GENCLERBIRLIGI .......AND A SHARE OF THE SPOILS !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

The final score yesterday was probably a fair reflection on the balance of play, with neither team dominating proceedings.

 

Gencler is fast becoming the draw specialists of this league with them registering their 6^th draw of the season, however on the plus side, they remain unbeaten in their last 8 league matches.

 

Erzurumspor          1                 GENCLERBIRLIGI           1

 

Team – Orkun, Yasin, M. Cagiran, Nzaba, Ugur, Akabueze, Wu, Erturk, Enes. M. Yatabare and Kayode

 

Substitutes – Ozturk, Bugra, Oltan, Rodrigues and Yigit

 

The match didn’t ‘wake up’ until the 25^th minute when Erzurum almost took advantage of a Gencler defensive error.    A weak back pass by a Gencler defender was pounced on and the goal bound shot was well saved by Orkun.    From the resulting corner, Orkun again made a good save from a shot on target.

 

Gencler had a chance to open the scoring on the half hour mark when Yatabare’s goal bound header was well saved for a corner.

 

Then shortly before the half time whistle came a piece of individual skill from Eren when he received a pass on the right.     He was forced almost to the goal line but managed to round the out rushing Orkun to send his angled shot inside the far post.

 

Into the 2^nd half and Erzurum almost found their 2^nd goal when Wu cleared a shot off the line with Orkun beaten.

 

15 minutes to go and again Erzurum almost scored when Sefa sent in a bullet of a shot which rebounded off the post to safety.

 

Gencler’s persistence paid off 5 minutes later when they found the equaliser and it was a well worked goal.   From a corner on the right, Cagiran was not picked-up and was allowed to ghost in unchallenged to glance his header inside the left post.

 

Inside time added on and Gencler had a golden opportunity to sneak all 3 points when Kayode’s shot from inside the 6 yard box was blasted over the bar.

 

Gencler remain in a challenging position in the league but slip to 6^th.     

 

Next up is a crucial home match on Sunday 10 December against fellow promotion hopefuls Goztepe who are just above Gencler in 4^th position.

 

However, prior to that the focus returns to the 4^th Round of  The Turkish Cup.     Gencler will play Bornova at home on Wednesday 6 December.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome of both matches.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU GRIND OUT A POINT !!

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu won a vital point last night to maintain their serious challenge for European Football next season.    In all honesty, it could have been 3 points after the players gave an impressive fighting performance throughout the match which has obviously been driven by Coach Emre.

 

It isn’t easy to single out players, but I have to mention Ali’s work rate, Atakan’s improving reliability in defence and Renaldo who gave the BJK defenders a torrid time down the left during the match.     Emre Hoca seems to have moulded them into a team with fighting spirit and a never-say-die attitude   !      Whether that will be enough towards the end of the season remains to be seen    !!!

 

ANKARAGUCU           1                      Besiktas             1

 

Team – Bahadir, Atakan, Mert, Mujakic, Alper, Ali Kaan, Pedrinho, Morutan, Efkan, Renaldo and Ali

 

Substitutes – Rodrigues, Hanousek, Tasos and Andrei

 

Ankaragucu was first to threaten in the 13^th minute when Renaldo outpaced 2 defenders down the left wing, but his angled shot was saved.     4 minutes later he had another goal bound shot saved.

 

However, 3 minutes later Ankaragucu went ahead when a BJK defender made a sloppy pass to a team mate which was intercepted and the ball played forward to Ali.     He drove into the box, and despite being sandwiched between 2 defenders, managed to wriggle himself free and let fly with his left foot from the left to inside the right post.    Great persistence by Ali to make the space for the shot   !

 

The Ankaragucu players were fighting like terriers and chasing every loose ball and BJK players in possession during the 1^st half.

 

Unsursprisingly, the pace of the match slowed a little in the 2^nd half with BJK having most of the ball, but fortunately they were not firing on all cylinders and it took an Ankaragucu error to assist them with the equaliser   !!!

 

It was in the 73^rd minute with Ankaragucu looking like they could see out the match for all 3 points when disaster struck.      I don’t want to point my gun at Efkan because. of course, all players make mistakes from time to time, but he chose a bad time to make his howler !   Only he knows what he was attempting, but he somehow contrived to give the ball away on the centre line when seemingly not under any pressure.    Alex Chamberlain took off with the ball with the Ankaragucu defence caught unawares.     He surged into the box with not one tackle being made and shot inside the left post.    A real sickener of a goal to concede.

 

Approaching the final whistle and Bahadir made a great save from a goal bound header. 

 

In the last action of the match Tasos scored with a header which was correctly ruled offside and Morutan sent a shot into the side netting.

 

Anyway, as I said, it was a hard earned point which keeps Ankaragucu in the mid-table area of the league with still all to play for.

 

Up next is another home match on Monday 11 December against Rize who are 4 points above Ankaragucu in the league.    Needless to say that this is one of those MUST WIN matches to move into a serious challenging position in the top half of the league.

 

However, prior to that we turn our attention back to The Turkish Cup.     Ankaragucu will be at home on Thursday 7 December against Iskenderun in the 4^th Round.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome of both matches.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI – SQUANDERING COSTLY !!!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler may live to regret not taking all the chances which were presented to them last night  by a poor Kecioren team who look out of their depth in this league   !

 

Gencler had the opportunity to kill the match off just before the final whistle but they sent a penalty kick over the bar which allowed Kecioren to share the points, which in all honesty, they never deserved on the balance of play.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI             1                     Keciorengucu             1

 

Team – Orkun, Ugur, M. Cagiran, Nzaba, Yasin, Kemaloglu, Cek, Enes, Akabueze, Kayode and M. Yatabare

 

Substitutes – Wu, Ozturk, Erturk, Rodrigues and Karakullukcu

 

On the whole, it was a scrappy match and looked like heading for a 0-0 ‘yawn’ until Kayode woke me from my half slumber in the last 10 minutes of the match   !!

 

The 1^st half was a great big bore with, especially Kecioren, playing ..........let’s pass the ball back from the halfway line to the goalkeeper   !!     Also, twice in the 1^st half Kecioren defenders made sloppy back passes to their goalkeeper which were not punished by Gencler.   However, in the 2^nd half their 3^rd horrendous back pass was punished   !!

 

Akabueze almost opened the scoring at the beginning of the 2^nd half with a goal bound shot which was well saved by the Kecioren goalkeeper.    Then ...........the match resumed its tedious drift  until 10 minutes before the final whistle when it suddenly exploded into life ........and about time too   !!!

 

A Kecioren defender sent a ‘lazy’ back pass to his goalkeeper which was pounced on by Kayode who took the ball almost to the left goal line and then clipped a very acute angled shot past the goalkeeper and inside the far post for a classic predatory goal   !!

 

That was it, but no, there was still time for a salvage operation by Kecioren.    2 minutes to go and a Gencler defender needlessly clipped Ankaragucu ‘old boy’ Ariyibi’s ankle in the box when there was no apparent immediate danger.     Jurgen sent his shot down the centre with Orkun diving to his right.

 

That was it, but no, there was still time for Gencler to take all 3 points 4 minutes into time added on when they were awarded a penalty.     The offence occurred on the referee’s blind-side when Kayode was floored inside the box with a defender’s knee into his back.    The referee consulted VAR and a great chance for Gencler to put the match to bed.

 

Musa Cagiran took responsibility and sent his penalty kick a few inches over the bar to waste a golden opportunity   !!

 

As I said, this was a match which Gencler should have won, but on a positive note, they have now gone 7 league matches unbeaten and are still in the play-off zone and only 6 points behind 2^nd top Kocaelispor.

 

Next up is a visit to mid-table Erzurumspor next Sunday 3 December,

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Gaziantep 0-1 Ankaragucu - Match report!

 

Ankaragucu returned to the capital with all 3 points after a 1-0 win at Gaziantep and an unlikely hero in Alper Uludag. 

Team - Bahadir, Atakan, Uros, Mujakic, Alper, Ali Kaan, Efkan, Pedrinho, Morutan, Cephas, Ali Sowe

Subs - Rafal, Tasos, Kitsiou, Cem, Garry, Mert, Hanousek, Bajic, Macheda, Hayrullah

Gaziantep started brightly and created the first chance after 2 minutes when Gradel got in behind Atakan but dragged his shot across the face of goal. 

