Tuesday, March 19, 2019

GENCLERBIRLIGI – SOME DAYLIGHT AT LAST !




Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Genclerbirligi ground out another narrow win (1-0) in Adana on Sunday to stay in contention for promotion back into the Super League.

Denizli also won away in Afyon (3-1) on Sunday to stay in the race to be Champions.

The good news for Gencler is that close rivals Osman.....spit....li and Umraniye both lost to Hatay and Gazi respectively.   Gencler can now see some daylight between themselves and Osmanli.

Denizli and Gencler have 54 points with Denizli on top by virtue of their two goals difference over Gencler.   Osmanli follow in 3rd but now SIX points behind.

Next weekend is the International Break, so the pairings for the following weekend are –

Gencler v Bolu (home)
Denizli v Altay (home)
Osmanli v Altinordu (away)

With 8 matches remaining it is all in Gencler’s hands now to keep their nerve and see it out.

Do it !!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Monday, March 18, 2019

ANKARAGUCU CAPITULATE !




Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

No excuses offered and no excuses necessary after Ankaragucu’s capitulation to an average Malatya team who took their chances well and showed Ankaragucu that ‘the round thingie’ must be put between ‘the sticks’ to win a match.

Ankaragucu may live to rue this opportunity of picking up at least one point in Malatya with so many difficult matches on the horizon.    Having watched the Basaksehir v Kayseri match last night it will be an uphill struggle to take any points off Basaksehir.

Yeni Malatyaspor      3             ANKARAGUCU     1

Team – Altay, Pazdan, Pinto, Kulusic, Kitsiou, Moke, Sedat, Boyd, Canteros, Sacko and Orgill

Substitutes – Ilhan, Zaur and Moulin

Maniac Kanka Harun and I met up at his Tshirtmatic Sport and Bridal Shop and watched the match in The Anasson Bar full of confidence, especially when we saw the starting line up.   However, with all due respect to Sedat, it is time to bring in Moulin in his place and give the captain’s armband back to Altay !    Sedat has proved yet again that he is out of his depth in the Super League.



After last week’s ‘love-in’ with Bursa, there was very little brotherly love shown in Malatya with both teams going hammer and tong to score the opening goal.

The first chance fell to Ankaragucu in the 7th minute when Sacko sent in an inviting cross to Orgill’s head, but the goalkeeper was a split second ahead and punched the ball clear.

4 minutes later Malatya should have opened the scoring when a cross came in from the right and TWO attackers missed their attempts to connect with the Ankaragucu defence ‘all at sea’ !

A few minutes later Pinto (our Jesus Christ lookalike) broke up a promising Malatya attack which had a goal written all over it.   Then straight from his clearance a fast attack by Ankaragucu and the ball was played to the unmarked Sedat on the left, but he blasted the ball well over the bar when a cool head was called for.

2 minutes later and it was Pinto again who turned provider when he crossed and inch perfect ball for Orgill, but his header was over the bar.

On the half hour mark and another sweeping Ankaragucu move fed the ball to Orgill on the left, but with two support players well positioned in the centre and right he didn’t look up but made the attempt himself which was well wide of the target.

Approaching half time and Malatya had another goalbound attempt but a saving diving header from Pazdan prevented the opener.

So, going in at half time all square was probably a fair reflection of the play, but Ankaragucu’s passing was erratic at times and they were also guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply.

Malatya came out for the 2nd half the more determined team and after 5 minutes in Ankaragucu had Altay to thank for making a finger tip save to prevent a shot (or was it a cross) from creeping in.

However, it only took two more minutes for Malatya to make the break through when the referee awarded a dubious penalty when Kulasic was adjudged to have brought an attacker down in the box.   OK, it was HIS decision, but speaking as an ex-Class 1 referee, the player fell before the tackle and both players were going for the ball.   Also, he really should have looked at the VAR.    Perhaps he would have done so if Malatya had been the away team ???!!!

5 minutes later and Ankaragucu made a great show of shooting themselves in the foot with a schoolboy defensive blunder which would be classed as a ‘comedy show’ by Malatya supporters.   A Malatya attacker received the ball in the box, and surrounded by FOUR Ankaragucu defenders, was able to shoot and score despite their feeble attempts to stop him.   Aaaaargh !!!

It was almost three 12 minutes later when a Malatya attacker waltzed through the Ankaragucu defence, but his goal bound shot was deflected tor a corner.

Ankaragucu eventually managed to put The Round Ball between the sticks and it was created by Pinto who won a tackle on the left and passed to Orgill who advanced on goal, looked up, and shot into the bottom left.

15 minutes to go and Orgill scored the equaliser ........ or so he and everyone thought !     BUT, he was on the goal line when he received a headed pass and was correctly ruled offside.

2 minutes later and Ankaragucu was pressing forward in search of the equaliser and Orgill had  a genuine penalty appeal waved away by the referee when he was pushed twice in the box.

Then, with 7 minutes to go and Ankaragucu still searching for that equaliser came the golden opportunity which as missed.   A cross came in from the left to the unmarked Ilhan who blasted the ball over when a simple side foot effort was all that was required.

Almost at the final whistle and Orgill and Kulusic both bad chances to equalise.  However, Orgill’s header was just past the post and Kulusic copied Ilhan and blasted over when well placed in front of goal.

Unforgivable finishing from Ankaragucu and as the match entered 3 minutes added time, the killer touch came from Malatya.     A fast attack on the left and a pass through the static Ankaragucu defence to an unmarked attacker on the right.   Altay made a fantastic save to parry his shot, but the rebound was stroked in with Altay helpless on the ground after the first save.   Cruel on Altay !

Ankaragucu lost to an average Malatya team due to sloppy defending and wastefulness in front of goal, and as I said previously, it doesn’t auger well for some of the Ankaragucu matches coming up, especially against Basaksehir, not to mention Fener and Beshiktrash.

I think we must prepare for a relegation scrap !!!

It’s the International break next weekend and then Ankaragucu must prepare for the visit of an  improving Fener team.

Mustafa Bey knows what he must do to have the players fired-up for the run-in, starting first with Fener......spit......bahce !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

GENCLERBIRLIGI GRIND OUT ANOTHER 3 POINTS !




Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Genclerbirligi dug deep again to record another narrow victory on Sunday by defeating Altay 1-0 in Ankara – it was a penalty put away by Stancu.

Anyway, at this stage of the season the style of play and pleasing the fans is not high on the agenda.   The 3 points is all that counts and returning to the Super League next season !

Osman....spit....li is beginning to feel the pressure and they dropped points for the 2nd successive weeks when they drew 0-0 away to Adana Demirspor on Saturday.

Last night (Monday), Denizli also dropped points at home when they drew 0-0 with 4th placed Umraniye.  

So, the picture at the top has only changed slightly with Denizli and Gencler on 51 points, Osmanli on 48 and Umraniye on 45.

Next Saturday Osmanli face another difficult fixture at home to 5th placed Hatay.   On Sunday Denizli visit Afyon and Gencler travel to Adanaspor.

With only 9 matches left to play the pressure has been turned-up.    Who will crack first ??!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Saturday, March 09, 2019

Ankaragücü 0-0 Bursaspor match report!



Today’s match with Bursaspor wasn’t about football. Instead 20,000 Ankaragücü fans and some fans from other clubs including Goztepe, Eskisehirspor, Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray attended the match to pay their respects to Ankaragücü fans Eren Acigoz and Mert Cakir who sadly lost their lives last weekend in a Bus crash.

All proceedings including gate money from today’s match was donated by the club to both of the kids families who were in attendance to witness the emotional and stunning tribute by all who took part. We at the Round ball in Ankara offer our condolences to the families of both Eren and Mert.

Team - Altay, Kitsiou, Pazdan, Kulusic, Pinto, Moke, Djedje, Canteros, Boyd, Sacko, Orgill

Subs - Korcan, Moulin, Ilhan, Scarione, Mehmet Sak, Alihan, Mahmut, Aydin, Cebrail, Kaan

Both teams started the match brightly and there were 6 chances in the opening 6 minutes but both sides were wasteful with their finishing, and that would continue throughout the whole match.

In the first minute Henri Saivet saw his shot well saved by Altay who tipped the ball over for a corner. From the resulting corner Chedjou headed inches wide with Altay rooted to the spot. 

At the other end an only a minute later. Boyd swung in a great ball and Orgill saw his head cleared off the line. Two minutes later the Jamaican was put through on goal by Canteros but he saw his shot saved by Okan from a tight angle. 

Aytac then went close for Bursa on the 6th minute but his shot from 30 yards went wide of the post. Five minutes later Erdogan had a great chance for Bursaspor but for a brilliant last ditch tackle by Ante Kulusic.

Stelios Kitsiou continues to impress and he went on a great run down the right hand side before crossing the ball to the back post for Sacko but he shot into the side netting. On the 36th minute Hector Canteros put in a good cross from a corner for Kulusic who headed over when he should have at least hit the target. 

Three minutes later Aytac almost caught Altay out with a great free kick but the ball came back off the post. Two minutes he went close again but his shot from 25 yards went inches wide. Aytac was having a great game for Bursa in the middle of the park. Bursa has one more chance before the break as Lima shot from distance but Altay saved easily.

Half Time - Ankaragucu 0-0 Bursaspor 

Five minutes into the second half and Lima was put through on goal but he took a heavy touch and Altay smothered the ball at his feet. 

Ten minutes later Boyd saw his free kick go inches over and then a brilliant move involving Pinto and Boyd who set up Sacko but his shot was straight at Okan.

A minute later and Canteros put through Orgill but he shot wide of the post when he should have done better. Moments later another good move from Ankaragücü ended with Canteros shooting straight at Okan.

That would be the last chance of the game as both sides held out for the draw. A fair result as both sides had their chances but were wasteful. Hector Canteros again led Ankaragücü in distance covered. Ante Kulusic and Michal Pazdan were outstanding at the back and young Altay again kept a clean sheet as Ankaragücü have only lost 1 game since the January break.

Next up Ankaragücü travel to Yeni Malatyaspor next Sunday. We will have the match preview midweek.

Monday, March 04, 2019

ALL CHANGE AT THE TOP ........... AGAIN !




Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Genclerbirligi spurned the chance to regain top spot in the League yesterday -  a position they occupied for most of the first half of the league.   They could only manage a no-scoring draw in Afyon, but in the process moved up one place to 2nd.

The shock result of the weekend was last week’s leaders, Osman....spit....li, losing 1-0 at home to Gazisehir.

The new leader is Denizlispor who won 2-1 and they are on 50 points.   Gencler follow on 48 points, Osmanli on 47 and Umraniye in 4th place on 44.

So, like I’ve been saying for the past few weeks now, this league is going to be decided towards, or at the end, of the season.   For followers of the top 4 teams, interesting days ahead !

Next weekend is another opportunity for Gencler to regain that top spot again when they host 11th placed Altay at home on Sunday.

Osman.....spit....li and Denizli have difficult fixtures which will seriously test their resolve.   Osmanli visit Adana Demirspor on Saturday and Denizli will be at home to Umraniye on Monday.

C’mon Gencler, time to move onwards and upwards !!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Saturday, March 02, 2019

ORGILL FIRES IN A HAT-TRICK TO IGNITE ANKARAGUCU’S SEASON !




Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

A tremendous performance from Ankaragucu in Antalya last night when they put a useful Antalya team to the sword with a classic display of non-stop attacking football.   This win moves Ankaragucu out of the relegation area up to 11th in the league, at least for now until other results come in this weekend !

Antalyaspor       2             ANKARAGUCU       4

Team – Altay, Sedat, Pinto, Kulusic, Pazdan, Kitsou, Djedje, Sacko, Boyd, Canteros and Orgill

Substitutes – Moulin and Ilhan

I met-up with two of my friends from The Old Pegasus Group in The Anasson Bar.    Emir and Ziver are two of the originals from this group and I’ve seen them many times in Maraton, but it was great to catch-up with them again and enjoy the match together.



The match started at a furious pace and both teams were intent on attack which didn’t really let-up for the whole match.   I made a comment at half time that it was breath-taking footie from both teams.

The match was swinging from end to end and the first goal came in the 18th minute from an Antalya corner on the left.    It was swung over to the near post where an Antalya attacker got to it first ahead of a defender and angled his header to the back post.    The ball hit the post and deflected in with Altay wrong footed.

Some teams might have folded after this, but not Ankaragucu.    3 minutes later and it was all square.    A great pass from Pinto to Orgill on the left and he brought the ball forward and let fly with an angled shot around the goalkeeper and in at the right post.
  
5 minutes later and Ankaragucu went ahead.   Boyd received a pass on the left, brought the ball forward and lobbed the goalkeeper at the near post.    It may have gone in, but Orgill was following up and he made sure to almost burst the net !

4 minutes later and it was all square again !    Nazin received a pass just outside the box and waltzed through a few feeble tackles to power in an unstoppable shot past Altay.    Poor defending by Ankaragucu to detract from the good play which had gone before this goal.

It looked like it was going to be honours even at the half time whistle, BUT ......... Orgill had other ideas !     3 minutes to go and another great searching pass by Pinto to the right and the cross for the in rushing Orgill to make a diving header and in.    A fantastic flowing move and a well executed goal by Orgill who gave us a few back somersaults in celebration of his hat-trick !!

The 2nd half resumed and both teams started like an express train with play flowing from end to end.  

Both teams had chances to score again but Altay was again in inspiring form and Ankaragucu was guilty of wastefulness in the final third.  

Approaching the end of the match and I could sense both teams were tiring, which was unsurprising in view of the hectic pace of the match.  

However, there was one last piece of skill to admire when Ankaragucu made a sweeping move down the right on 90 plus 5.   The ball was slipped into Boyd’s path and he swept in a great shot for the 4th goal.    What a finish to a truly memorable match !

My man of the match is going to Pinto for his non-stop work in defence and midfield.    This was his best match ever in an Ankaragucu shirt and more of this will do nicely.    Of course, a special mention too for hat-trick hero Orgill who is now showing us what we have missed since Umut Nayir jumped ship to Bursa.  

A great team effort and one which bodes well for the future if we can keep the nucleus of this team together for next season.

To end on a sad note ....... it has been reported this morning that two young Ankaragucu fans died in a traffic accident on the way back to Ankara last night.    The Kanka Group send our condolences to their families.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim