain, Solmaz, who was commanding in defence and didn’t put a foot wrong  !

 

Gencler is now stuck in 12^th place in mid-table, but only 4 points above the relegation zone  !!

 

With the International Break next weekend, Gencler are next in action at home to Tuzla on Saturday 20^th November.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU TURN ON THE STYLE !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.    

 

Umraniye tasted defeat for the first time this season as Ankaragucu deservedly took all 3 points last night and returned to the top of the league, albeit on goal difference.

 

It was an emphatic victory by Ankaragucu who looked dangerous every time they ventured forward, and pleasing that Coach, Mustafa Bey, has the players playing as a ‘team unit’ now.

 

ANKARAGUCU       3                        Umraniye         0

 

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

 

Substitutes – Murat, Abdullah, Aatif, Ciftci and Geraldo

 

The Kankas met-up at The Bira Park Bar.     Maniac Kanka Harun, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Kaleci Kanka Tansu and Honourary Kanka Haluk.    Apart from the usual refreshments, we were treated to an amazing array of Mezze dishes by the new Chef ......... mmmmmm delicious   !!

 

Man of the Match, Owusu, was a thorn in the side of Umraniye throughout the match, and it was he who opened the scoring at the critical time.     After 10 minutes of sizing each other up, it was Owusu who scored the crucial first goal and what a goal it was too.    He received a pass on the left and scampered down the wing, he then cut inside taking out two defenders at the same time, and from just outside the box sent in a bullet of a shot to the top right with the goalkeeper having no chance.

 

It should have been two 10 minutes later when Ali Kaan was put through on the right.    He powered into the box, rounded the goalkeeper who committed himself to the save, and his shot just clipped the outside of the right post.     So unlucky  !

 

Approaching the half time whistle and Ali Kaan tried a long shot from outside the box but the ball sailed just over the bar.

 

The pattern of the match changed after only 5 minutes into the 2^nd half when Vrsajevic received a straight RED card for bringing Owusu down just outside the box as he was bearing in on goal and about the shoot.     Eren took the free kick and sent it just past the left post.

 

A few minutes later the speedy Murat replaced the equally speedy Ariyibi who limped off, and Murat almost scored with his first touch, but his snap shot from outside the box was well saved.

 

However, Murat made amends shortly after in the 74^th minute when he made an excellent pass from the half way line to Eren who had made a well timed run to collect the pass, and then curl the ball around the goalkeeper to send the ball just inside the right post for a great team goal.

 

Ankaragucu was now in full flow and should have made it three 10 minutes later after some nice footie on the right by Geraldo, but ......... surprise surprise ............. his cut-back to the Ankaragucu players in the centre went straight to a Umraniye defender   !!

 

With Ankaragucu seemingly content to run the clock down, another substitute wasn’t content with that  !!      In the 3^rd minute of time added on, Aatif picked up the ball just inside the Umraniye half, went surging forward, avoiding 2 tackles in the process, and sent a shot from outside the box just inside the right post.     What a way to finish a match   !!!

 

Umraniye’s attacks in the 2^nd half were sporadic, especially when they were reduced to 10 men, and they only managed one shot on target in the entire match, which was easily dealt with by Akin.

 

However, no time for Ankaragucu to relax or feel smug with four teams snapping at their heels  !      They must maintain the standard of football which they set last night.    Having goal hungry forwards all fit and firing on all cylinders, the defence staying solid, will hopefully see them doing this.

 

With the International Break scheduled for next weekend, Ankaragucu will be back in action on Sunday 21 November when they travel to play Adanaspor.

 

Well done last night Ankaragucu   !!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI – BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD !!

 

 

Greeting Kankas and Kankies.

 

After 5 league matches without loss, Gencler was given a footie lesson last night by a slick and skillful Istanbulspor team, who on this form, will be a team to watch as the season progresses.

 

The only positive for Gencler was a group of their supporters in the small turnout who have copied Eskisehirspor and formed their own little orchestra of saxophone, trombone, clarinet, etc !!       The TV camera panned in on them, but unfortunately without sound  !!

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI        0                     Istanbulspor              2

 

Team – Adiyaman, Omurcan, Arda, Gokhan, Kerem, Tshibola, Hrechyshkin, Byelyayer, Aksel, Baris and Eleke

 

Substitutes – Lima, Eralp, Sallalich, Furkan and Lualua

 

Istanbulspor almost went behind after 20 minutes when a defender, attempting to clear a left wing cross, almost screwed the ball into his own net.     Then 2 minutes later Gencler did have the ball in the net, but it was clearly an offside goal with 2 attackers caught out.

 

Istanbul settled from this point and rarely looked troubled.    They scorned a few chances before deservedly taking the lead shortly before the half time whistle.      A cross came in from the left direct to Topalli in the centre who side footed the ball into the top left for an excellently taken goal.

 

It was almost 2 shortly after when Adiyaman pulled off a brilliant save to prevent the ball going into the top right from a 30 yard screamer of a shot.

 

The 2^nd half was only 2 minutes old when Istanbulspor missed a chance to go further in front when an attacker skied over a cut-back for miss of the match.

 

However, the 2^nd goal arrived 3 minutes later from a free kick on the left.    The ball hit a head in the crowded penalty box and was deflected to Erdogan who bulleted in a header.

 

Istanbulspor was in complete control of the match from this point and almost made it 3 with 15 minutes to go when a bullet of a shot in the centre was just past the left post.

 

4 minutes into time added on and Gencler finally managed a shot on target which was well saved by the Istanbulspor goalkeeper.

 

Gencler will be in action again next Sunday when they travel across the city to play Keciorengucu who are near the bottom of the league.     Therefore, they will be in no mood to concede anything to Gencler.      An interesting match in prospect I think   !!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim