GENCLERBIRLIGI REGAIN FOCUS !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

After last week’s capitulation in the ‘mini’ Ankara Derby, Gencler is back on track to challenge for a play-off place after seeing-off Erzurum yesterday.

 

With only 3 matches left, it is now in their own hands, but they must first face 2^nd top of the league Goztepe next Sunday in what will surely be the match which defined their prospects of achieving it.

 

Despite Erzurum having the lion’s share of possession yesterday, they failed to take their numerous chances, especially in the 1^st half, and therefore paid the ultimate price.

 

On the other hand, Gencler took their chances and scored 2 goals which was really no more than they deserved after their persistence.   There can be no doubting their determination to make the play-offs, and had it not been for a dip in their early season form, they would probably have clinched it at this stage in the season.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI              2                      Erzurumspor             0

 

Team – Ertugrul, Nzaba, Yigit, Babacan, Yasin, Oguzhan, Amilton, James, Akabueze, Ensar and Melih

 

Substitutes – Musa, M. Yatabare, Ozgur and Baran

 

It was Erzurum who looked the likelier of the two teams in the 1^st half and Gencler had Ertugrul to thank for restricting their attacks.   In the first 20 minutes of the match he saved two fierce long-range goal bound shots.

 

It took Gencler until 5 minutes before half time to trouble Erzurum when a long-range shot was parried by the goalkeeper and the follow-up shot was cleared by a defender on the line.

 

Erzurum almost opened the scoring a few minutes later when a goal bound shot was well saved by Ertugrul for a corner.

 

Then, almost on the half time whistle, and against the run of play, Gencler snatched the opener.    A long range goal bound shot by Ensar was parried by the goalkeeper and Melih (the predator  !!) was first to the ball to head in unchallenged.

 

Erzurum almost found the equaliser just after the resumption when a shot hit the post and rebounded to an Erzurum attacker who blasted the ball over with the goal at his mercy   !

 

Erzurum continued to search for the equaliser but the Gencler defence was resolute in thwarting their efforts in the final 3^rd.    Consequently, they gradually resorted to long range efforts.

 

Then, with 20 minutes to go, Gencler pulled the trigger.    A fast break on the left and the ball played to Akabueze in the centre, and from the edge of the box he sent his shot inside the left post.

 

5 minutes to go and Amilton almost made it 3 but his shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.

 

So, as I said earlier, Gencler face the acid test next Sunday when the travel to take-on an in-form Goztepe team who are only 6 points behind top of the league Eyupspor.     Both teams will be anxious to claim all 3 points so a close encounter is guaranteed.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim