ANKARAGUCU - NAIL BITING STUFF

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Celebrations in Ankara last night. Turkish Cup Group Match.......

ANKARAGUCU 3 Bucaspor 1

It was a cold but sunny December afternoon when Maniac Kanka and I arrived at The Cappadokia Bar for pre-match refreshments. We were joined later by Huso Kanka and his beautiful girlfriend Fatma, and later by his friend Nihan.

Off to the match, and as you would expect from a Tuesday afternoon match, not a large crowd. However, Gecikondu were in full voice as usual and there was a fair crowd in Maraton where we decided to go.

A note for the fashion conscious...... I thought I was seeing things when Buca entered wearing their blue and yellow vertical striped shirts, but was assured that these were their normal colours. So, it was rather unusual to see ANKARAGUCU wearing white shirts and black shorts.

If we thought it was going to be a `stroll in the park` we were in for a rude awakening. Buca went on the attack from the kick off and ANKARAGUCU looked out of sorts, or perhaps they were shell shocked !!

It was no surprise therefore when Buca went ahead after 2 dreadful mistakes by Aytekin which presented Adnan with the easiest of chances and gave Orkun no chance.

Time to start looking at the nails and having a nibble me thought !!

The goal was a wake up call and ANKARAGUCU started to force the pace and play the ball forward to Bebbe and Agali who were both looking dangerous.

Then after 15 came the equaliser. A great ball over the defence from Abdurrahman Derili to the unmarked Murat and a classic goal.

It was still end to end stuff and all credit to Buca who obviously didn't come to Ankara to defend. They were getting stuck in and playing some clever footie.

On the half hour mark came what could easily have been a turning point in the match. Agali was pulled up for a clear offside but continued on his run to shoot past the Buca goalkeeper. Out came the yellow card quite rightly. So then a few minutes later he compounds his folly and kicks the ball out of play when the Referee awarded a free kick against him. Red card and what a W****R !! Me thinks his days may be numbered at ANKARAGUCU !!!

Into the 2nd half and I was looking at my nails again and starting to have another nibble and a chew !! ANKARAGUCU were in control but the 2nd goal wouldn't come despite the pressure and shots on goal.

We had to wait until half way through the 2nd half for the break through. A great goal by Bebbe who latched on to a loose ball after another mistake by Aytekin and fired in a fiece shot which gave Fatih in goal no chance.

Still Buca continued to take the game to ANKARAGUCU and I was looking at my nails again wondering whether to have another nibble. However, all was made safe in the 75th minute with a great solo goal from Captain Ceyhun. He weaved past 3 defender and then struck a thunderbolt with Fatih rooted to the spot. Game over and no more nail biting !!

Buca ran out of steam at this stage and it was all ANKARAGUCU in the last 10 minutes. Man of the match (again) Derili, sent in a screamer in the last minute from about 30 yards out which had the goalie beaten, but the ball hit the bar and went out of play.

So, still all to play for in the group. ANKARAGUCU has 9 points from 3 games, but still have to play Besiktas away on 14 January.

The spotlight turns on Gencler today (Wednesday) when they take on Besiktas in Ankara. This is a MUST WIN match for Gencler if they want to keep their cup aspirations alive.

A report from Oz Kanka tomorrow on that match.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim