Ankaragucu vs Eyupspor match preview !

Just before we look ahead to this weekends matches, some breaking news tonight as Bozuyukspor have announced that they are withdrawing from the league due to financial problems and will as of next season play in the amateur leagues. The club could no longer afford to play in Lig 2 and will re start in the amateur leagues as a new club. Any team who is due to play Bozuyuk will be awarded a 3-0 win.

Onto Sundays match and its a return to the 19 Mayis Stadium for the Ankaragucu support and another big crowd is expected. The visitors are Eyupspor who Ankaragucu beat 6-0 the last time the two sides met at the start of the season. Eyupspor have improved since then and have just added veteran Turkish Striker Ahmet Dursun to their squad. Indeed they are on a 6 match unbeaten run and have held Alanyaspor and Tepecik to draws along the way.

Ankaragucu returned from Istanbul last weekend with the 3 points in a professional 2-0 win at Gungorenspor. The fans will have a chance to see new signings Serhat Aykuz, Erhan Guven, Mehmet Erdem and Volkan Yilmaz to name a few.

As said last week, Fuat Aykuz has done a fantastic job in his short time as Ankaragucu manager, we have already discussed how he has improved the defence. It will be interesting to see how the likes of Hasan Ayaroglu and Emre Tasdemir progress under his leadership. Both youngsters have been tipped to have big futures with the likes of Galatasaray, Bursa and Trabzonspor all been linked in the past. Emre has looked impressive and is even keeping Mehmet Tasci out of the team. Hasan needs to find that consistency and confidence to start holding down a starting place in the team.

Looks like Fuat will go with the 4-2-3-1 formation again with Selim Teber and Serhat protecting the defence allowing the likes of Volkan, Mehmet Cakir and Mehmet Erdem to support Levent in attack. Im predicting a 3-1 win for Ankaragucu in what will be a tough match. Kick off time will be 1330 Turkish time so make sure you are at the stadium early. The game will be shown live on Baskent TV for anyone wanting to watch it.

In other news youth team striker Mert Pamukkaya has joined Diyarbakirspor on loan until the end of the season.

One in two out at Ankaragucu !

Ankaragucu today completed the signing of 18 year old forward Ali Sinan Gayla on a 4.5 year contract from Sekerspor. Gayla pictured above with President Yiginer said he is delighter to move to a big club like Ankaragucu and hopes to help them win the Championship.

In other transfer news, Orhan Evci and Omer Emir have both signed for Denizlispor on loan until the end of the season. Orhan was a first choice until Fuat Aykuz came in, but the new coach prefers to play with Aytac Oden at right back. Omer hasn't featured in the first team this season but is very highly rated and the experience will do him no harm.

Ankaragucu and Genclerbirligi fans have joined forces in a media campaign to keep the new Ankara stadium at the same location as the 19 Mayis Stadium. Fans are not happy that the location for the new stadium looks set to be on the outskirts of the city. It makes sense to keep the stadium in the city centre but this is Ankara, when have the fans concerns ever been listened to ?

Ankaragucu 2-0 Istanbul Gungorenspor !

Ankaragucu returned to action today after the winter break and kept up their winning run with a 2-0 win at Gungorenspor. Before the match took place Ankaragucu fans were involved in battles with the Istanbul Police to maintain the traditions of a trip to 2nd City. A new look Ankaragucu team today and it was Mehmet Erdem who caught the eye with a man of the match performance.

Team - Bayram Olgun, Aytac Oden, Serhat Aykuz, Erhan Guven, Emre Tasdemir, Selim Teber, Serhat Gulpinar, Mehmet Erdem, Mehmet Cakir, Volkan Yilmaz, Levent Kale

Subs - Gokhan Akkan, Hasan Ayaroglu, Kaan Kanak, Serkan Sirin, Aydin Toscali, Muhammed Gonulacar

A 1000 strong Ankaragucu support travelled to Istanbul to cheer on the team to victory. One thing Fuat Aykuz has done since coming in is strengthen the defence. For those who follow the blog they will know its something I've went on about for a long time, how bad the Ankaragucu defence is. You will never win anything unless you build strong foundations at the back. The team have now went 5 games in a row without conceding a goal as well as winning every match.

For the first time since the team left the Super Lig, actually you cant count the last season in the Super Lig, but for the first time we have an experienced side. Youngsters like Emre Tasdemir, Hasan Ayaroglu, Gokhan Akkan and Muhammed Gonulacar will benefit from having these experienced heads round about them.

It was new signing Mehmet Erdem who gave Ankaragucu the lead in the first half, signed from Polatli last week according to reports on Twitter had a fantastic debut and the Kankas will get to see him next week at home to Eyupspor.

Mehmet Cakir finished off the match with a 25 yard screamer too send the Ankaragucu crowd wild and make the trip to Istanbul worthwhile. Ankaragucu were given even more good news after the match as Altinordu threw away a 3-0 lead only to draw 3-3 with Tepecikspor at home. Alanyaspor drew 0-0 at Nazilli. That means Ankaragucu climb up to 2nd and are now level on points with leader Altinordu.

Its been a good week for Ankaragucu, firstly the Transfer ban was lifted, then Mehmet Yiginer was elected as President again for the club, and today we take the 3 points back home to the capital. Next up is a home match with Eyupsor. Full Preview on the blog during the week.

Take that Teamen

It was with mixed feeling as we watched Ramazan on the bench with the goalkeeping gloves handed to new signing Johan Dahlin. Dahlin had a good match even if he wasn't severely tested.

Genclerbirligi 3 - 1 Rize Tea Men (Thank you Mr. Steven Bassey)

A miserable rainy early Saturday afternoon was never going to get a huge turnout for two mid-table teams. Same amongst us Kankas with just Spine, Flying Dutchman, Aden, Beraat and his son, and me at the Beer Bus.

At least it wasn't cold.

We managed to get in and to our seats right on time and then we were treated to some absolute filth. What Gencler have been doing for last few weeks at their Antalya camp was not clear at all. Passes weren't connecting, balls were being given away for absolutely no reason and the referee was making weird decisions. Nothing too dangerous from Rize, although they did have one very good chance when a player got through, at an angle to goal he kicked as Dahlin rushed at him. The kick went miles wide.          

The masochists amongst us laughed as the referee went off with a calf injury but there was some real fear as he was replaced by Deniz Bitnal, a referee who has given dodgy penalty decisions against us in the past.

The first half was so exciting the refs injury was the only piece of play for the first half that Lig TV included in its short highlights package.  

Second half and it was very different as Gencler started to get things working. Gosso shot a ball through to Stancu who was on the left for some reason. He managed to get a great cross in to Oktay who headed it in. It was a good goal and we were deservedly ahead.

A few minutes later a Jimmy scored from outside the box when former Ankaragucu keeper Serkan let the ball, admittedly an extremely well hit ball, straight through.

We continued to play good attacking football and had a few chances denied. Then came the third when Jimmy sent a corner in straight onto the head of Ante who was playing as captain. Serkan had no chance of saving that one.

Then came the decision that the Gencler fans were waiting for... yep the referee gave a penalty to Rize. Admittedly, the decision could have gone either way. They scored but no-one cared.

And that was that. A good win.

Off to the pub after the match.

We were in the metro station where the Gencler fans were singing "Melih is going, Gosso is coming, the fans shall travel the metro for free".

The Gencler fans then started jumping over the ticket barriers.

Being good citizens, we queued up and bought tickets.

Ankaragucu vs Gungorenspor match preview !

Just before we look at this weekends match between Ankaragucu vs Gungorenspor, we can confirm that the club have announced the signings of highly rated Batman Petrolspor midfielder Muhammed Gonulacar and 1923 Aydinspor player Omer Yalcin. Both are pictured above with President Mehmet Yiginer.

Ankaragucu have returned from their training camp in Antalya with a new look squad and its difficult to predict how the team will line up. One thing is for sure, President Yiginer has backed the club in their bid to win the title and strengthening the squad is a huge boost in this title race.

The last time the two sides met was on the first game of the season where Gungorenspor won 1-0 at the 19 Mayis Stadium in Ankara. The match on paper should be a pretty straight forward victory for Ankaragucu with the home side sitting bottom of the table with only 9 points. As we know anything can happen if you underestimate your opponents so thats something Fuat Aykuz will need to take into account.

Ankaragucu are on a 4 match winning run and with the team being strengthened in the winter break the will look to keep the run going and keep up the chase of Altinordu and Alanyaspor. Bayram Olgun looks set to keep his place in goal. In defence Emre Tasdemir and Mehmet Tasci will fight it out for the left back position, and in the centre new signings Erhan Guven and Serhat Aykuz will be looking to go straight into the team. Mehmet Cakir will remain a key player in midfield whilst Levent Kale and Umut Nayir will be looking to continue their good form from the first half of the season.

Hasan Ayaroglu has had a couple of impressive games in the friendly matches in Antalya, there is no doubting his talent and if the club can get him to find consistency then they have a very impressive young player on their hands. Young Gokhan Akkan will also be looking to get himself back into the team.  For the first time in about 4 years Ankaragucu have a squad full of players who will be on their toes fighting for their place.

Im going to predict a 4-0 win for Ankaragucu, i have a good feeling about the second half of the season.

Ankaragucu unveil 2 new signings !

Ankaragucu today completed the signings of Serhat Aykuz from Balikesirspor and Erhan Guven from Kayseri Erciyespor. Both players are defenders who have a wealth of experience and will be a much needed boost to the Ankaragucu defence which has struggled at times this season.

Serhat Aykuz was with the team in Antalya and as expected completed his move to the club today. Erhan Guven is a bit of a coup for Ankaragucu having played for Besiktas, Sivasspor and Antalyaspor in the Super Lig.

Ankaragucu take on Istanbul Gungorenspor on Sunday and will be looking to take revenge for the last time the two teams met where Gungorenspor won 1-0. Preview to follow in the coming days......

Ankaragucu winter camp round up !

Ankaragucu have been enjoying their winter break in Antalya as they look ahead to the second half of the season. Only 2 points separate Ankaragucu in 3rd and Altinordu in 1st as both teams along with Alanyaspor in 2nd get ready for the fight to become champions.

The club have added Muhammad Gonulacar (Batman Petrolspor), Mehmet Erdem (Polatli), Volkan Yilmaz (Elazigspor), Serhat Aykuz (Balikesirspor) and Mehmet Sin (Fethiyespor). The deal to bring Atabey Cicek from Genclerbirligi on loan has fell through with Gencler changing their mind and it looks like he will now move to Boluspor.

Leaving the club is Teoman Erkan who has joined 1461 Trabzon on loan, Bilal Gundogdu free transfer, Mert Erdogan free transfer, Gokhan Erdogan Mersin,  and Ahmet Akyildiz free transfer. As John reported a couple of days ago, the club has also been handed another transfer ban due to unpaid wages to Ergin Keles and Muhammed Turkman, talks are ongoing as they look to lift the ban before the deadline at the end of the month.

Mehmet Yiginer has lost his bid to become boss of the Ankara taxi companies, but according to some Ankaragucu supporters this is good news as he will remain at the club. Ankaragucu have played 5 games in Antalya with the following results.

Ankaragucu 3-3 Geel (Belgium)

Ankaragucu 2-2 Darnice

Ankaragucu 0-1 Turgutluspor

Ankaragucu 1-2 Aktobe (Kazakhstan)

Ankaragucu 1-0 Pendikspor.

Next Sunday Ankaragucu travel to Istanbul (Turkeys 2nd city) as they face Gungorenspor as the league starts again. Match details and preview will be on the blog midweek.

Ankaragucu transfer news !

Its been a busy day at the club with players coming and players also leaving as Ankaragucu look to strengthen for the second half of the season. The club have announced the signings of 3 new players in the last couple of hours.

Volkan Yilmaz has signed from Elazigspor after failing to establish himself in their first team. A key player for Gaziantep BB last season, he made 2 appearances in the Super Lig this season scoring 1 goal. The 26 year old can play both in midfield and up front.

Adanaspor forward Umit Tutunci has also signed, he was a target for the club in the summer and Ankaragucu have finally landed their man. The 29 year old was once on the books of Genclerbirligi and has a good scoring record at the lower levels.

Balikesirspor midfielder Serhat Aykuz has joined the club who were short in the middle of the park. Aykuz is experienced at this level and is a welcome addition to the team.

The players above join other new signings Ataby Ciceky who is set to join on loan from Gencler unil the end of the season, Mehmet Ugurlu who signed from Polatli and former Bursa defender Mustafa Keceli. Ankaragucu have also held talks with Ali Tandogan from Mersin who is free to move due to unpaid wages.

Leaving the club is Teoman Erkan who has joined 1461 Trabzon on loan until the end of the season, while Bilal Gundogdu and Mert Erdogan have been given free transfers. Gokhan Erdogan has joined Boluspor on loan.

More news here first on the blog as soon as any more transfers happen.