ANKARAGUCU – ENJOYING AN ‘AWAY DAY’ IN ANKARA IN THE SUMMER SUNSHINE !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The kankas travelled to their first ‘away match’ of the season – all the way to the compact little stadium in Kecioren.   It has a capacity of 5,000 and it was almost a full house yesterday with about 90% of the supporters from the Ankaragucu tribunes.   The only downside was the Astroturf which affected the ball control of the Ankaragucu players who were obviously unaccustomed to playing on this artificial surface.

Team - Ferhat, Orhan, Adem, Gurkan, Mehmet, Harun, Salih, Omer, Sertan, Emrah, Mehmet Yildiz

Subs - Turgut, Timur, Enes, Hasan, Murat, Sedat, Muhammed

Keciorengucu    0                  ANKARAGUCU    1

The kankas met-up in Kizilay and made the ‘arduous’ journey to Kecioren in time for the KO.   Maniac Kanka Harun, Cider Kanka John, Scouse Kanka Marcus, Ballet Dancing Kanka Emre, plus friends of Harun’s, Osman and Ersel.    We also had a guest from the UK, the famous Middle East journalist, Patrick Keddie, who is writing a book on the subject of football in the Middle East and is currently focusing on Turkish football.

The match got underway, but it took until the 15^th minute before any of the goalkeepers were threatened.   An Ankaragucu corner on the right was sent in to the back post but the headed attempt was sent just past the post.

One minute later and it was time to sing ..... Olay Olay Bursaspor Bursaspor !!!

Kecioren almost went ahead in the 20^th minute when an attacker was put clean through, and with only Ferhat in goal to beat, he stabbed the ball too far in front of him and gave Ferhat the opportunity to bravely dive at his feet to save.   The referee gave a free kick for dangerous play after Ferhat was treated for an injury.

2 minutes later we were all up on our feet when the referee awarded Ankaragucu a penalty for handball.   Mehmet took the responsibility and delivered a poor shot to the left which the goalkeeper saved easily.

This costly miss kick-started Kecioren’s endeavors and they took control of the match and should have put the match beyond Ankaragucu.

They had 4 clear cut chances before the half time whistle, but Ankaragucu had Ferhat and his defenders to thank for keeping them at bay.

The Ankaragucu players at this stage were clearly rattled and were losing most of the 50/50 balls as Kecioren kept the pressure on, so the half time whistle was welcomed by us all, and obviously by the Ankaragucu players.

So, my thoughts at half time were ................   the players are probably receiving a roasting from the Coach and no doubt rueing the penalty miss as they drink their half time Caykur Rize cay !!!!

Ankaragucu came out for the 2^nd half and were looking more purposeful as they probed for the break through.   However, they were guilty of dilly-dallying in the final quarter in the same way as Karagumruk were last week !

Kecioren were tackling like tigers and also living dangerously as they conceded 4 free kicks just outside the penalty box as Ankaragucu pressed forward.

In the 55^th minute a goalboud free kick was well save by Ferhat.

In the 62^nd and 70^th minute the free kicks were sent just over the bar.

In the 75^th minute the free kick was sent in for the in-rushing Timur, but he missed the ball when all he needed to have done is touch it in.

Ankaragucu was in control of the match now and Kecioren had their backs against the wall.   Then with only 3 minutes of the match remaining, the break through came.

Some neat passing approaching the penalty box and the ball was sent to the unmarked Omer on the left.   He controlled the ball and fired-in an angled shot to the right corner with the goalkeeper helpless.

Lie lie lie lie lie lie ...... Aaaankaaaarrrrraaaaagoooojoo ....... and high fives !!

Kecioren saw red a minute later as one of their players received his marching orders.   Perhaps for some unwelcome utterances to the referee ?!

Kecioren pressed forward in time added on, but the dfence held firm to maintain their 10^th consecutive clean sheet.

Celebrations were marred a little at the final whistle when some of the Kecioren players started a fight with the Ankaragucu players.   However, it was brought under control by the ‘hundreds’ of officials from both Clubs without Police interferance !

Back to The Red Lion Club for celebration drinkies with our Genclerbirligi Kankas and an opportunity for Patrick to quiz the kankas on their thoughts of footie in Turkey.   Patrick’s book will reveal all when it is released next year !

Next up is the Turkish Cup match on Tuesday afternoon KO 3pm in the 19 Mayis Stadium, and a home league match against Tepecik next Sunday.

Details here and by email later.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim