ANKARAGUCU RIDE THEIR LUCK BUT SECURE THE 3 POINTS !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

ANKARAGUCU    1            Kartalspor   0

It was a Friday afternoon kick-off with most people at work, but Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I met up at the Stadium since all the schools were off !   Not a bad turnout considering the circumstances with Gecikondu and Sol Kapali almost full and Maraton half full.    There were TWO punters in the away end and I was impressed when the Kartal players went over to salute them!

Team – Ferhat, Goksu, Sedat, Gurkhan, Mehmet T, Hasan, Sertan, Salih, Omer, Timur and Mehmet Y

Substitutes used – Emrah, Muhammed and Enes

Not much to say about the 1st half which had Damon and I yawning often !

Ankaragucu had their chances but spurned them all.   In the 4th minute Mehmet Y was put through on goal, but couldn’t control the ball and it went out before he could regain control.

Mehmet Y was brought down just outside the box on the right but the free kick was cleared.

Then Omer, who was looking dangerous, had 3 chances but was unlucky with all 3.   On the 20th minute mark he took a cut-back from the right but his shot in the box was well saved.   2 minutes later and from a short corner on the left, his swerving shot to the top right of the goal was only inches past. Then just before the half time whistle from another cut-back from Mehmet Y, his shot hit the bar and went over and out.

So, a scrappy 1st half with only a few chances for Ankaragucu.   Kartal was winning most of the balls in midfield but not threatening with Ferhat not having to make a save during 45 minutes play.   Also, Ankaragucu’s passing was woeful and that part of their game needs addressing on the Training Pitch !

Into the 2nd half and Omer almost made the break through 10 minutes in when he received the ball from a left wing cross and attempted to chip it over the goalkeeper but it was just inches over the bar.

Then on the 58th minute came the inspired substitutions when Mehmet Y and Omer went off to be replaced by Emrah and Muhammed.     Emrah’s impact was immediate when he scurried down the left wing and with his first touch of the ball, chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to the unmarked Hasan at the back post who headed in for a great goal !

Kartal was not throwing the towel in and were still intent on attacking.   However, the Ankaragucu defence was standing firm.

Observations with 15 minutes to go – Kartal’s No53 has had Timur in his pocket for most of the match.    Also, Goksu has had another useful match.

10 minutes to go and from a great break down the left by Emrah, he crossed perfectly to Hasan who’s diving header went just past the post.

One minute later we saw some trickery from Hasan in the box when he rode 3 tackles before his shot was saved.

5 minutes to go and another cross from the left by Emrah to the inrushing Timur but he couldn’t get a touch to prod the ball in.

2 minutes later Hasan (my Man of the Match) was substituted to well deserved applause and Enes replaced him.

A tense last few minutes with Kartal looking to sneak an equaliser, but new Coach Kemal Bey has the defence playing with resolve and it’s not leaking like last season !!

The final whistle and sighs of relief all round.   Then off to The Chopin Bar to celebrate with Maniac Kanka Harun.

Next up is the rearranged away match in Buca which is scheduled for Tuesday 3 November (to be confirmed).   Another 3 points will do nicely !

A plea ……….. would Mehmet Y and Timur open their account next week pleeeeez !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim