A four goal thriller at the Yenikent Stadium gave both sets of fans value for money and sent the Ankaragücü fans in particular home happy as they have now taken 4 points from their first 3 games. Thibault Moulin made his debut as he replaced the suspended Thievy Bifouma and delivered an impressive performance in the middle of the park.
Team - Hopf, Erdem, Yalcin, Kone, Pinto, Arif, Faty, Moulin, Ilhan, Mokhtar, El Kabir
Subs - Korcan, Sedat, Mehmet, Alihan, Kenan, Mahmut, Alessio, Dja Djédje, Kehinde, Heurtaux
Ankaragücü started the match brightly and had a chance in the first minute, Thibault Moulin played the ball through for El Kabir who saw his shot deflected wide for a corner. Both El Kabir and Mokhtar were linking well but after the first 10 minutes it was Trabzonspor who took control of the game.
On the 18th minute Yusuf Yazici saw his shot at the front post saved by Hopf to keep the score level. Ten minute later Trabzonspor scored the opening goal. A cross into the box was flicked on for Filip Novák who rose above Kone to head the ball into the top corner giving Hopf no chance.
Ankaragücü were struggling to keep the ball but credit to both sides who tried to play football on an awful pitch.
Trabzonspor looked comfortable but Ankaragücü got the equaliser just before half time. A brilliant cut back from Erdem down the right for Faty who was just inside the box and the big Senegalese midfielder beautifully placed the ball past Onur to make it 1-1.
Ankaragücü fortunate to go in level but they showed great character and work rate to get back on level terms.
Half Time
Kenan Özer came on at half time for Arif and made and instant impact. He crossed the ball into the back post for Mokhtar who cut inside and saw his shot saved by Onur, Ilhan picked up the rebound but his deflected shot was saved from Onur again.
Ten minutes later Yusuf Yazici saw his free kick from 25 yards brilliantly saved by Hopf as the ball was heading towards the top corner.
Both Kenan Özer and Onazi had long range efforts go well wide as they looked to put their sides ahead. Ankaragücü went close again as El Kabir set up Mokhtar at the back post but the Moroccan saw his shot go inches wide.
Erdem Ozgenc had a free kick from 25 yards go straight into the hands of Onur just before Trabzon took the lead. Brilliant play from Yusuf and Olcay to set up Rodallega who volleyed past Hopf to make it 1-2 Trabzonspor.
Trabzonspor almost killed off the game on the 82nd minute but for Hopf who made a good save to keep Ankaragücü in the game.
When it looked like Trabzonspor were heading home with the 3 points, Ankaragücü grabbed a last minute equaliser. Erdem crossed the ball into the box and Kehinde headed the ball towards the bottom corner but Onur made a brilliant save, Mokhtar was on hand though to put the ball into the back of the net and send the Ankaragücü fans wild.
A great result for Ankaragücü and an entertaining match. The team is only going to get better as the weeks go by and key players are match fit. Credit must go to the management team and İsmail Kartal for the new signings who at this stage are all looking like great additions.
Next up is and away match to Kasimpasa next Sunday in what will be another tonight match.
Nady thanks for the report. Great performance from El Kabir, Mokhtar, Kone & Hopf . All the team did their best and as you mentioned when the new additions become ready we probably will watch a different AG which I have never watched before. Volkan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the assist Kehinde. With all due respect to a useful Trabzon team, a defeat would have been a bitter pill for Ankaragucu, and I think a share of the spoils was fair.
ReplyDeleteI watched the match in a pub in Bostanli, Izmir and it was weird oooing and ahing all by myself. Anyway, at least the waiters had a good laugh at my expense. Also, the other people in the pub got a fright at the end when the equaliser went in a I jumped ski high in celebration !!!
Yes, Nadeem, you are right about Sunday's match. It will be a tight affair with Kasimpasa undefeated so far. Perhaps Ankaragucu will change that statistic ??!!
1715 KO I think. Bring it on yessssssssss !!!