Ankaragucu warmed up for the season opener next Friday night with a brilliant 2-0 win at Bursaspor. Goals from Younes Mokhtar and Ilhan Parlak gave Ankaragucu the win but it will be the overall performance that will have please İsmail Kartal most with some breathtaking football on display.
Team - Hopf, Erdem, Yalcin, Kone, Tiago, Arif, Faty, Bifouma, Mokhtar, Ilhan, El Kabir
Subs - Altay, Korcan, Sedat, Kenan, Lukasz. Mehmet, Mahmut, Enes, Kaan, Nduka
It was Bursaspor who started the game better as Ankaragucu struggled to keep hold of the Ball for the first 5 minutes as they looked rusty. Only playing 2 pre season games hasn’t been the ideal preparation but it doesn’t seem to have done Ankaragucu any harm.
The first goal came after 12 minutes and what a goal it was. Ricardo Faty won the ball in the middle of the park and released El Kabir who beat his man before playing an inch perfect ball for Younes Mokhtar who calmly slotted the ball past Harun to make it 0-1.
Eight minutes later Ankaragucu doubled their lead. This time assist king Erdem put a great ball into the box for Ilhan who headed past Harun to make it 0-2.
Ankaragucu were playing some great football and nearly made it 3 after brilliant play from Bifouma and Younes but Bursa managed to clear. Those two caused problems all night and had another chance 10 minutes later this time involving Ilhan who set up El Kabir but his chip went wide.
Bursaspor only had one chance in the half and it was a Yusuf Erdogan free kick that went well over the bar.
Half Time
It was more of the same in the second half and Bifouma and Mokhtar again causing problems. On the 55th minute Bifouma set up Mokhtar but his shot went wide of the post. Five minutes later some brilliant skill from Bifouma and Mokhtar almost resulted in a goal but Bursa cleared for a corner. From the resulting corner Ilhan Parlak saw his effort saved by Harun.
On the 70th minute substitute Kenan Özer saw his shot from distance saved by Harun. Seven minutes later Aytac saw his free kick saved by Hopf in the Ankaragucu goal.
Thievy Bifouma was causing problems with his pace and went past his man before his shot was well saved by Harun.
Full Time 0-2 and a brilliant performance from Ankaragucu. Bakary Kone and Yalcin Ayhan looked solid in defence. Ricardo Faty was outstanding in the middle of the park and won everything, while the front 4 of Ilhan, Bifouma. El Kabir and Mokhtar were a joy to watch.
Next up is the season opener next Friday at Yenikent as Ankaragucu host the champions Galatasaray. Kick off is 2145 and the match previews will be back midweek.
Thanks for an excellent and upbeat report Nadeem.
ReplyDeleteOptimism is back on the menu me thinks !!!