Ankaragucu kicked off their pre season schedule with a hard fought 2-2 draw at Erzerumspor. Their were plenty of positives to take from the match but also areas of concern in which İsmail Kartal and his coaching team will need to address before the season kicks off against champions Galatasaray.
Team - Korcan, Erdem, Alihan, Lukasz, Mehmet, Arif, Faty, Putsila, Enes, Nduka, Ilhan
Subs - Hopf, Sedat, Yalcin, Mokhtar, Alper, El Kabir, Mahmut
New signing Ricardo Faty impressed right from the very start of the game. The Senegalese International signed from Bursaspor is a big physical, imposing player who won the ball all over the pitch and will be key to protecting the Ankaragucu defence.
Erzerumspor started the better of the two sides and had the ball in the back of the net after 8 minutes but was ruled out for offside.
The major concern for Ankaragucu in this game was the performance from the defence. Two many times they were caught out in behind and lacked someone with a bit of pace. The defence gifted Erzerum the lead on the 30th minute when they gave a way a penalty. Özer Hurmaci stepped up from the spot and made it 1-0.
It took Ankaragucu only 5 minutes to find the equaliser, when a great cross into the box was met by the head of Alihan who put the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Five minutes later and Ankaragucu should have taken the lead. Another good cross into the box this time for Ricardo Faty who headed inches wide. Mehmet Sak had a shot from distance saved easily by Hakan a minute later.
Just when it looked like the two sides would be going in level at the break, Erzerumspor took the lead. Osman Sahin went past his man before shooting past Korcan from outside the box to make it 2-1.
Half Time - Erzerumspor 2-1 Ankaragucu
Into the 2nd half and Youness Mokhtar came on half way through, the Moroccan winger looked the part and is another Who I’ll be a big player for the club.
The first chance came for Erzerumspor who hit the bar on the 59th minute, Ankaragucu went straight up the other end and Enes should have scored with only Hakan to beat but the keeper made a good save.
A late goal for Ankaragucu spoiled the home fans hopes with only two minutes to go. El Kabir was brought down on the edge of the box. Up stepped Erdem who fired into the top corner but Hakan will be disappointed he never done better.
So final scored 2-2 which İsmail Kartal will be happy with. The squad still needs more quality at the back, middle of the park and another striker before the season starts.
Thanks for the report Nady.
ReplyDeletePleased to hear that Faty and Youness impressed in their first match for the Club. Also, let's hope that Alihan keeps making a habit of heading in from set-pieces like he did last season !
Agreed that we still need strengthening at the back and midfield. Also, another striker is a MUST.
I think we have to be patient until the players get a few more 'friendlies' under their belt. Let's hope they have arranged a few more matches before we meet the hated Galata....spit...saray !!!
Nady thanks for the detailed report.
ReplyDeleteI havent watched the match but all the comments which I have read from social media are pessimistic. And nearly all of them states that the team is playing in similar tactic with previous season which is KEEP THE WHOLE TEAM at DEFENCE and if you find a chance to score Thank to GOD. Also we have to keep in mind that many of the new transfers did not take place last night and some of them are only for a few minutes. Hope that we wont see nightmares during the season.Volkan