ANKARASPOR WIN THE ANKARA SPORTSWRITERS CUP

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Results from last night in the Ankara Sportswriters Cup -

FINAL - Ankaraspor 2 Genclerbirligi 0

3rd/4th Play Off - Ankaragucu 1 Eskisehirspor 3

Not much to be said about Ankaragucu's abysmal performance in this year's competition ! Except perhaps that things can only get better ??!!

I watched the final on TRT1 last night and was very impressed with Ankaraspor (Oz Kanka will never forgive me for saying that !!).

They totally dominated the first half but couldn't put all their pressure into goals.

The 2nd half was more even with Gencler coming out of their shell and putting some attacking moves together. However, their ex-goalkeeper Gokhan, was equal to anything that came his way.

Ankaraspor was still looking the more likely team to score and it came in the 75th minute from a dubious penalty. The referee, Ozguc Turkalp, is a personal friend of mine so I won't be too critical. Enough for me to say that some referees (me included) would have seen a 'dive' from the Ankaraspor attacker !!

The impressive Murat Tosun sent Ulas the wrong way and the writing was on the wall for Gencler.

Gencler was still pressing for the equaliser on 90 minutes when they left themselves exposed for an Ankaraspor breakaway. It was a sucker punch of a goal and too easy with 3 attackers converging on Ulas and it was slotted in easily by Hurriyet to kill off the match.

If any of the Gencler kankas were watching the match I'm sure you will agree that the best team won and congratulations to Ankaraspor for scoring 6 goals in the competition and lifting the Cup.

There were a few 'camera zoom-ins' on I. Melih Gokcek and I hope to see that smug smile taken off his face as the season gets underway in earnest !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim