ANKARAGUCU SILENCE THE DOUBTERS !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The doubters were mostly Fenerbahce supporters who still believe that they have a God-given right to win every match, especially at Kadikoy !   Also, hands-up, I was guilty of doubting Ankaragucu’s ability to replicate the form they showed against Malatya, and I had settled for a draw pre-match !   That’s a lesson learned, ie, take optimism pills the day prior to a match !!

With El-Kabir and Bifouma back for this match, the team looked full of attacking options and that’s what we got from this Ankaragucu team who now have the bit between their teeth !   Ismail Bey has instilled a winning mentality into the team and he is now firmly in control of the players and a fans hero figure.

Fenerbahce     1         ANKARAGUCU    3

A photo speaks volumes without words being necessary.    Just a number .......THREE !!!

Team – Korcan, Erdem, Alihan, Yalcin, Pinto, Faty, Djedje, Kenan, El-Kabir, Bifouma and Kubilay.

Substitutes used – Kone, Sedat and Ilhan

Battle Damaged Kanka and I met-up at The Anasson Bar and it was a pleasant surprise to see that us Ankaragucu fans outnumbered the so-called Fener supporters (and I use that term loosely !!).  

Fener started the match brightly enough and it took some saving tackles from Yalcin and Alihan to snuff out the early danger.

It took Ankaragucu 10 minutes to settle into the match and El-Kabir almost opened the scoring when a cut-back from the left was just sent behind him.   He also had a few other chance as Ankaragucu pressed for the opener.   One shot over, one straight at Harun in goal and a header also saved.

However, the break through finally came after 35 minutes play.   A corner on the right was taken by Erdem to the far post.   Kubilay headed down to the near post where Faty was lurking unmarked and he side footed it in with Harun still at the far post.

The whole complexion of the match changed then with Ankaragucu looking for No2 and continuing to attack.    Then, just before the half time whistle with another Ankaragucu corner, there was a clash of heads when Alihan and Yalcin went for the same ball.   Both had to be substituted and replaced by Kone and Sedat.

The 2^nd half got underway with both teams attacking end-to-end.

Both Korcan and Harun made great saves when threatened, but the persistence of Ankaragucu finally paid off in the 70^th minute.   Djedje was put through in the box, but as he was about to shoot he was brought down by Sumani who received a Red Card for his efforts.   The referee’s decision was questioned by a group of Fener players, but after consulting the TV Monitor the penalty stood.

Erdem took responsibility and sent his shot to the bottom left.   Harun guessed the direction correctly but the shot was too powerful for him to hold.

5 minutes later and goal No3 arrived.   An Ankaragucu break on the left by El-Kabir who lobbed the ball over Harun, who was too far off his line, and in.

At this point in the match the Fener crowd turned on their players and whistled jeers as Ankaragucu took total control of the match and were spraying the ball around with Fener looking dead and buried.   It was a beautiful sight to see Ankaragucu taking the piss out of Fener !!!

El-Kabir was then rewarded with a rest as Ilhan came on for the last 10 minutes.

Into the final minutes and Fener received a consolation goal when Korcan made his only mistake of the match and spilled a shot which was forced in from the rebound.

An outstanding performance from Ankaragucu and if this attitude of never-say-die and playing attacking football continues, we can look forward to more of these positive reports.

The win moves Ankaragucu up into 5^th position in the league and I think it’s only fair to say that the Europa Cup dream for next season is back on the menu !!!

Next Sunday Ankaragucu host 12^th placed Kayseri at the early KO time of 1.30pm.

Bring it on !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim