Ankaragucu are in Izmir tomorrow night as they take on much improved Altay SK in what is a must win match. Although a poor start to the season with 1 win and 3 draws, Ankaragucu remain unbeaten in 12 games under Muammer Ozdemir if you include pre season. The coach has addressed the defensive issue the team had last season, but its the forward line and midfield that need much improvement if Ankaragucu are to challenge for the playoffs.
Both sides were in action midweek with Ankaragucu winning 2-0 at home against Golcukspor, while Altay won the Izmir derby by beating Karsiyaka on penalties. It will be a big test for Altay to see weather that match has taken a lot out of he legs of the players after over 120 minutes of play.
Altay are much improved from last season where Ankaragucu beat them 4-2 at home and 2-0 away. Ankaragucu on the other hand have lost some of their best players and are relying on a team full of youngsters this term. The good news for Ankaragucu is that Levent Kale is getting more minutes under his belt and is getting closer to match fitness. Hasan Ayaroglu is back in training and will be back in the next few weeks, and both Selim Teber and Serhat Gulpinar were rested midweek.
A draw wouldn't be a bad result in Izmir but Ankaragucu need to start winning games and send out a message to the rest of the teams in this League. The standard of teams in the league are very poor and all teams are capable of beating each other. Last season you had Alanyaspor and Altinordu who hardly lost a match. This season after only 4 games there are no teams that haven't dropped points.
Former Ankaragucu midfielder Semavi Ozgur will line up in the Altay team, the Bulgarian born Turk is one of the most experienced players in the Altay team and will be one of their key players. For Ankaragucu Mehmet Erdem Ugurlu is the creative spark in midfield who can create chances and also score goals. I would expect the coach to go 5 in midfield again with Levent dropping back onto the bench for this one.
Team i would go for is:
Gokhan, Aytac, Gurkan, Volkan, Mehmet, Harun, Selim, Serhat, Orhan, Mehmet, Umut
Both Orhan and Mehmet bring much needed pace to the team. Gokhan Erdogan has failed to impress which really leaves the coach without other options in the wide areas until Hasan is back.
Kick off is at 7pm Turkish time tomorrow.
Mmmmm....... yes, Nadeem. This is the first real Acid Test for Ankaragucu this season.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, Altay are much improved. They used to be a 'powder puff' team which perhaps the Coach might remember. In which case, if Ankaragucu can score first it might be the medicine that renders them to collapse. However, if they have changed so much then it's going to be a tough one to call.
If I'm a betting punter then I would defo avoid this match !!
Go on Ankaragucu ........ surprise us ...... and win it !!!