ANKARAGUCU – STILL SEARCHING !!!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Week 3 of the new season and Ankaragucu is still in the process of settling their new recruits into the team and still searching for their first win of the season.

 

However, in reality it was a match which Ankaragucu could realistically have been expected to win last night   !!

 

Having said that, it is not all doom and gloom at this stage in the season, but in retrospect they could consider themselves fortunate to win one point against a well organised Karagumruk team who played with an attacking strategy throughout.

 

I think the best is still to come from Ankaragucu and that will certainly be put to the test next Sunday against Fenerbahce at The Eryaman Stadium, which will reportedly be ready after the work has been completed on the playing surface.

 

Back to last night ............ and .........

 

Fatih Karagumruk           1                   ANKARAGUCU              1

 

Team – Rafal, Mujakic, Yildirim Mert, Ratakovic, Hayrullah, Efkan, Tolga, Andrej, Renaldo, Ali and Olimpiu

 

Substitutes – Kitsiou, Alper, Can, Rodrigues and Riad Bajic

 

It was Karagumruk who had the first opportunity to open the scoring in the 23^rd minute when Mendes missed a sitter   !    A long ball was played from left to right and then crossed back into the box to Mendes who sent his angled shot across the goal and out when it was easier to score.

 

Ankaragucu had their only chance of the 1^st half on the half hour mark when a cross came in from the left to Ali in the centre who was sandwiched between two defenders and failed to connect with the ball.    Perhaps if he had taken the ball first time on his left foot it might have gone in, but the chance was lost.

 

Then just before the half time whistle Karagumruk struck with a goal of pure class.   The ball was played into Rohden who was lurking just outside the box on the right and he sent a rocket of a shot inside the right post with Rafal understandably static.

 

Ankaragucu showed more intent in the 2^nd half as they searched for the equaliser and it duly arrived 15 minutes in.    It will not win Goal of the Season, but it was well set-up by Ali with an astute headed pass to Efkan who slipped past a defender and knocked the ball in with the goalkeeper obviously assuming that the defender would clear the ball.

 

Ankaragucu continued to search for the winning goal but were thwarted by the Karagumruk goalkeeper.  

 

Half way through the 2^nd half a slow build-up move by Ankaragucu resulted in Ali’s final goal bound shot being well saved.    Then with 10 minutes to go, Rodrigues sent a great pass to Efkan who’s goal bound shot was well saved again.

 

Almost on the full time whistle and Ankaragucu almost shot themselves in the foot with their annoying habit of succumbing to the fast break by opposing teams.    On this occasion they were lucky to see the Karagumruk attacker’s final shot being scuffed past the post.

 

In the last action of the match, Rodrigues almost scored with a piece of individual skill when his final goal bound shot was well saved.

 

Time to focus on their next match which will give a clearer picture of which direction Ankaragucu’s season will take.   Fenerbahce will be the visitors next Sunday night in what will be a golden opportunity for Ankaragucu to silence the doubters   !!!

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI ......UNDEFEATED AFTER WEEK 3 !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler deservedly took all 3 points yesterday which was mainly down to their 1^st half performance.

 

They always looked the likelier team and were well worth their half time lead.

 

The match was played at The Aktepe Stadium AGAIN due to The Eryaman Stadium still having the playing surface unprepared.      However, the word is that it will be ready for the Ankaragucu v Fenerbahce match next Sunday ....... that’s an Insallah   !!

 

Bodrum, on the other hand, was a pale shadow of last season’s team which almost won promotion to the Super League, but in all honesty they only had one real chance of an equaliser near the end of the match which was well saved by Cetin.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI             1                   Bodrumspor            0

 

Team – Cetin, Nzaba, Babacan, Wu, Ugur Akdemir, Rodrigues, Enes, Yasin, Amilton, Moustapha Yatabare and Erturk

 

Substitutes – Kemaloglu, Akabueze, Oltan and Sambou Yatabare

 

The only goal of the match came on the half hour mark.    With Gencler on the attack, a cross came in from the left into the box and was met with a weak header from a Gencler attacker straight onto the arm of a Bodrum defender.     The referee pointed to the spot for a rather harsh penalty, but there is no escaping from the letter of the handball law and the referee had no other option.

 

Moustapha Yatabare stepped up and sent a powerful shot straight down the centre with the goalkeeper diving to his left.

 

Bodrum came more into the match in the 2^nd half but both teams failed to create any more serious goal attempts until near the end when Bodrum almost conjured up the equaliser.

 

5 minutes before the final whistle and Bodrum was awarded a free kick on the left.    The ball was sent into the box and headed clear by a Gencler defender, but only to an unmarked Bodrum attacker near the 18 yard line in the centre.     He took aim and sent a goal bound shot to the top left, but Cetin made a spectacular diving save to tip the ball around the post for a corner.

 

So, Gencler remain undefeated and sit comfortably in 3^rd top position in the league, and on this form Gencler can anticipate a season of challenging in the top 3^rd of the league and put last season’s woes behind them   !

 

From what I’ve seen so far, they are playing as a team and Moustapha Yatabare is making an impact up front as he leads the line and inspires the younger players around him.

 

Next up for Gencler is a away match to newly promoted Corum next Sunday 3 September.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu 1-1 Adana Demirspor - Match Report

 

Ankaragucu returned to the capital last night with a share of the points after a 1-1 draw with Adana Demirspor. All in all its a good point but Ankaragucu will be a little bit disappointed they never took all 3 as they were the better side and Adana had a few key players missing. 

Team - Rafal, Haryullah, Uros, Mert, Mujakic, Tolga, Djokanovic, Efkan, Kitsiou, Renaldo, Ali Sowe

Subs - Bahadir, Hanousek, Atakan, Alperen, Cem, Ali Kaan, Pedrinho, Tasos, Bajic

Kafkas Tolunay handed debuts to Hayrullah, Mert and Renaldo and it was Ankaragucu who started the the more brightly. 

Renaldo Cephas showed his quality through out the game and had the first chance on the 4th minute but headed over. 

Ali Sowe had a good shot from distance a few minutes later which went just wide.

At the other end Rafal made a good save from Svensson just before Ali Sowe saw his shot easily saved at the other end. 

On the 25th minute Adana Demirspor took the lead through a harsh penalty against Mert. Mbaye Niang stepped up to take it and made it 1-0. 

Renaldo went on one of his numerous runs to set up Kitsiou at the back post who had a great chance but he put his shot wide at full stretch. Then Renaldo almost scored a brilliant goal but his shot went just wide. He really was the best player on the pitch in the first half. 

Ankaragucu got back on level terms when Tolga saw his effort saved by Ertac, but Efkan was on hand to score the rebound and make it 2 goas in 2 games. 

Into the second half and Renaldo beat a couple of players before setting up Ali Sowe who fired over.

Adana Demirspor then almost went ahead as Yusuf Sari saw his shot brilliantly cleared off the line by Mert Cetin who injured himself in the process. 

In the 78th minute Tasos shot from outside the box but Ertac saved comfortably.

In the dying minutes of the game Nani shot from distance was well saved by Rafal, and at the other end Ali Kaan went close but his shot went just wide. 

Its another tough game on Sunday as Ankaragucu travel back to Istanbul to take on Fatih Karagumruk.

New signings Olimpiu Morutan and Garry Rodrigues should be available which will give the team some much needed quality in attack.

In other news our talented young goalkeeper Kaan Cinkaya has officially left the club after his contract wasn’t renewed.

GENCLERBIRLIGI .......AND STALEMATE IN SAKARYA !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

It is normally assumed that, statistically speaking, 0-0 matches are boring and uninteresting.    However, that was not the case last night in Sakarya, despite the fact that Sakarya with 60% possession could only manage one shot on target and Gencler only two on target.

 

The match was played at a fast and furious pace throughout and it was a surprise when the match ended goal-less.

 

From what I saw last night, both of these teams will soon be regulars in the top third of the league and quite possibly chasing promotion this season.

 

Sakaryaspor           0                   GENCLERBIRLIGI               0

 

Team – Cetin, Wu, Babacan, Nzaba, Yasin, Rodrigues, Cagiran, Ugur Akdemir, Erturk, Yatabare and Ozturk

 

Substitutes – Enes, Kemaloglu, Amilton, Karakullukcu and Akabueze

 

It was end to end in the 1^st half with both teams stroking the ball around and creating chances, but the defences were solid and only one real chance occurred in the 1^st 45 when Yatabare’s shot from the 18 yard line was deflected around the post for a corner.

 

Sakarya looked the more likely team to open the scoring in the 2^nd half, but the opportunities created lacked the killer instinct in the final 3^rd.

 

Yatabare had another chance half way through the 2^nd half, but when well placed in the 6 yard box, his overhead effort was screwed past the post.

 

The final whistle arrived and I suppose Gencler will be the happier of the two teams to have taken a point in Sakarya.     However, I doubt if many visiting teams will be able to do that this season   !!

 

Next up for Gencler on Saturday 26 August is a home match against last season’s surprise package, Bodrumspor, who almost made it into the Super League.

 

Another chance for Gencler to convert their impressive build-up play into goals and points   !!

 

It remains to be seen if the Eryaman Stadium will be ready by then, or if they will play the match at The Aktepe Stadium again.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu vs Adana Demirspor - Match Preview!

 

The season has just started and already its doom and gloom at Ankaragucu and the responsibility lies with Faruk Koca and his management. Yet again Faruk has failed to deliver on the statements he made at the end of last season. 

The team had to move location at their Bolu training camp because the pitch wasn't suitable for the team to train on. Ankaragucu will now have to play their first home league match of the season in Corum as the pitch on the Eryaman stadium isn't ready. This is the 2nd season that Ankaragucu have had to play home matches away from home under this management. 

They have also failed to sign players for key areas in the team and are having to rely on the likes of Atakan, Tasos and Beridze who werent considered good enough last season. 

We are now in season 4 under the leadership of Faruk Koca and its the same story as he relies on the likes of Emre Yildiz and Erdem Karagol for new signings. Only last night he said we are awaiting 2 wingers accepting our offer that has been on the table for a few weeks. No player should be given a couple of weeks to play for Ankaragucu, you either want to play for us or you dont. But with no structured scouting network or sporting director Faruk has to rely on agents. 

Ankaragucu started their campaign last weekend against Kasimpasa and lost 3-2 with Kafkas Tolunay mostly to blame for that result. Again he decided to go with 3 at the back including Atakan Cankaya. And again Atakan made multiple mistakes, 1 of which led to a goal. 

Tolunay claimed he was in the top 5 coaches in Turkey, but insists in playing with Atakan and a formation that doesnt have the players to make it a success. 

I think we will see a change in formation with Ankaragucu going to 4 at the back against Adana Demirspor. The other strange decision from Tolunay was to comment after the game that Renaldo Cephas wasnt ready to start as he had serious short comings for the Super Lig. Cephas done more in half an hour than Tasos or Beridze did the entire match. 

Adana Demirspor have built a strong side over the last couple of seasons in the Super Lig and have added to that with some excellent performances in Europe this season. They have quality all over the pitch and it will take a big performance from Ankaragucu and some luck to take anything from this game. 

Up front they have Cherif Ndiaye who i was always impressed with when he played for Goztepe. He has some similar qualities to Ali Sowe. They have also just signed Mbaye Niang and can count on the likes of David Akintola, Nani and Yusuf Sari who is showing great form at the moment. 

Younes Belhanda, Emre Akbaba and Badou Ndiaye are all quality players in midfield who are capable of scoring and creating goals. The defence may be the weakest part of the team but they are still good players and should be challenging for another European finish this season. 

I think the best option for Ankaragucu is to go back to 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 which suit the players we have available. 

Rafal, Kitsiou, Mert, Mujakic, Hanousek, Tolga, Djokanovic, Efkan, Renaldo, Bajic, Ali Sowe

This team imo give you a better chance of taking something from the game. 

We won didn't we

The Women's World Cup in Australia (and NZ) over the last few weeks has inspired a nation! Television ratings records have been smashed as Australians have truly got behind the Matildas, the Australian women's national team, as they continue to defy expectations and are about to face England in the semi-final on Wednesday night. 

Here in Canberra, where I am nowadays, the only matches on free-to-air TV have been the Aussie ones. News reports at first didn't even bother to mention that other countries might be involved in the World Cup. It was all just Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi. errgghhh

But the crowds have been big and as we now hit the serious end of the tournament pretty much all Australians have caught the Matildas bug - including those who normally hate "soccer". 

"Its just sheilas playing wogball"*

The big wigs in charge of Aussie Rules have known for years that the World Cup was on... but they never bothered to change their own schedules. With just a couple of days left before the Round of 16 match against France they finally understood that all Australian sports fans were invested in the Matildas and they asked for a feed to the match to be played in stadiums where their games were being played.

All sorts of silly scenes at AFL matches... At one match there were boos from the crowd as the feed of the football match was cut as the Aussie Rules players ran onto the field. At others the penalty shootout coincided with a break in play and huge roars went out around grounds as Cortnee Vine scored the winning penalty.   

Not everyone though got to see the match. It didn't really matter though as all that mattered was the spirit and the fact we won! 

Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce managed to watch the match in a pub in the rural town of Walcha.   

Problem was, the whole pub were watching a replay of a friendly match from a month ago. At least we won. 

 Barnaby's innocent mistake. 

Of course, Barnaby and all of his mates at the Commercial Hotel in Walcha aren't the first to watch a repeat and have no idea... Let me hand over to Desert Kanka Murat from many many moons ago. 

Right then. Bring on England! 

* Not necessarily a quote from an Aussie Rules big wig... but I wouldn't be surprised if this is exactly what was said. 

GENCLERBIRLIGI – A POSITIVE START TO THE SEASON

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler opened the new season with 3 valuable points yesterday against a highly rated team .     Lots of new faces in the team, so it will probably take them a few weeks to gel with the old brigade who remained,

 

Gencler only had 33% possession, but the difference between the two teams was that Gencler took their two chances and scored two excellent goals.

 

Gencler has a new coach, Sinan Kaloglu, who was previously with Altay.

 

The match was played at the Aktepe Stadium, the home of Keciorengucu, which is a sensible decision with the small Gencler support always dwarfed in the 25,000 capacity Eryaman Stadium.    Even the Aktepe Stadium which has only 3 small stands, had only 2 in use yesterday  !!

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI             2                    Umraniye               1

 

Team – Cetin, Ugur Akdemir, Babacan, Wu, Yasin, Akabueze, Erturk, Rodrigues, Cagiran, Nzaba and Yatabare

 

Substitutes – Ozturk, Kemaloglu and Karakullukcu

 

It only took Gencler 19 minutes to open the scoring when Ankaragucu ‘old boy’, Yasin, headed in unchallenged in the 6 yard box from a free kick on the left.

 

10 minutes before half time and Gencler added a 2^nd when from a fast break on the left, the ball was crossed to the unmarked Ugur at the far post who volleyed the ball first time inside the left post.

 

5 minutes later Umraniye staged what I thought was going to be a fight back, when Hasan sent a shot in from the right of the 18 yard line through the defence and inside the right post.

 

However, the Umraniye fight back didn’t materialise in the 2^nd half and nor did Gencler manage any clear cut goal scoring chances.

 

In all honesty, it was an effort to stay awake throughout the 2^nd half which was one big .......yawn    !!!

 

Anyway, the bottom line is that Gencler won 3 valuable points to kick-start their season.

 

Next up for Gencler is a visit to Sakarya next Sunday 20 August which will also be another challenging match, and if Gencler can return to Ankara with at least one point, it will be regarded as a success.

 

Sakarya is one of those teams which has a strong following and a team I regard as one of the sleeping giants in the lower divisions.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU – DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES RE-SURFACE !!

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

One week into the new season and I say .........here we go again with our usual gripes of recent seasons   !!

 

Defensive blunders, panic stations and hoofing the ball anywhere from goalmouth danger areas, and Ali playing The Lone Ranger up front and being policed by 2 or 3 defenders.

 

With all due respect to Kasimpasa, this was a fixture where Ankaragucu should be taking something from to kick-start the season and they almost did, but almost meant returning to Ankara empty handed   !

 

It was a cruel ending to the match for Ankaragucu who had fought back from 2-0 down and seemed like they had played their ‘get out of jail card’, but a brilliant strike from Ouanes in time added on put paid to Ankaragucu’s efforts of salvaging a point   !

 

Kasimpasa          3                  ANKARAGUCU             2

 

Team – Rafal, Kitsiou, Uros, Atakan, Mujakic, Hanousek, Tolga, Djokanovic, Beridze, Efkan and Ali

 

Substitutes – Tasos, Turkmen, Uudag, Renaldo and Pedrinho

 

Ankaragucu was on the back foot from the kick-off and almost conceded 15 minutes in when the Ankaragucu defence was caught out with a fast Kasimpasa break, but the final shot was well saved by Rafal.

 

5 minutes later Ali almost scored when he was put through on the left but the ball seemed to be too far in front of him, but that didn’t stop the goalkeeper bringing him down as he rushed out to clear the danger.     Zero points to the referee for not having a look at VAR for a possible penalty   !!

 

10 minutes later and Kasimpasa was in front after a defensive aberration.    A free kick was awarded on the left and the Ankaragucu defence lined up along the 6 yard line but allowed Kara to stand in front of them at the near post.     The ball was sent over and Kara glanced his header in at the far post with no cover for Rafal.     Unforgivable that Kara wasn’t covered in the front and from behind ............. aaaargh   !!!

 

Kasimpasa almost made it 2 near the end of the 1^st half when from another fast break they hit the bar.

 

Into time added on in the 1^st half and Ankaragucu almost equalised when a shot from outside the box hit the post.

 

Almost on the half time whistle and the dangerous and speedy Gomis almost scored from another Kasimpasa fast break but Rafal saved his goal bound shot with his outstretched leg.

 

Into the 2^nd half and Kasimpasa was still looking the likelier of the 2 teams to find the next goal, and it came in the 69^th minute from yet another Ankaragucu defensive blunder.

 

The ball was gifted to a Kasimpasa player by an Ankaragucu defender half way inside his own half who played a through ball to Fall who had the easiest of chances to beat the unprotected Rafal.

 

It looked all over at this point, but 3 minutes later Ankaragucu was back in the match.

 

From a free kick just outside the box in the centre, Efkan curled his shot into the top left to lift the morale of the team.

 

Yet another let-off for Ankaragucu 3 minutes later when Kasimpasa hit the bar again.

 

Then 2 minutes later came the unlikely equaliser when new boy, Renaldo, opened his account on his debut.    A cross came in from the left and an attempted clearance by a defender was screwed into the path of Renaldo who made no mistake from close range.

 

Only one minute into time added on and the 3 kankas watching were happy enough with one point, but with the Ankaragucu defence all at sea, Kasimpasa contrived to miss putting the match to bed when Rafal saved a goal bound shot and the rebound hit the post and was cleared.

 

However, our relief lasted only one minute when Ouanes sent a long range shot from outside the box at the right into the top left corner giving Rafal no chance.

 

What a bummer of an ending   !!!

 

Ankaragucu will be in action again at home next Monday evening 21 August at ‘stupid KO time’ 9pm against Adana Demirspor.

 

Adana Demir is going great guns in the European Conference League this season and will be a stern test of Ankaragucu’s ability to bounce back after last night’s disappointment.

 

Hopefully Renaldo will have had another week to find full fitness and be in the starting line-up.    

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Kasimpasa vs Ankaragucu - Match Preview!

 

The 2023/24 season gets underway for Ankaragucu this Saturday afternoon as they travel to Istanbul to take on Kasimpasa. Faruk Koca today spoke of the teams target to make Top 5 and European qualification which seems very unrealistic considering the transfer activity over the summer period. 

Ankaragucu completed the 400K signing of Jamaican winger Renaldo Cephas midweek and the 23 year old will add much needed quality to the attacking positions. Kafkas Tolunay however will still have to rely on the likes of Beridze and Tasos as the club have failed to add more players needed in attack. 

The pre season campaign for Ankaragucu demonstrated the lack of quality in the wing areas and number 10 position. If Ali Sowe or Efkan get injured there is no other replacements apart from Riad Bajic who had a great season with Giresunspor last year. 

Its likely Bahadir will start in goal until Rafal catches up with fitness. The defence will see 3 CB which will include Uros, Mert Cetin and Mujakic. Stelios Kitsiou and Hanousek will play in the wing back areas.

In midfield Tolga and Djokanovic will play in the middle of the park. Djokanovic is starting to show the potential which made Ankaragucu sign him last season. Efkan will play in slightly more advanced role, and then we will see Ali Sowe and Renaldo playing as the forwards. 

There is enough quality in the starting line up to go and get a positive result. The concern is a lack of pace in the team, and also a drop off in quality from the bench. 

Kasimpasa are one of the favourites for relegation every season, but somehow find a way to stay up. They have signed Keneth Omeruo for 1 million euros who is their biggest transfer of the summer period. Like most other Turkish clubs they have saw a number of players come and go and will take a couple of weeks to see what standard they are at. 

Lets hope Ankaragucu can return from Istanbul with all 3 points, or 1 at very minimum!

GENCLERBIRLIGI – SEASON 2023/2024

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

For our regular readers a re-cap and some background for new readers.

 

This Blog/Website was founded by Oz Kanka Chris and me many moons ago when the Kanka Group was comprised of Ankaragucu and Gencler kanka.

 

With Oz Kanka now based Down-Under, I have tried to maintain a Gencler input even though this site is now weighted towards Ankaragucu.

 

Therefore, I will endeavour to report on Gencler matches this season like I have in the past, and when unable to do so for one reason or another, I will at least put the score and scorers up here.

 

Looking at the Gencler squad line-up there are lots of new names unknown to me, but one new face which stands out is ex-Sivas striker, Mustapha Yatabare, who hails from France, although he represents Mali at International level.    I have seen him play a few times and I’m sure he will be an asset for Gencler   !!

 

Gencler kick off their season on Sunday 13 August at home to Umraniye which will be a difficult match after a spirited attempt at promotion last season by Umraniye.

 

The question is ........ will Gencler be able to challenge for a return to the Super League, or face another season in the relegation zone fighting for survival   ??!!

 

As always, watch this apace for the answer as the season unfolds   !

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu sign Renaldo Cephas!

 

Ankaragucu have signed Jamaican forward Renaldo Cephas for 400,000 Euros from Madedonian side FC Skhupi. The23 year old will add much needed speed and power to the wide areas of the attack and looks like a good signing after watching some of his video footage. 

After a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Konyaspor in the teams last friendly match of pre season, it was evident that the team needed to strengthen the forward positions and give Ali Sowe some support in attack. 

Renaldo has started the season in good shape with 4 goals in his opening 4 games all in the Europa Conference qualifying rounds. Last season hes scored 12 goals and added 6 assists in the 36 games he took part in. 

The Macedonian league is a big step down in quality from the Turkish Super Lig but Renaldo looks like he has some of the key attributes that is needed to succeed. We look forward to seeing him in an Ankaragucu strip.