ANKARAGUCU - SUPER LEAGUE CONSOLIDATION IS INTERRUPTED !!!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

     

I’ll start at the end again, because Nihad Mujakic’s post-match interview comments last night said it all, and both Harun and I agree with him.

 

He apologised to the large number of supporters who turned up for this mid-week fixture, but his main point was when he said that Ankaragucu had under-estimated Umraniye.    He went on to say that in the future Ankaragucu would be better prepared for the opposition   !!

 

It may only have been Umraniye’s 2^nd win of the season, but it was well deserved.    After the shock of conceding a goal in the first minute of the match, they never stopped chasing the ball and giving Ankaragucu players no time on the ball.

 

Ankaragucu was a pale shadow of the team which had played so well last week against Antalya.

 

Although Ankaragucu did have 60% possession and 22 shots on goal, they found ‘old boy’ Serkan in sparkling form between the sticks.    Also, I lost count of the times that passes went astray and 50/50 balls were lost.

 

The bottom line ............. Ankaragucu is still a work in progress   !!!

 

ANKARAGUCU               1                        Umraniye            2

 

Team – Bahadir, Kevin, Radakovic, Mujakic, Yasin, Tolga, Emre, Zahid, Pedrinho, Jese and Ali Sowe

 

Substitutes – Giorgio, Marlon, Taylan, Tasos and Oguz

 

The match took only 1 minute to explode into life when Ankaragucu opened the scoring with their first attack.     An attack down the right wing and the ball was crossed to the near post to Zahid who shot around Serkan and inside the left post.

 

The expectation of an onslaught on the Umraniye goal never materialised and Umraniye was quick to reply.

 

The equaliser arrived 7 minutes later with a fast Umraniye attack down the right and crossed in for Avounou to latch onto the ball and power his way into the box.   With Jese, Yasin and Radakovic asleep and ball watching the skill of Avounou, he had the easiest of opportunities to stroke the ball in with Bahadir exposed and helpless.

 

Serkan was busy at the other end making an instinctive save and Zahid’s shot from just inside the box was heading for the top right but was deflected by a defender for a corner.

 

Then on the half hour mark a lucky let-off for Ankaragucu when an Umraniye shot on goal hit the underside of the bar and bounced into the grateful arms of Bahadir.

 

It was end-to-end football at this stage with both goalkeepers busy.    Approaching half time and Bahadir made a crucial save following an Umraniye corner.

 

Serkan made another great save from a goal bound shot and almost on the half time whistle Tolga had a great opportunity to restore Ankaragucu’s lead but his shot was just over the bar.

 

10 minutes into the 2^nd half and Umraniye snatched the lead when the dangerous Avounou was on target again.     A corner on the right by Geraldo landed at the feet of Avounou in the centre who sent a fierce shot inside the right post, which may have taken a slight deflection off Tolga’s head.

 

At this point Ankaragucu lost the plot and Umraniye started to take control of the match.    Ankaragucu’s passing became wayward and at times they were like headless chickens with Umraniye taking full advantage.     Ankaragucu continued to give the ball away cheaply and it was Umraniye looking the likelier team to score.

 

Tasos did have a chance near the final whistle but his shot was well past the post after an excellent lofted through ball to him.

 

A disappointing result after having high expectations, but as I said before, the best team won the match and Ankaragucu can have no complaints about losing.

 

Ankaragucu may still be in 11^th position in the league, but they are only 2 points above the relegation zone  !

 

They now have only one week to prepare for the trip to Istanbul to face an in-form Galatasaray on Wednesday night 4 January.

 

This will be a real test of Ankaragucu’s character and organisation to face a team who could very well be top of the league if they beat Sivas tomorrow.

 

Give us all a Happy New Year Ankaragucu........please    !!!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI .............AND AN UNHAPPY NEW YEAR !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

I was at my daughter’s house yesterday for Christmas Dinner and liquid refreshments .........so, footie was definitely not on the menu   !!!

 

The Turkey from Turkiye was yummy and the refreshments from The Island of Islay were even yummier   !!!

 

So, the bottom line is that I couldn’t watch the match and only have scant details.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI         2                     Bandirmaspor               5

 

Team – Adiyaman, Abdullah, Metehan, Mert, Huseyincan, Gokhan, Baris, Ataberk, Aksel, Byelyayev and Altiparmak

 

Substitutes – Seyit, Hreshyshkin, Kagan and Ulusoy Mert

 

Bandirma opened the scoring in the 20^th minute with a goal by Kurucuk.

 

The 2^nd arrived 10 minutes later courtesy of Sahinturk.

 

Into the 2^nd half and Gokhan’s goal 5 minutes in proved a false dawn and Gencler’s revival was short-lived.

 

Avci restored Bandirma’s two goal cushion 15 minutes later and Aycicek scored the 4^th goal 5 minutes later to put the sword into Gencler’s hopes of salvaging something from their last match before the winter break.

 

5 minutes to go till the final whistle and Gencler staged another mini-revival when Gokhan scored from a penalty.

 

However, Bandirma wasn’t quite finished and added a 5^th goal through Saymak in time added on.

 

So, Gencler is now firmly entrenched at the bottom of the league on a paltry 7 points and are now 11 points behind the safety net.     Of course, mathematically speaking, it is still possible for Gencler to avoid the drop into the 2^nd League, but is will be a big ask when hostilities resume after the break.

 

Gencler will visit fellow strugglers Altinordu, who are only 5 points above Gencler, on the weekend of 15 January (date to be finalised).      However, if Altinordu can take something from their match at home to Rize later today, then the situation could change.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU REAP THE REWARD FOR PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Just for a change, I’ll start at the end   !!!

 

In the Coach, Omer Bey’s, post-match interview he stressed two points that were significant to winning  last night’s match.      Firstly, Ankaragucu’s passing statistics are the best in the League before a team scores.      Secondly, he highlighted the contribution of Ali Sowe to the team for his work rate and playing his part in defence, midfield and attack.    He stressed that he was a very important player for Ankaragucu.

 

Well made points by our Coach who has certainly improved the team’s overall performances since his arrival.     I anticipate more success for Omer Bey and this team as long as he is given the wherewithal to prepare the team for even greater performances next season   !

 

Also, Yasin, in his post-match interview said that during their 3 weeks ‘World Cup’ Training Camp in Antalya they had worked very hard on fitness and tactics and, as was apparent last night, it played out to perfection in the 2^nd half.

 

From my own perspective, Ankaragucu deservedly brought all 3 points back to Ankara, but they were fortunate to go in at half time all square after some defensive aberrations in the 1^st half which Antalya didn’t punish.

 

Antalyaspor             0                       ANKARAGUCU            2

 

Team – Bahadir, Yasin, Mujakic, Radakovic, Kevin, Tolga, Taylan, Emre, Pedrinho, Giorgi and Ali Sowe

 

Substitutes – Jese, Diack, Tasos and Zahid

 

As I just said, the 1^st half was a big disappointment with Ankaragucu having zero shots on target despite having an equal share of the possession.

 

Between them, Bahadir and Yasin cleared what looked like being the opening goal in the 17^th minute.

 

Half an hour gone in the 1^st half and the Ankaragucu defence was living dangerously and giving possession away too easily.

 

Approaching half time and another mistake by the defence gifted the ball to an Antalya attacker whose goal bound shot was saved by Bahadir.

 

Into time added on in the 1^st half and the woodwork came to Ankaragucu’s rescue from a free kick just outside the box.

 

The half time team talk by Omer Bey obviously had the desired effect   !!!

 

10 minutes into the 2^nd half and Yasin almost opened the scoring when he headed just wide on the left from a corner on the right.

 

However, the goal finally arrived in the 63^rd minute after some great play by our Man of the Match, Kevin, on the right.    He crossed into the crowded box and Jese was first to react and his fierce shot gave the goalkeeper no chance.

 

Kevin was causing havoc down the right and a 2^nd goal almost arrived 10 minutes later but the shot on goal was cleared.

 

5 minutes to go and Wright almost gave Antalya the equaliser, but his shot was wide of the left post.

 

Then, with almost the last kick of the match in the 10 minute of time added on, Ankaragucu caught the Antalya defence out of position with a long pass from the half way line to Ali Sowe who had ran into open space.      He surged forward and as he was entering the box, one on one with the goalkeeper, stroked the ball inside the right post for a clinical striker’s goal.

 

So, an important win for Ankaragucu which propels them out of the bottom 4 and into 11^th position in the league.     This will surely give them added confidence for the visit of bottom club Umraniye on Tuesday night.

 

Bring it on   !!!

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI EXIT THE TURKISH CUP, BUT WITH PRIDE INTACT !!

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

As expected, Super League Kayserispor eliminated Gencler from the 5^th Round of The Turkish Cup today, but they made heavy weather of it until late in the 2^nd half when they finally made the breakthrough.

 

Kayseri dominated proceedings for the most part and spent most of the match in the Gencler half of the field with Gencler defending resolutely.

 

Gencler’s performance in the 2^nd half improved, but in all honesty they never looked likely to cause a Cup  upset.     At least they continued to attempt to attack the Kayseri goal until the final whistle.

 

Kayserispor               2                      GENCLERBIRLIGI             0

 

Team – Adiyaman, Mert K, Gokhan, Abdullah, Ataberk, Huseyincan, Kagan, Baris, Aksel, Byelyayev and Altiparmak

 

Substitutes – Baran, Eralp, Seyit and Ulusoy Mert

 

The only action which brought a smile to my face in the 1^st half was when the cameraman zoomed in on the Gencler away end to show the THREE supporters there   !!!

 

The first real action in the match was in the 20^th minute when Adiyaman pulled off 3 great saves from goal bound attempts.     The first from a shot inside the 6 yard box and the 2^nd a few minutes later from a header inside the 6 yard box.    The 3^rd was a from a shot just inside the box.

 

Gencler’s only real chance in the 1^st half was a free kick just outside the box by Gokhan with 5 minutes to go which was easily saved by the goalkeeper.

 

Mustafa should have opened the scoring for Kayseri in the 45^th minute but headed over inside the 6 yard box when unopposed.

 

Into time added on, and Adiyaman again saved 2 goal bound efforts.    Firstly from a shot outside the box and then a header from the follow-up action.

 

Into the 2^nd half and Kayseri continued to ‘park the bus’ in Gencler’s half of the field and weave patterns all over the pitch, but with nothing to show for it in the final 3^rd.

 

However, that changed in the 70^th minute when Gokhan, who had just come off the substitutes bench, made the breakthrough.    A fast move on the right and the cross came into the box.    Gokhan was first to it and powered a header inside the right post.

 

5 minutes later and the 2^nd goal arrived after another fast break on the right.    The classic cut-back was made on the right into the centre for Mustafa to shoot high into the net.

 

Adiyaman saved further damage near the end when he parried a goal bound shot from outside the box and the ball was cleared from the danger area.

 

The Cup exit may well be a blessing in disguise for Gencler who can now concentrate their efforts on escaping from the relegation zone in The Championship League.     Their last match before the mini-Winter Break will be at home on Sunday against 7^th placed Bandirma who are within reach of the play-off positions.       Yet another difficult match for Gencler to negotiate  !

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU SAFELY INTO THE 6th ROUND OF THE TURKISH CUP !

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu is safely into the 6^th Round of The Turkish Cup when they saw-off the challenge of Championship side Tuzla today in Antalya.

 

As we all know, there are ‘banana skin’ matches in The Turkish Cup and this fell into that category.    However, a professional job saw Ankaragucu progress albeit in a less than exciting match.

 

Both teams obviously agreed that the match should be played in Antalya, no doubt for the convenience of Ankaragucu who have had their ‘World Cup’ Training Area there, and the fact that they will play Antalyaspor on Friday when the Super League resumes.

 

The only irritation today was that ASpor TV shared the coverage of 2 matches with the same KO time.     This resulted in having to watch the Ankaragucu match in a small screen window in the bottom right hand side of the main picture which kept changing back to the Kasimpasa v Umraniye match every 10 minutes or so.

 

ANKARAGUCU            2                        Tuzlaspor               0

 

Team – Bahadir, Marlon, Sinan, Oguz, Atakan, Diack, Zahid, Jese, Tasos, Federico and Pepe

 

Substitutes – Firatcan, Ariyibi and Babacan

 

Ankaragucu made the perfect start when they opened the scoring after only 6 minutes.   A pass was sent to Oguz on the right touchline and he sent over an inviting cross to the back post which was missed by a defender, but the ball fell kindly for Jese who shot inside the right post.

 

6 minutes later and it should have been 2 when another cross from the right fell at the feet of Pepe but he skied the ball well over the bar.

 

10 minutes later and another let-off for Tuzla when an Ankaragucu goal bound shot was cleared off the line by a defender with the goalkeeper stranded.

 

Ankaragucu looked comfortable going in ahead at half time, but Tuzla was still determined to attack and so the 2^nd goal was necessary to calm frayed nerve ends   !!

 

It duly arrived 10 minutes into the 2^nd half and it was another cross from the touchline which set it up.      This time it was Marlon who sent in an inch perfect cross to Federico inside the 6 yard box and he side-footed the ball in for a well executed goal.

 

To Tuzla’s credit, they never gave up and continued to attack throughout the match.    It was Bahadir to the rescue with 5 minutes to go when he saved a goal bound shot.      Then, almost on the final whistle they were awarded a penalty.

 

There was a hand-ball in the crowded penalty area by an Ankaragucu defender and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.      It was a well taken penalty kick to the centre, however, although Bahadir dived to his right, he managed to kick the ball over the bar while in the air.      A great instinctive save   !

 

So, with 63% possession, it was a professional if uninspiring win for Ankaragucu.      Now we look forward to the 6^th Round Draw and always hoping for another home tie.

 

As always, watch this space for the details when it has been announced.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI .........and ......... CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED !!!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

There was no Christmas cheer in Adapazari yesterday as Gencler failed in their endeavours to bring at least one point back to Ankara to lift spirits within the Club.   All they received were handshakes, which doesn’t really help their current predicament of propping up the league   !!

 

Sakarya’s 70% possession in the match is perhaps misleading due to their annoying tactic of playing a slow and ponderous approach continually moving the ball from left to right and then right to left.     Gencler, on the other hand, preferred the more direct approach, which although the more ‘spectator friendly’ didn’t reap the rewards that it should have.

 

There was about 50 Gencler supporters in the away end of the impressive Sakarya Stadium, but unsurprisingly they were drowned out by the large and vociferous Sakarya support.

 

Sakarya                2                                 GENCLERBIRLIGI           1

 

Team – Adiyaman, Mert, Metehan, Abdullah, Byelyayev, Huseyincan, Gokhan, Ataberk, Baris, Altiparmak and Aksel

 

Substitutes – Kagan, Baran, Seyit and Eralp

 

The match finally came alive after 15 minutes when a Sakarya corner on the right was only cleared to a Sakarya attacker just outside the box.     He sent the ball back to the right and in it came again to the centre to the feet of Kabongo whose shot was parried by Adiyaman straight back to Kabongo who made no mistake with his second effort.

 

Sakarya’s lead was short lived.      10 minutes later the equaliser arrived and it was a well constructed and executed goal.    Byelyayev made the crucial pass just outside the box on the left to Baris who had continued his run inside the box.    He then curled the ball around the goalkeeper and into the top right for a superb goal.

 

Gencler had two more opportunities to take the lead before the half time whistle.  The first saw the industrious Byelyayev showing great skill along the left touchline, but his excellent cross to Baris was blasted well over the bar.     Then Byelyayev had an opportunity himself just outside the box on the right, but he screwed his shot well past the left post.

 

Into the 2^nd half and Sakarya almost went ahead again 5 minutes in when Adiyaman made a crucial save at the near post from a goal bound shot.

 

15 minutes later it was the Sakarya goalkeeper to save Gokhan’s goal bound shot.

 

15 minutes later and Adiyaman to the rescue again with a save from a goal bound header just outside the 6 yard box.

 

With the match drifting towards the final whistle and only 10 minutes to go, I was thinking that Gencler might snatch one point which I suppose would have been a fair reflection on the whole match.     However, Metehan had other ideas after a ‘rush of blood to the head’   !!

 

A Sakarya attack down the left wing and the ball was crossed into the centre.     Metehan was first to it and his diving powerful header went screaming inside the left post with Adiyaman static.    A fantastic ‘own goal’ which belonged in the predatory striker category   !!!

 

There is a last chance for Santa Claus to reward Gencler next Sunday (Christmas Day) when they will be a home to mid-table Bandirma, which is the final match at the half way point in the league, and also the last match before the 3 weeks Winter Break.

 

Bandirma has only lost 3 matches this season so it will be another difficult nut for Gencler to crack.    Bandirma has a match against high flying Pendik later today, so that might be 4   ??!!

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI CAST ADRIFT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE !!

 

 

Greeting Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler is firmly rooted to the bottom of the league and is now 9 points adrift of the safety net, and with only 2 more ‘difficult’ matches left before the mini-Winter Break and the half way point in the league, it is looking ominous   !!

 

Yesterday in Ankara, and the 1^st half summed up Gencler’s recent performances, ie, 60% possession and zero shots on target.     In the 2^nd half they stepped-up a gear, but it was not enough against an efficient Erzurum team who always looked the more dangerous going forward, but they too were guilty at times of being shot-shy.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI            1                      Erzurum FC                2

 

Team – Adiyaman, Abdullah, Gokhan, Metehan, Baris, Serdarcan, Hrechyshkin, Byelyayev, Altiparmak and Ilker

 

Substitutes – Aksel, Muhammed, Ataberk and Kagan

 

Gencler’s recent habit of conceding early goals almost occurred again, but thanks to a great save by Adiyaman from a goal bound shot inside the box after only 5 minutes of play by Aaron, their blushes were spared   !

 

However, Erzurum did open the scoring 8 minutes later after a calamity by Serdarcan in midfield when he was easily dispossessed by an Erzurum attacker who drove forward into the box and sent a pass to the unmarked Suleyman on the right.      He quickly controlled the ball and clipped his shot inside the left post to punish Gencler’s defensive frailty.

 

Gencler did have a chance to grab the equaliser near the half time whistle, but Ilker, having turned his defender brilliantly inside the box on the right, scuffed his shot past the left post.

 

10 minutes into the 2^nd half and Erzurum almost made it 2 when an attacker was sent clear near the halfway line.      He surged forward and lobbed the ball over Adiyaman who had rushed out to try and intercept, but just as the ball was about to cross the line, Gokhan, who had sprinted back, cleared it to safety.

 

Then, half way through the 2^nd half, Gencler produced a goal out of nothing.      Gokhan received a pass about 25 yards out from the Erzurum goal and sent a speculative shot to the top left which the goalkeeper should have saved, but he was late to react and Gencler was back in the match.

 

However, 5 minutes later and Erzurum was back in front after the Gencler defence went to sleep   !!     A free kick was sent into the Gencler box from left to right.     It was headed back into the centre where Metehan should have dealt with it, but Aaron was allowed to swivel and poke the ball in with the Gencler defenders static.

 

10 minutes later Erzurum almost made it 3 when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box in the centre, but the free kick was sent into the wall and then cleared.

 

Herolind did score the 3^rd goal in time added on, but it was correctly ruled offside after the referee checked the VAR.

                                                                                                                                         

In the last action before the final whistle Metehan’s header was easily saved by the Erzurum goalkeeper.

 

Gencler will be away to mid-table Sakarya next Saturday 17 December with Sakarya looking to move into the play-off spots before the break.     Yet another tricky match for Gencler to negotiate   !!

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI SUNK IN THE AEGEAN SEA !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler is still with only one win in 15 matches, and it is looking ominous for their Championship League survival unless they pull a rabbit out of the hat ............. and soon.    With only 7 points on the board they are gradually losing touch with the other strugglers in the bottom half of the league.

 

They never looked like troubling a slick Bodrumspor yesterday and in the end were lucky not to concede more goals thanks mainly to Bodrumspor’s abominable shooting, especially in the 2^nd half.

 

Bodrumspor             2                          GENCLERBIRLIGI             0

 

Team – Adiyaman, Seyit, Gokhan, Abdullah, Metehan, Serdarcan, Hrechyshkin, Byelyayev, Altiparmak, Ilker and Ahmet

 

Substitutes – Kagan, Baran, Mert and Aksel

 

Bodrum was straight into the attack from the whistle and it only took 2 minutes for them to prise open the Gencler defence.    A corner on the right was sent over into the box and a Bodrum attacker back-headed the ball to the back post where the unmarked Samet was able to bullet in a header to the top left of the goal.

 

It was almost 2 a few minutes later when Adiyaman was alleged to have brought down a Bodrum attacker in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.      However, his attention was directed to the VAR and then he over-ruled his initial decision.     Probably correctly in my opinion   !

 

However, it didn’t take long for the 2^nd goal to arrive.       An innocuous looking pass from inside their own half was sent over the Gencler heads for Omar to beat the offside trap and chase the ball towards the penalty box.     Adiyaman rushed out to intercept, but Omar was first to the ball and he lobbed it over Adiyaman and chased the ball into the net for a well taken and opportunist goal.

 

The 1^st half was dominated by Bodrum who were stroking the ball around and making Gencler chase the match.      They had 13 shots on goal (4 on target) and Gencler had a miserable zero shots on goal.

 

Gencler came out for the 2^nd half in a more determined manner searching for the break through, but managed only 2 shots on target, but none of which were a threat to the Bodrum goalkeeper.

 

The 2^nd half was mostly a non-event with Bodrum slowing the match down in the last 20 minutes.     Bodrum had lots of shots on goal but their shooting was wayward and mostly the ball went sailing over the bar.

 

However, they almost made it 3 near the end when Adiyaman made a hash of a clearance but Abdullah cleared the goal attempt off the line.     Then in time added on, Bodrum missed a sitter when an attacker blasted over when it was easier to score.

 

So to the next match, and Gencler will be at home next Sunday 11 December to fellow strugglers Erzurum, who lost to Sakarya last night, and this is another of those ‘must win’ matches which takes on the added significance of a ‘really must win’ match   !!

 

Gencler need to close the gap after being cast adrift in 2^nd bottom position for quite a few weeks, and they have the ideal platform to do it.     However, Erzurum, 7 points above Gencler, will be coming to Ankara to move themselves further into mid-table and so it promises to be a real battle.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim