ANKARAGUCU IN DESPERATE NEED OF A STRIKE FORCE !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

A dire struggle yesterday to equalise and then hold on for a point !   It was grim watching the efforts of Ankaragucu trying to score, especially for us kankas used to success in the good olde days of Ankaragucu in the Super League !    New Coach, Kemal Kilic, has inherited a problem which will be difficult to solve.

ANKARAGUCU    1      Gumushanespor     1

Team – Ferhat, Goksu, Sedat, Gurkan, Mehmet T, Salih, Harun, Sertan, Hasan A, Omer and Mehmet Y

The Kankas met up in the Stadium – Maniac Kanka Harun, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Posh Kanka Ahmet, Apple Kanka Erman and Dancing Kanka Emre.   We were also joined by Murat Kaya and his friend together with ex-Class 1 Super League Referee, Can Papila. (He can be seen sitting in the front with the white shirt and the shades).

A reasonable crowd was there with Gecikondu, Maraton and Sol Kapali almost full.   There were about 100 in the away end – no doubt Black Sea boys resident in Ankara.

Ankaragucu came out of the stalls like a thoroughbred and attacked full-on for the first 10 minutes before Gumushane could catch their breath.

In the 3^rd minute, Omer was gifted with a chance from a rebound in the box and shot straight at the goalkeeper.   One minute later, there was a great goalbound shot from Harun which was well saved and from the rebound another shot from Mehmet Y which was also saved.

9 minutes in and a cross came in from the left straight to Omer, but his poor header was saved.

Having weathered the storm, Gumushane settled down and Ferhat made a great save on the 10^th minute mark.   However, he could little to stop the opening goal one minute later when Gumushane put together a great passing move from right to left and then the angled shot came in to the top right with Ferhat having no chance.

Heads didn’t go down and Ankaragucu should have equalised on the 21^st minute mark when a fast move was made down the left and a cross sent into Omer’s path, but he side footed it past the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

After half an hour Ankaragucu received a great chance to put the sword in when a Gumushane defender was sent off for using his arm dangerously to stop a fast attacker down the right wing.

Ankaragucu scented blood and poured forward in attack.   On the 35^th minute the equaliser should have arrived when Mehmet Y was presented with a pass near the penalty spot.    However, he was too slow to react and his shot was blocked.

2 minutes later Omer shot from well outside the box but well over the bar.   In hindsight, he would have been better advised to have just passed to his left where Sertan was lurking unmarked and screaming for the ball !

2 minutes later Mehmet Y was too slow again to seize an opportunity and his shot was blocked.

4 minutes to go to half time and the equaliser arrived after constant Ankaragucu pressure.   Mehmet T was fed the ball just inside the box on the left and he fired in a screamer to the bottom left.    Note .......... perhaps we should keep Mehmet Y  and Omer on the bench next week and give Mehmet T and A. N. Other a chance up front !!!

Approaching the half time whistle and Hasan had an open goal on the left but managed to poke the ball over the bar.   Then Harun tried his luck from ouside the box but the ball sailed out well over the bar.

It was bloody frustrating having so much possession against the 10 men and only one goal to show for it.    However, we were still upbeat that there would be goals to come in the 2^nd half !!!

Into the 2^nd half then and Mehmet Y had another chance to finally score a goal for Ankaragucu but he allowed his header to hit the top of his head and it was well out.

Then came the turning point of the match when Ankaragucu was also reduced to 10 men.   Gurkan hauled down an attacker who had broken free just outside the box and the numerical advantage was lost ............. and so was Ankaragucu’s efforts to put that round thingie between the sticks !!!    The free kick was into the wall, but 2 minutes later Ferhat made a great save and the rebound was hacked over.

2 minutes later Mehmet Y received the ball in the box with his back against the goal and he proceeds to fall to ground.   This I have observed is one of his hallmark tactics, but I’m at a loss to understand why he always seems to fall down and always allow his marker to get the better of him !!!

Timur and Emrah were introduced to the fray and still Mehmet Y was allowed to stay on the pitch.   The Coach obviously was watching a different match to me !!!

The match was petering out in the closing 10 minutes and it seemed that both teams had settled for a draw.    However, Gumushane almost snatched a winner towards the final whistle but only a great save by Ferhat prevented a catastrophe.    Then right at the death there was panic stations in the Ankaragucu defence when the ball rolled agonisingly past with Ferhat beaten.

This will NOT do Ankaragucu.    Fitness levels need to be worked on for some of the players.   However, a word of praise for Goksu and Sertan who linked well together for the most part and played in some great balls for the ‘strikers’ to attack.    Goksu in particular caused all sorts of problems down the right and we can expect more from him in the future.

Back to The Red Lion Club to see the Scotland v Australia funny shaped ball match and ooooooo........ so unlucky for Scotland to have a Frog Referee who gave a wrong call at the end of the match to allow the Aussies to win by one point.   However, it was a more exciting match than the one I’ve just reported on !!!!

Note for Oz Kanka ............. Please smile and look impressed when standing next to a Scottish Flag !!!

Ankaragucu will be away in Sivas next weekend.    Details here later.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim