There's a real buzz about the club at the moment for the first time in a long long time, and there are no better example of that then Wednesday night. A cold Winter night, after most people had just finished their work, an incredible 16,000 Ankaragucu fans turned up to cheer the team onto a memorable 6-2 win over 1461 Trabzon. The result puts Ankaragucu top of the league on goal difference over Gumushanespor.
Ankaragucu have taken plaudits all week from the Turkish media with many pointing out that the leaders of the Super Lig Istanbul Basaksehir play in front of empty stadiums every other week, while a club in Turkeys 3rd tier can attract crowds like this. Well done to everyone associated with the club and let's hope we can keep the good times going.
A tough trip to Menemen tomorrow for Ankaragucu, but with the spirits high the team will be looking for another win to make it 7 in a row. Menemen who were promoted last season are sitting in 4th place and have some familiar names in their squad.
Former Ankaragucu goalkeeper Bayram Olgun is the teams first choice after a move from Manisaspor in the Summer. Former Super Lig players Erhan Kilic, Gokhan Unal, Ibrahim Dagasan and Ahmet Ari all ply their trade with the Muncipal side.
They lost 1-0 at Tuzlaspor midweek and will be looking to bounce back from that result. The Menemen Sehir stad only holds 2,500 with Ankaragucu getting less than 100 tickets for the match.
Ismet Tasdemir deserves a lot of credit as Ankaragucu manager. The fans have been used to poor attacking play, no goals and nothing exciting over the last couple of years. The manager has addressed the attacking issues and is playing an exciting brand of football. We now have Mustafa Ozturk, Ahmet Yazar, Emre Sahin, Enes Kubat, Erhan Senturk, Omer Bozan, Murat Yilmaz and Muharrem Cengiz all fighting for those 3 attacking places.
It's going to be a difficult decision for Tasdemir picking his first 11 tomorrow with everyone impressing including the substitutes on Wednesday night. Enes Kubat marked his return with a goal and assist and could take his place back in the starting line up.
Hursit Tasci, Cenk Kaplan, Serkan Balci and Altay Bayindir are all still out with injury and will miss tomorrow's match.
Gumushanespor are at home tomorrow as they take on Kastamonuspor in what will be a tough game but one most expect the home side to win. Ankaragucu need to return with the 3 points as Gumush show no signs of dropping points themselves.
We will have all the live updates as usual on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Tune in to Ankaragucu vs Menemen just before kick off. Game kicks off 10:30 UK time and 13:30 Turkish time.
Well said Nadeem.
ReplyDeleteThese are interesting and exciting days for Ankaragucu supporters. It looks like Ankaragucu and Gumushane are pulling away from the pack and it's turning out to be a two horse race at the moment.
So, like I've said for the past few weeks now ......... who is going to crack first ??!!
Hold your nerve Ankaragucu !!!
btw, I've been to the Izmir Ataturk Stadium twice to see matches. Turkey v Wales and Ankaragucu v Sakaryaspor.
ReplyDeleteIf Menemen had been clever, they could have staged tomorrow's match there and expect to see a large travelling Ankaragucu support to put some money through the turnstiles, or ........ would the Police not be happy with that ???!!!