Efkan had a great chance to put Ankaragucu ahead on the 15th minute after great play from Morutan, but he put his shot just over the bar as Florin fumbled the cross into the box. 

Neither side created much as both lacked the quality in attack apart from Ali Sowe who was again showing how important a player he is for Ankaragucu. 

Cephas had a shot from the edge of the box just before half time but Florin easily saved in the Gaziantep goal.

Then 1 minute later came the opening goal. Great play from Ali Sowe and Morutan to set up Alper who from 25 yards blasted his shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net to put Ankaragucu in front. Great goal all around. 

Half Time - 0-1

Into the second half and the first chance came for Gaziantep through Markovic but Bahadir saved easily. 

A few minutes later Cephas cut inside and shot from outside the box but Florin made a good save . 

Efkan then had a shot from distance after brilliant play from Pedrinho but it went just past the post. He should have however played in Tasos who had made a good run. Tasos had another chance a few minutes later but she shot wide of the post.

Ali Sowe had a great chance in the last minute as he was put through on goal, he took a good first touch and then tried to lob Florin but the keeper made a good save.

Ankaragucu hung on for the 3 points and it will be even more satisfying for Emre Belezoglu with the team keeping a clean sheet. 

Next up is Besiktas at home next Sunday. A huge game for the club in front of a sold out Eryaman Stadium and the club have confirmed Besiktas fans will be allowed into the stadium which should make for a hostile, and entertaining night. 

THE 56th TSYD (SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION) CUP !

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

The TSYD Cup is normally held in August every year as a curtain-raiser to the new league season.    However, this year, with the Eryaman Stadium being renovated, and work being behind schedule, a revised date was decided to play the match during the International Break.

 

Ankaragucu won The TSYD Cup last night with 2 well taken goals in the 1^st half.      The 2^nd half was a non-event with both teams using lots of substitutes (I lost count of how many were used   !!!) which altered the rhythm of the match.    Also, the heavens opened up with a serious downpour which didn’t help matters   !!

 

Anyway, this is the first silverware won by Ankaragucu in ‘many moons’ and we should celebrate this unlikely event   !!!

 

With all due respect to Gencler, the suspect Ankaragucu defence wasn’t really tested last night, but no doubt it will be next Saturday when they return to league action in Gaziantep.

 

ANKARAGUCU             2                    Genclerbirligi               0

 

Team – Bahadir, Radakovic, Atakan, Mert, Alper, Cenk, Ali Kaan. Efkan, Sirac, Bajic and Renaldo

 

Ankaragucu almost opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute when Alper sent a long range bullet of a shot goal wards but Orkun made a great save which must have stung his hands   !

 

However, it was no surprise when the opening goal came 13 minutes later.    A free kick on the right was sent into the box which was headed in by Atakan who found space in the crowded box.

 

Ankaragucu looked comfortable with their lead and it was no surprise when they added a 2^nd goal 8 minutes later.      Good work by Sirac on the right when he sent a pass inside to Atakan who’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper straight to Efkan who made no mistake from close range.

 

Bahadir was only called into action once when he saved a goal bound shot on the half hour mark.  

 

Almost on the half time whistle and Renaldo had a great opportunity to add the 3^rd when he received a pass on the half way line.    He set off like a whippet with Gencler defenders frantically trying to keep up, but once inside the box his shot went narrowly past the post.

 

No serious action worthy of mention in the 2^nd half with Ankaragucu comfortable in possession and Gencler showing no threat up front.

 

The Man of the Match (nominated by the TSDY representative) was Atakan.    With a goal, an assist and a clean sheet in defence, it was an obvious choice   !

 

I should also mention the contribution of ‘new boy’ Sirac who gave the Gencler defence a few problems throughout the match.      We are sure to see more of him on a regular basis  !!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI – PROMOTION STILL IN SIGHT ?!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Gencler achieved a notable success in Adana last night to maintain their involvement in the promotion race.

 

They remain unbeaten in their last 6 league matches and currently occupy 4^th position in the league, only 5 points behind league leaders Eyupspor.    However, their position could change with most of the teams also challenging for promotion playing today and tomorrow.

 

I was unable to watch the match due to the Ankaragucu match having the same kick off time, so this will be a brief report   !

 

Adanaspor         0                GENCLERBIRLIGI            2

 

Team – Orkun, Cek, M. Cagiran, Babacan, Ugur, Yasin, Enes, Kemaloglu, Karakullukcu, Kayode and M. Yatabare

 

Substitutes – Wu, Erdal, Nzaba, Erturk and  Akabueze

 

Kayode scored both goals.    The 1^st early in the 1^st half and the 2^nd near the end of the match.

 

Orkun and the defence will no doubt have been kept busy with Adana having 62% possession and 7 shots on target as opposed to Gencler who had 3 shots on target   !

 

Next up for Gencler is the ‘Mini’Ankara Derby at home against Keciorengucu after the International Break.

 

However, prior to that Ankaragucu will play Genclerbirligi in the annual Ankara Sportswriters Cup next Saturday.    This match is normally played in August as the curtain raiser to the season, but due to the Eryaman Stadium being re-surfaced it had to be delayed this season.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU – DEFICIENCIES RUTHLESSLY EXPOSED !!!

 

 

Greeting Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu was clinically and professionally dismantled by an exceptional Antalyaspor team last night and, I stress, the score line didn’t flatter Antalyaspor.

 

Antalya dominated the match from start to finish, especially in the 1^st half, when they blew Ankaragucu away and it was surprising that they only went in 2 goals up at halftime.   Ankaragucu by contrast was a pale shadow of the team that promised so much since the arrival of Coach Emre Belozoglu and couldn’t even manage one shot on goal in the 1^st half far less involve the Antalya goalkeeper in the match   !!

 

For example, the 1^st half statistics speak volumes .........

 

Ankaragucu – 0 shots on goal

Antalya – 13 shots on goal with 6 on target

 

ANKARAGUCU              0                      Antalyaspor               4

 

Team – Rafat, Bilazer, Radakovic, Mujakic, Hanousek, Tolga, Pedrinho, Efkan, Tasos, Rodrigues and Ali

 

Substitutes – Atakan, Morutan, Renaldo, Ali Kaan and Macheda

 

It was no surprise when Antalya went ahead as early as the 7^th minute when Ankaragucu gave the ball away cheaply on the halfway line. The ball was swept forward to Larsson on the left and from just outside the box he sent his shot inside the right post.

 

7 minutes later it was almost 2 when a cross came in from the right and the glancing header from an attacker went narrowly past the post.

 

However, the 2^nd goal did arrive on the half hour mark when Pedrinho gave the ball away cheaply inside the Antalya half of the field.    The ball was played forward to Jehezkel who took off like a whippet, and in the process, outpaced two Ankaragucu defenders.     Inside the box he stopped, swivelled, and sent the ball in between Rafat and the two defenders.

 

Antalya had two further chances to find the 3^rd goal but in both instances Rafat made two excellent saves from goal bound shots.

 

Antalya started the 2^nd half in a similar vein as the 1^st half and almost found the 3^rd goal after 10 minutes when Mujakic was outmuscled by an attacker, but his goal bound shot was fortunately saved by Rafat with his legs and knees  !

 

20 minutes into the 2^nd half and Ankaragucu had their first shots on goal when Morutan and Macheda had efforts which both went past the post   !!

 

A few minutes later and the sword went in    !!!       It was a goal of simplicity.     A cross came in from the left and Buksa met it with 3 defenders around him transfixed and ‘watching in admiration’   !!!

 

10 minutes to go and Ankaragucu finally put 2 shots on target   !       Ali and Macheda both put weak shots in, but both straight at the goalkeeper which were easily saved.

 

5 minutes to go and Antalya put the final nail in   !!      A slack back pass by Mujakic was pounced on by Assomcalonga who had a clear run on goal and sent the ball inside the left post with Rafat left exposed.

 

Emre Bey is obviously going to have a major task on his hands this week to restore morale and prepare the team for another difficult match away to Gaziantep after the International Break.    However, prior to that Ankaragucu will play Genclerbirligi in the annual Ankara Sportswriters Cup next Saturday.    This match is normally played in August as the curtain raiser to the season, but due to the Eryaman Stadium being re-surfaced it had to be delayed this season.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim