ANKARAGUCU - THE REAL LIONS OF THE SUPER LEAGUE !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Galatasaray 2 ANKARAGUCU 4

Now that the dust has settled, and my hangover departed, it is time to try and remember the details of last night, which I have to confess are still a bit hazy !

We met up in The Beer Bus Bar as usual - Maniac Kanka Harun, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Marash Kanka Hakan, Roger the Dodger Kanka and yours truly. We were then joined by the Gencler kankas returning from the Stadium - Oz and Little Oz Kankas Chris and Mathew and Flying Dutchman Kanka Carlo.

I must confess I was feeling rather optimistic pre-KO ....... perhaps it was the Efes, or the optimism pill, or even the starting line up -

Ozden
Ugur, Klukowski, Zewlakow and Rajnoch
Ozgur, Weeks, Sapara and Guven
Sestak and Metin

2nd half substitutes used - Aydin, Hurriyet and Turgut

I was particularly pleased that Umit Bey had decided to play 4-4-2 and Ankaragucu was straight into attack mode from the KO.

As I've said a thousand times, this is the only way to play against the Istanbul teams !

We didn't have long to wait for the first goal which was a clinical strikers goal from Metin after 3 minutes of play. A free kick was quickly taken near the halfway line (was the ball moving when it was taken ????? - nahhhhhh .... optical illusion !!!) to the running Metin. He left 3 defenders in his wake with his pace, controlled the ball on the run, and tucked it away in the corner of the net with Ufuk nowhere near it.

This was the turning point of the match that posted a statement that Ankaragucu had not come to lie down to the lions. It was Ankaragucu who was roaring a challenge !!

Galatasaray weaved their patterns all over the place in the first half to try and find a way back but Ozden and the defence were the equal to anything thrown against them.

That's how it stayed till the half time whistle and we were full of confidence that Ankaragucu could deliver more. And they did with relish !

Ozgur bagged No2 shortly after the resumption of play and we were up dancing, singing and Hi-fiving !

However, did I detect frowns on faces when Baros pulled one back a few minutes later ? Why was he left unmarked at the far post to pick his spot ? Umit Bey to correct that fault this week on the Training Ground me thinks !!

Then, 2 minutes later, we were all up dancing and singing again when Sestak scored a great solo effort which equalled Metin's opener for coolness and clinical finishing.

20 minutes to go and Ufuk gets his marching orders for a trip on Sestek.

15 minutes to go and we are all fired up ......... Galatasaray down to 10 men, Ankaragucu still going forward, and then ......... that man Baros fires in an angled shot to beat Ozden.

Oh Shit ! Can we hold out I am asking ? Maniac Kanka assures me that we will score a 4th, and you know he doesn't make wild statements ??!!

He was right again. Super Sub Turgut slots in No4 in time added on to send us up and dancing again. Yesssssssssssssssss !!!

A fantastic team performance from Ankaragucu and a great night for us long suffering Ankaragucu Kankas. A quote from Battle Damaged Kanka at the final whistle ...... 'We fucked Galatasaray' !!! Not one of his best quotes, but I think he got his message over !!!

It is difficult to single anyone out for Man of the Match, but I'd give it to Metin, not just for that crucial opening goal, but for his running on and off the ball. He has really come on in leaps and bounds this season.

If I was Vittek and Meye, I would be contemplating some time sitting on the bench in the next few weeks or months !

Sorry to disappoint Ata over there in that strange land across The Pond, but I chickened out of running naked down Sakarya Caddesi at the end of the match. That would have been a bridge too far and would probably have been the end of my teaching career !!! However, I think we casused enough nuisances of ourselves with our dancing, singing and ..... oh yes ....swearing !!

So, looking ahead, I don't think Bursa will be looking forward with too much confidence for their visit to Ankaragucu next Sunday after seeing Ankaragucu's goal machine notch up 8 goals in their last 2 matches. Bring 'em on I say and let's give Nadeem something to cheer about on his 2nd visit to Buyuk Baskent.

All the best from Mr Optimistic, Eski Kanka Jim