Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
Ankaragucu churned out their first league win in 11 attempts yesterday to belatedly kick-start their season.
Ankaragucu 2 Karabuk 1
Despite their league position, Karabuk are no mugs, so it was a vital win in what was effectively a 'Six Pointer'.
Due to the early KO, we all met up inside The Stadium. Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Simon (no kanka name yet) and Husso Kanka. All things considered, it was an amazing turnout by Gecikondu and Maraton with both tribunes full and Gecikondu in fine voice pre-match and during the match. The away end was well represented with about 500 Karabukers and they even had the audacity to try and outsing Gecikondu !
On the Fashion Front, Damon was resplendent in his new black Italian boots which unfortunately didn't have any silver buckles. Oh well, at least he contrasted the black boots with his luvvlie white Ankaragucu scarf which drew lots of admiring glances from the supporters around us !!!
Back to footie and the team -
Ozden
Guven, Ediz, Aydin and Ozgur
Weeksie, Hurriyet, Umut and Murat
Tonia and Atilla
Substitutes used - Turgut, Ishak and Muhammed
Into the match then with both teams feeling each other out and then with only 7 minutes on the clock, the break through. An excellent solo effort from Atilla who received a through ball. He held off 2 defenders with his pace and tucked his shot low and hard into the corner for the opening goal.
30 minutes in and it was end to end stuff, although it's fair to say that Karabuk was enjoying most of the possession. Some panic defending from Ankaragucu, but Ozden dealt capably with everything that came his way.
At the other end, Atilla was The Lone Ranger with Tonia and Murat doing their best to support him, with the ocassional forages up front from Ozgur who is really developing into an excellent attacking full back. Tomic in the Karabuk goal also had an easy time and dealt with all the high balls being pumped in with Atilla being crowded out by the tall Karabuk defenders.
Into the 2nd half and Ankaragucu pressed forward from the whistle looking to kill the game off. Only 10 minutes in and we were all up cheering when Tonia scored a great headed 'goal'. Unfortunately, the Linesman had his flag up for offside ..... arrrrrgh !
Still Ankaragucu continued to attack and one minute later Atilla blasted over from about 3 yards out when a tap-in was all that was required.
Halfway through the 2nd half and Karabuk was coming back into the match more, but I have to praise the Ankaragucu defence for their performance yesterday. Ediz in particular was commanding in central defence, and I should also mention the role of Captain Hurriyet who played like a terrier and was a dynamo in midfield.
Then disaster struck on the 70th minute mark. The Effin Referee, Mr Muftuoglu, who had a shocker of a match, awarded a penalty to Karabuk for what we think was a handball by Guven. We didn't see it, but perhaps Nadeem can confirm one way or another. 'Olde boy' Ilhan stepped up and despatched a perfect spot-kick.
Mmmmmm ..... just as I was thinking another draw was on the cards, Tonia produced a piece of sheer magic to score from the tightest of angles to send us wild again.
The last 5 minutes of the match was sheer purgatory with Karabuk on all out attack searching for the equaliser, but the Ankaragucu defence stood their ground and the match ended in the Karabuk half with Ankaragucu attacking !
So, will this be the turning point in Ankaragucu's season when we look back and say ..... 'we avoided relegation after the Karabuk match' ? Best not to speculate yet, but to see how the team reacts next Sunday away in Eskisehir. Another win would really have the pulses racing !
Back we went to the Chopin to celebrate where we were joined by Maniac Kanka Harun and Cider Kanka John. Also have to mention a great quote from Simon during the 'Efes Haze' ...... he said ...... 'I have an intuitive warmth for Ankaragucu'. Nice one Simon !
Watching next Sunday's match in The Chopin and it will probably be an afternoon KO. I'll put the KO time up here in the comments section when known.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Clear handball on the part of Güven. The penalty was deserved.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REyoLIoaWUQ
Actually, the boots are American not Italian, Jim. Sorry to disappoint.
Well, I still think you looked absolutely adorable in them, even if they were Yankee Doodle Dandy !! ..... mmmwha xx
ReplyDeleteGood report Jim, only one wrong bit, Tonia scored with a half volley, not his head lol.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Damon, was a defo hand ball and penalty, and the referee done us a favour by not awarding another penalty late on when Ediz brought Bilal Kisa down in the box. About time to that we had luck on our side.
I thought Hurriyet was outstanding and my man of the match. Not the best we have played this season, but the main thing is the three points and we take another three of Ekisehir next week.
Some transfer news in today, according to reports Bursaspor will loan, Federico Insua, Giani Kirita and Gustav Svensson to us until the end of the season. This is to help them get players of the wage bill and due to us giving them Stanislav Sestak and Adem Kocak.
Thanks for the 'heads-up' on the Tonia 'goal' Nadeem. In my defence, we were at the other end of the Stadium and didn't have a clear view.
ReplyDeleteThe other 'talking point' about the '2nd Penalty' is that we thought the referee chickened out and was more concerned with his safety rather than applying the Laws of the Game !!!
Interesting to hear that Kirita is returning to Ankaragucu. He will certainly add steel and cunning to the midfield and will be a great asset alongside Hurriyet.
All the best from Eski
I think your spot on Jim , the referee did bottle it as he knew he would have 10,000 mad fans on his case.
ReplyDeleteJanuary will be an interesting month with the new players who come in, if they come in that is
Looks like the Jan Rajnoch saga is going to continue. The club are saying they let him go home to get treatment from the Czech national team Doctor on an injury, but reports from Czech Republic say he will not return to Ankara.
ReplyDeleteAnd more good news, Jarioslaw Cerny is injured again. What a waste of wages he is, that is if we pay him wages.
Three crucial points.Hopefully this is the start of a resurgence.Eskisehirspor look like being their solid selves this season so whilst a win would be nice, a draw would be acceptable in the present situation.Wouldnt it?
ReplyDeleteDublin Neil.
As promised, here are the KO times for this weekend -
ReplyDeleteFriday - 8pm - Gencler v Fenerbahce
Sunday - 1pm - Eskisehir v Ankaragucu
Yes Neil, I suppose, putting hand on heart, that a draw would be a reasonable result. However, I'm sure the team will be all fired up after last weekend and going all out for a win.
As I said in the post, we will watch the Ankaragucu match in The Chopin. No doubt drinking coffee at this ridiculous KO time !!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim