ANKARAGUCU COME CRASHING BACK DOWN TO EARTH

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

After the euphoria of winning away to Trabzon two weeks ago, ANKARAGUCU came crashing back down to earth with a reality shock last night in Ankara. After going ahead early in the second half, they finally `presented` the points to Galatasaray.

ANKARAGUCU 1 Galatasaray 2

Oz Kanka and I were in the Cappadokia Bar to watch the match live on TV and we were well satisfied with ANKARAGUCU’s first half performance. It was pretty much end to end stuff, but ANKARAGUCU were looking the more likely team to score, and they almost did when a looping shot from Dereli almost caught Mondragon out, but he scrambled back to tip the ball away for a corner as it was heading into the top left hand corner for a goal.

Serkan at the other end was never troubled, and in fact, it has to be said that Galatasaray looked `out of sorts` with Hakan Suker running around like a headless chicken.

Into the 2nd half and there was reason to be otimistic as ANKARAGUCU continued to attack and look the likelier team. The goal came when Galatasaray tried to engage their offside trap, but it went horribly wrong for them when Mustafa played on, despite the protests from the Galatasaray defenders, and sent Mondragon the wrong way for a well deserved opening goal.

However, a double substitution by Galatasaray was to prove the turning point when Hasan Sas and Necati came on for the ineffective Sukur and Cihan. Galatasaray were now a different team and it was as though they had received a `wake up call`.

ANKARAGUCU were now on the back-foot and having to defend desperately as Galatasaray came more and more into the game.

The equaliser soon arrived but it really should have been prevented. An outswinging cross came in from the left wing which should have been attacked by the defence. However, Serkan foolishly came out for it and only managed to `half` punch it clear direct to Necati who volleyed in with only a defender on the goal-line helpless to stop it.

I’m sure Hikmet Bey will be stressing to Serkan that he can attack inswinging crosses, but outswingers should always be left to defenders to deal with !!

Galatasaray had their tails up now and sensed victory. It came shortly after the equaliser, and yet again, was caused by another defensive blunder.

Hasan had the ball on the left touchline, and with Devran marking Necati running into the penalty box, there seemed no danger. However, Hasan beat the defender who was marking him and fired in a cross which went straight to the unmarked Necati to score an easy goal with Serkan helpless.

A `school boy` error from Devran `ball watching` instead of following and marking Necati, so perhaps Hikmet Bey will be having a `few choice words` with him in training sessions this week !!!

Some of the players started to become ill-tempered in the closing minutes, and inevitably it was Hasan Sas who was causing the problems. He and Sedat were throwing handbags at each other and eventually a pushing and shoving session occurred which brought the red card out for both players.

Erdal Keser, who was trying to defuse the situation, also received a red card. Obviously, the referee thought differently !!

One of these days Hasan Sas might stop being a moaning `cry baby` and grow up. Then again, perhaps it is too late for him to change the habits of a lifetime !!!

With all the yellow and red cards being waved around yesterday, it means that ANKARAGUCU will be without Emre and Sedat next week. Not a happy prospect with TWO of our best defenders suspended !

ANKARAGUCU is now only 5 points above 3rd bottom Denizli, and with 2 away games coming up in Konya and Erciyes respectively, they are still in a critical situation.

Good luck to Genclerbirligi tonight against Besiktas in their quest for UEFA Cup qualification. Oz Kanka will give his report on the match tomorrow.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim