ANKARAGUCU – ANOTHER WINTER OF DISCONTENT APPROACHES

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

After all the euphoria of a Cup win against a 2nd division team and a modest league win last week, it was back to reality for Ankaragucu last night in the Ankara Derby.

ANKARAGUCU 0 Genclerbirligi 2

There was a good turnout of kankas at The Chopin Bar for this one. On the Ankaragucu side – Maniac Kanka Harun, Mountaineering Kankas Robbie and Judy, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Rip Off Kanka Erman, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Selda Kankie and a new kanka recently arrived from the UK, footie fanatic Cardiff Kanka Richy. Richy comes to us with a wide knowledge on footie matters and will be a valuable new member of our group.

On the Gencler side – Oz Kanka Chris, Flying Dutchman Kanka Carlo and Protokol Kanka Emin.

Off to the Stadium then, full of the usual optimism and no problems getting in with our new Kombine Cards (Season Tickets) – thanks for arranging it Maniac Kanka ! We were met in the Stadium by Yankee Kanka and Pegasus Kanka Emir and his beautiful fiancée.

The 3 Ankaragucu tribunes were almost full, the noise levels were high and expectations were also high. The Gencler `away` end was doing its best to be heard but it was a losing battle ! Maniac tried to do a head-count and made it 39. However, as I have said before, he has a problem sometimes with Mathematics – those who have seen him play darts will no doubt agree !! I think the figure was nearer 49 ! Any other offers ?

More mutterings of discontent from me when I saw the Ankaragucu starting line-up. It has been plain for all to see for some time that some players in the team are not doing the biz and those are – Cem Can, Barbaros and Murat Duruer. I’m not suggesting for a minute that I am more knowledgeable than Hakan Kutlu, but surely he can see the obvious. He has been at the Club for many years and may well be influenced `from high above`, and if so, a sure recipe for disaster.

After paying a respectful one minute silence for the recent atrocities in the east by the PKK, the match got underway.

It was a whirlwind start by Ankaragucu for the first 15 minutes which had Gencler on the back foot and Serkan a spectator. Murat Duruer (3 times), Mehmet and Gokhan all had good chances to open the scoring but the ball was either flying over the bar or past the posts. I was wondering how long Ankaragucu could maintain this level of attacking. I shouldn’t have bothered !

Gencler took `the sting` out and began to come more into the match. I have to praise their Back 4 who were looking solid and dealing well with `Lone Ranger` Mehmet. Ankaragucu (inevitably) lost their momentum and Gencler finished the first half looking the stronger team.

Mehmet Nas had a screamer of a goal bound shot well saved by Serkan, and at the other end Gokhan went on a run, beat 4 defenders, and with Peric beaten, sent his shot against the post.

Time for a half time cuppa and more mumblings of discontent !

The same line up for the 2nd half and I’m shaking my head in disbelief. Did Hakan Kutlu learn nothing from the recent Istanbul BBS match ??!! Murat Duruer hugging the left touchline well policed, Gokhan the only danger on the right trying crosses into the `Lone Ranger`, but with Gencler’s Back 4, particularly Traore, missing nothing in the air it was like wishing for a miracle !

These tactics may well work if the midfield supports the attack ! In that case, where was Cem Can, Barbaros and Murat Erdogan ?? Good question !

Halfway through the 2nd half and the defining moment. Gencler received a free kick outside the box. `The Wall` was positioned, Kahe stepped up and drove in low and hard past `the wall` into the bottom left to score a classic free kick goal. Serkan almost reached it, but let’s face it, it should have been dealt with by `the wall`.

We could hear the Gencler fans now as the Ankaragucu tribunes recovered from the shock !

There then followed another amazing decision by Hakan Kutlu. Off came Murat Erdogan (captain) who was having a fair match (at least he was trying to inspire others around him) and Gokhan our most dangerous forward.

Looks of amazement all round from the kankas. Mountaineering Kanka asked me later what was the purpose of withdrawing those 2 and all I could muster was a blank look and a shrug of the shoulders !

On came Jaba and Metin, but it made little difference as Gencler continued to press forward and play the better footie.

Then 15 minutes from the end Gencler `put the sword in`. Ilkem was dispossesed by Engin near the right touchline and ended up on his ass. Murat Duruer (for once) was in a position to retrieve the situation but some skilful footwork from Engin avoided 2 attempted tackles and eluded Ilkem scuttling back. He turned both players, looked up and curled a fantastic swerving shot around Serkan into the top left hand corner for number 2. For me, goal of the season, so far !

More singing from the Gencler supporters as the Ankaragucu tribunes vented their anger on the management in Protokol. I saw a plastic chair flying into Protokol from Kapali. Hope it didn’t hit Emin !

War didn’t quite break-out, but we had to endure a few skirmishes in Maraton !!

So, `a good day at the office` for Gencler and a well deserved win. There can be no complaints from Ankaragucu who were well beaten by a fitter and stronger team. Also, there were 2 high quality goals to savour for Gencler.

No league footie next week which will be of some relief to Hakan Kutlu. He now has 2 weeks to work on a new team formation and game plan, and then it is off to Sivas.

This is not an easy league (ask CimBom and Fener !!) and there will be no respite in Sivas. The winter of discontent approaches for Ankaragucu me thinks !

All the best from Discontented Eski Kanka Jim