ANKARAGUCU - ON REFLECTION, A FAIR RESULT

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Of course, the words disappointed and frustrated were mentioned after the match yesterday, but I think in the cold light of day it was probably a fair result. However, with the match swinging from end to end in the 2nd half, it could have been so different.

ANKARAGUCU 1 Sivasspor 1

Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I met up in the Beer Bus Bar to enjoy some pre-match 'refreshments' and serious footie talk (see my comments in the previous post).

Damon, taking a leaf out of Phillie Kanka Jamie's book, ordered a Chicken Shish and proceeded to feed most of it to the white 'Ankara' cat which roams up and down Sakarya Caddesi. I'm sure Weegie Kankie Rebecca will be pleased to hear that we are still looking after the local strays in her absence ??!!

We met up with Red Sox Kanka Russ at the Stadium. Great to see him there, especially as he slipped a free ticket to Scottish Eski Kanka !!!

Gecikondu was in potest mode - their tribune was only about a quarter full, and quite interestingly their Gecikondu Banner was upside-down. They were silent for the early part of the match, well ....... until Ankaragucu scored a goal !!

Team -

Senecky
Ugur, Rajnoch, Aydin and Klukowski
Adem, Guven Sapara and Kagan
Sestak and Metin

2nd Half Subs - Dogan, Gabric and Meye

For the first 10 minutes of the match both teams were sizing each other up, and on the 10 minute mark I was thinking that Ankaragucu was gaining the upper hand in possession.

One minute later and Ankaragucu was one up. A free kick sent over by Sapara and Klukowski, at the near post, was first to it to send in an acute angled header into the corner of the far post which deceived everyone.

20 minutes in and Sivas were coming more into the match now and looking for the equaliser.

25 minutes in and it was almost two. A Guven 'special throw-in' was met by Rajnoch but the ball went just over.

Have to give a mention to Rajnoch for his central defensive display which earned him my 'Man of the Match' award. Nadeem may disagree with that ??!!

39 minutes in and it was developing into and end-to-end match. Sapara put Guven through with a great pass but he sent his shot straight to the keeper.

The ball moved to the other end and Sivas had a great chance but the shot went past the post.

42 minutes in and panic in the Ankaragucu penalty box with the ball bobbing around begging to be put away. Fortunately, it was cleared to safety.

Into the 2nd half and the pace didn't slacken. An Ankaragucu breakaway on 48 minutes saw Sestak fire in a great strike which was well saved by Ramovic.

Sivas was still looking dangerous on their forays into the Ankaragucu half, but Rajnoch was having a great match tidying everything up.

55 minutes in and Guven missed another chance when he shot tamely at Ramovic when it seemed easier to score.

One minute later and the inevitable happened. Another Sivas attack down the right wing the ball cut back and an angled strike from Erman which whizzed in, and Sivas was back in the match looking for the winner.

64 minutes in and Sivas was looking the more likely to find the winner with Ankaragucu running out of ideas.

70 minutes in and Dogan should have made it 2. Coming in from the left and eluding two tackles he shot without noticing that Sestak was free on the right. Great save from Ramovic again.

One minute later, Adem almost gifted a goal to Sivas by fiddling around just outside the Ankaragucu penalty when a clearance was called for. Fortunately for him the chance went begging.

78 minutes in and Ankaragucu seemed to sense a win was possible by upping the pace. Sestak was put through after some neat footie, but his great effort was just into the side netting with Damon and I up on our feet shouting ........ goooooal !!!

10 minutes to go and Sapara had a great chance when put through. However, instead of blasting it into the net, he tried to 'place it' in the top right hand corner. Not enough lift on the ball and Ramovic saved the day yet again.

5 minutes to go and it is apparent that Sivas had settled for a draw with some blantant time wasting tactics which surprisingly went unpunished by the referee.

Into the last minute and a great ball into the centre from Guven which found Sapara's head, but Ramovic comes to the rescue again.

Final whistle and cue ......... calls from Anti-X and Sokak Groups ........ Umit Istifa..... !!!

It seems to me that it is only a matter of time now beforer Umit Ozat either resigns or is given 'the push'. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the Club take the easy option and bring back trusted 'olde boy' and Ankaragucu hero, Hakan Kutlu !!!

We were back in The Beer Bus Bar and it goes without saying that Damon had his usual Double Hamburger - even Jamie would have had a problem finishing that much grub me thinks ??!!

Next up is the home match against Fener next Sunday KO 7pm. I guess we should be going to the Stadium a little earlier than normal for this one, so meet in The Beer Bus Bar from 4.30pm.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim