SQUEAKY BUM TIME APPROACHES FOR BOTH ANKARA TEAMS !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Yes, it is tight at the top of the League with the League Title still up for grabs.   However, it is all doom and gloom at the bottom with the relegation issue likely to be played out until the last ball is kicked.

It was Ankaragucu who caused the biggest shock of the weekend when they returned from high flying Trabzon with a well earned point, and in the process, dented Trabzon’s title hopes.   Genclerbirligi, on the other hand, had another setback at home losing all 3 points to Kasimpasa.

In view of the current situation, I am unable to watch any of the matches, so my reports for the time being will cover the bare-bones with little or no detail.

Trabzonspor         1               ANKARAGUCU         1

Team -   Ricordo, Pinto, Pazdan, Kulusic, Atila, Faty, Sedat, Scarione, Rodrigues, Saba and Orgill

Trabzon went straight into the lead in the 3^rd minute when Sorloth put Trabzon ahead, and I feared the worst.    However, Ankaragucu held firm and were awarded a penalty in the 63^rd minute which was despatched by Rodrigues.  

Then, 10 minutes before the end Rodrigues was shown a Red card which left Ankaragucu hanging on, and they had a narrow escape in the dying minutes when Trabzon was denied a penalty after the referee consulted the VAR   !!

GENCLERBIRLIGI       0        Kasimpasa       2

Team – Nordfeldt, Ozgenc, Ramos, Toure, Pehlivanoglu, Baino, Candeias, Ayite, Sessegnon, Sio and Stancu

Gencler didn’t improve their survival efforts any by capitulating at home to fellow strugglers Kasimpasa despite having the lions share of possession.    They went behind in the 17^th minute when Koita opened the scoring and Ndongala sealed it in 90 plus 5.

With Gencler in 13^th position on 31 points and Ankaragucu in 18^th position (bottom) on 25 points, the relegation issue is still not a done deal.

The next 2 weeks will prove crucial for both teams, starting next Saturday when Ankaragucu are at home to Alanya in 7^th position.    Gencler travel to Malatya who are in 15^th place.

So, with only 5 more matches left to play, it is now in the players own hands to do the business to at least keep the pot boiling for yet another week.

Also, it goes without saying that Ankaragucu will miss Rodrigues up front next week, which, dare I say it, will mean Ilhan Parlak will be in the starting line up.    Therefore, more pressure on Orgill to start finding the back of the net after a long barren spell   !!!

Watch this space next Sunday for details.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIRLIGI – A MISSED OPPORTUNITY !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Genclerbirligi scorned the chance to move into mid-table safety last night when they drew a blank against bottom club Kayseri.    Well ........... they were bottom, but that ‘distinction’ now belongs to Ankaragucu  !!!

Kayserispor        2            GENCLERBIRLIGI         0

Team – Nordfeldt, Oguz, Kizildag, Toure, Pehlivanoglu, Baiano, Pehlivan, Ozdemir, Candeias, Sio and Stancu

Interesting to spot that old Ankaragucu favourite, Djedje was in the Kayseri team !

Henrique opened the scoring after half an hour of play in the 1^st half, and substitute Kravets put the game out of Gencler’s reach near the end of the match.

Gencler is still left with plenty to do with 6 matches left to play, as they struggle to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Currently in 11^th position, they could be in 12^th position if Kasimpasa beat Fener tonight.

Some crucial matches coming up for Gencler against fellow strugglers Kasimpasa, also Fener....spit....bahce, Sivas and Beshiktrash.

First up though is the home match against Kasimpasa on Monday 29 June which is one of those ‘must win’ matches.

Watch this space for the outcome !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragücü vs Basaksehir match preview!

Ankaragücü are running out of time to save their place in the Turkish Super Lig, and with 7 games remaining they have another tough one tomorrow night at home against title contenders Basaksehir.

Ankaragücü player well last week at Gaziantep when you take into consideration it was the players first game in 12 weeks. That’s longer than a usual summer pre season and there were no friendly matches to keep the players fitness levels up.

The main frustration from the game, was again the inability to convert the many chances the team created. Dever Orgill again worked hard and played his part in the Scarione goal, but at no time looked like scoring. Saba Lobjanidze had a very quiet game, while Gerson showed flashes of brilliance, and then frustrated at other times.

The front 3 players mentioned will be key to Ankaragücü staying up and they have 7 games starting from tomorrow night to turn things around. Gelmin Rivas also comes back into the squad while the likes of Konrad Mikhalak and Ilhan Parlak are chapping at the managers door.

Oscar Scarione has had a tough time since joining the club 18 months ago having only managed a handful of games due to injuries and fitness. In the few games he has played, he has showed his quality with some important goals, and that was the case again at the weekend with another brilliant strike. If he can stay fit he will be another key player.

Ante Kulusic misses out due to suspension and his place will be taken by either Ricardo Faty or Fatih Tultak. Faty will likely get the nod as 19 year old Tultak has yet to make his debut. Alihan Kubalas for unknown reasons terminated his contract with the club weeks ago.

Basaksehir will come to Ankara looking to take all 3 points back to Istanbul as they sit joint top with Trabzonspor. They will be hoping to make it 3rd time lucky this year and finally win the Super
Lig title.

Key players will be Edin Visca, Irfan Kahveci and Daniel Aleksic who will provide the ammunition for in form strike force Demba Ba and Enzo Crivelli. Basaksehir have so many talented players but Visca in particular is arguably the best player in the Super Lig.

Ankaragücü will need to be at their best to take anything from this game and Basaksehir will need to have an off day. Let’s hope for a miracle as Ankaragücü badly need those 3 points.

GENCLERBIRLIGI EASE THE PRESSURE !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The Round Ball in Ankara is back in business again, although sometimes with less detail for Genclerbirligi matches due to the recent decision to play matches behind closed doors for the time being  !

GENCLERBIRLIGI       2             Konyaspor         1

Team – Nordfeldt, Ozgenc, Toure, Ramos Pehlivanoglu, Sessegnon, Seuntjens Pehlivan, Candeias, Sio and Stancu

Sio opened the scoring after the break on 59 minutes, and Jevtovic equalised 3 minutes later.   The winner arrived 7 minutes from the end when substitute Ozdemir made it safe.

As you would expect from these 2 teams, it was a close and tight encounter with Gencler having only 4 shots on target to Konya’s 3.

This win moved Gencler almost into mid-table to 12^th position, but they can’t breathe a sigh of relief yet with only 6 points separating them from the relegation zone   !!

Next Saturday, Gencler travel to bottom club Kayseri who are still not confirmed as ‘relegated’, so things are becoming tense with points vital for both teams.

With a win, Gencler can cement mid-table safety and put another nail into Kayseri’s coffin  !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Gaziantep 1-1 Ankaragucu match report!

The Turkish Super Lig resumed this weekend, and it was the all too familiar unlucky story for Ankaragucu as they drew 1-1 at Gaziantep. Its difficult for all teams at the moment having last played 3 months ago to show their full potential and it showed at times with both sides which made for an exciting game for the neutral.

Team - Freidrich, Kitsiou, Pazdan, Kulusic, Atilla, Pinto, Lukasik, Scarione, Gerson, Saba, Orgill
Subs -Korcan, Sedat, Mahmut, Faty, Ender, Michalak, Cebrail, Aydin, Ilhan, Tultak

Mustafa Resit decided to go with Haruns favorite player Atilla at left back and move Pinto into midfield. There was also a starting place in the line up for Oscar Scarione which proved to be a good decision. No place in the squad for January signings Gelmin Rivas or Milos Stojanovic with Ricardo Faty taking up the final foreign place.

Rivas in particular is a surprise as Dever Orgill again failed to find the net making it only 4 goals from his 23 outings this season. Reports suggested Rivas was in a lot better shape since returning and was looking good in training. Ankaragucu are running out of time to stay in the Super Lig and it could be a wise decision to include him against Basaksehir next weekend.

Gaziantep started the brighter of the two teams and it was Muahmmet Demir who had the first chance of the game but he somehow headed over from just 5 yards out and it was a lucky escape for Ankaragucu.

Oscar Scarione went close for Ankaragucu from 30 yards but his shot was deflected just wide of the post, although the referee wrongly gave Gaziantep a goal kick.

The opening goal of the game came after 25 minutes when Kulusic clumsily brought Maxim down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Maxim stepped up himself and sent Freidrich the wrong way to make it 1-0 Gaziantep.

Shortly after Gaziantep had a chance to double their lead through Djilobodji but he missed a sitter from 2 yards as he headed wide of the post and another lucky escape for Ankaragucu.

From then on, Ankaragucu dominated the game. Gerson Rodrigues went past a couple of Gaziantep defenders but instead of showing a bit of composure with just Guvenc to beat in the Gaziantep goal, he blasted his shot which came back off the crossbar. An excellent run from the Luxembourg international, but he should have finished it.

Half Time

Early in the second half Lukasik had a chance from the edge of the box but he shot just wide. Then minutes later came the goal, and what a goal it was. The ball found its way to Scarione on the edge of the box who shot into the top corner giving Guvenc no chance. A brilliant goal from the Argentinian.

Gerson then had a go from 25 yards but his swerving shot was palmed away by Guvenc and Ankaragucu were really piling the pressure on. Gerson and Scarione combined again with a lovely pass and go, Scarione only had the keeper to beat, but his shot was brilliantly saved.

Atilla Turan had a free kick saved by Guvenc before a crazy last 5 minutes where Ankaragucu should have taken the 3 points.

First up was Stelios Kitsiou, he brilliantly beat his man in the box and only had the keeper to beat but shot straight at him. Then minutes later a great counter attacking move found its way to Konrad Mikhalak but he also shot straight at Guvenc.

An overall good performance from Ankaragucu in their first match back but when you create so many open chances and only take 1 of them you fail to win football matches. Ankaragucu are now 2 points from safety but next up is on form Basaksehir next weekend at home. Lets pray for a miracle.