GENCLERBIRLIGI PROPPING UP THE LEAGUE ALONGSIDE ANKARAGUCU !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

The appointment of new Coach, Mustafa Kaplan, obviously failed to inspire Gencler last Saturday as they slumped to a heavy defeat against Fener....spit.....bahce.

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI          1                 Fenerbahce           5

 

However, despite the score line, it doesn’t do justice to Gencler’s endeavours throughout the match when they had 55% possession and the same number of shots on target as Fener, ie, 5.     So, it doesn’t take a high IQ to figure out the problem and I’m sure that will be the focus in training in the weeks ahead.

 

Fener may well be in the top 5 in the league, but they flattered to deceive at times against Gencler and if they produce this type of performance against a better equipped team than Gencler, they will probably be displaced at the top.    Having said that, all 5 of their goals were clinically despatched and there can be no excuse from Gencler at dropping all 3 points.

 

So, to this week’s match ..................

 

A similar story to last week’s with Gencler having 56% possession and 5 shots on target and nothing to show for it except zero points  !!

 

Kasimpasa        2                 GENCLERBIRLIGI         0

 

Team – Nordfeldt, Arda, Toure, Diego, Polomat, Piris, Ozdemir, Yilmaz, Yildirm, Candeias and Sio

 

Substitutes – Soner, Furman, Altiparmak and Ilker

 

Interesting to see Fueat Capa back as Kasimpasa Coach  -  that was quick   !!!

 

Into the 15^th minute of the match and Kasimpasa scored an offside goal by Armin which was flagged by the Linesman.    However, he obviously didn’t see that the ball had deflected off a Gencler attacker.    The Referee did, and the goal was awarded   !     Armin made no mistake with his shot.

 

10 minutes later and the writing was on the wall.   It was a brilliant goal with some trickery by Carius on the right to leave Toure bemused.    He cut the ball back into the centre and there was Armin to poke it it  !

 

Kasimpasa should have made it 3 half way through the 2^nd half when Armin had 2 attempts, but both were well saved by Nordfeldt.

 

Gencler  were then given a lifeline with 15 minutes left for play when Arda was brought down in the box and a penalty given.    Sio sent a weak shot to the left which was well saved by Ramazan and the chance was lost.

 

5 minutes later and Sio had another golden opportunity when he missed a sitter right in front of goal only 2 metres out and sent his shot past the post when the goal was gaping  !!

 

Gencler can now look forward to a cold and miserable winter with this type of performance.    However, firstly they must negotiate a home match against league leaders Alanyaspor next Saturday   !!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU SINK EVEN DEEPER INTO THE ‘SOAPY BUBBLE’ !!!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Ankaragucu failed to ‘grasp the nettle’ last Sunday in Izmir to move off the bottom place in the league.   This result sees them stuck at the bottom with some very difficult matches coming up in the weeks ahead.

 

Goztepe             3                 ANKARAGUCU           1

 

I was left scratching my head when I saw the line-up, with Alper, Emre and Borven on the bench.    Surely Fuat Bey has to put out an all out attacking team for such an important match   ??!!

 

Ankaragucu paid the price with their only goal coming in the 91^st minute when Borven picked up a deft back-heel pass from Emre to fire in a consolation goal.    If those two had been on from the start, we might have seen a different score line   !!!

 

Goztepe opened the scoring in the 9^th minute after Ndiaye looped in a header from a left wing cross with Ricardo and Pazdan getting in each others way to make it easy for him.

 

Ankaragucu had a golden opportunity to draw level when they were awarded a penalty in the 24^th minute when Endri Cekici was bundled over in the box.   He then took the penalty himself and sent the ball way up into the sky near the cloud base on the right and way off target with the Goztepe goalkeeper diving the wrong way   !!!    Aaaaargh !!!

 

Then just before half time, Saba missed an open goal with only a defender standing on the line and the goalkeeper out of position.    More ......aaaaargh   !!!

 

Criminal for both those chances to be spurned   !!!

 

Goztepe finished the match as a contest half way through the 2^nd half with 2 well taken goals.   The first, a classic cut back for Halil to poke in.   The 2^nd when Pazdan failed to dispossess Ndiaye who curled his shot beyond Ricardo.

 

And so to tonight’s match ...............

 

ANKARAGUCU          0                 Trabzonspor         1

 

Team – Ricardo, Kitsiou, Pazdan, Sarliga, Pinto, Voca, Atakan, Saba, Alper, Orkan and Borven

 

Substitutes - Bollingi, Emre, Paintsil and Adzic

 

The Ankaragucu Coach has, unsurprisingly, left the Club (by mutual consent  ??!!), and new Temporary Coach, Mustafa Dalci, has taken over for the time being.

 

The match was slow to come alive and Trabzon was first to threaten with a shot in the 15^th minute which went narrowly past the post.

 

However, just when I thought we might go in at half time all square (rather fortunately I may add !!) the damage was done.    Just before the half time whistle, Atakan was carelessly dispossessed and with the follow-on attack a free kick resulted for Trabzon just outside the box in the centre.    Baker took it and sent the ball over the wall and into the top right with Ricardo well beaten with a despairing attempt to save.    As perfect a free kick as you are likely to see  !!

 

Ankaragucu was under pressure for most of the 1^st half with a backs-against-the-wall performance and offering little work for Orcan in the Trabzon goal.   Passes were going astray and they were always chasing the game with the defence overworked and Borven and lonely figure up front who looked like a lost sheep at times.

 

The 2^nd half was really more of the same with Ankaragucu’s only serious attempt at goal coming in the 83^rd minute after some fine work by Atakan on the left when he crossed, Bollingi was inches away from connecting and the ball was out of play.

 

Trabzon Captain. Pereira, received a 2^nd yellow card in the 88^th minute for dissent to the referee, which did cause a late flurry of attacking by Ankaragucu, but nothing to seriously trouble Orcan.

 

Throughout the match Trabzon had so much more time on the ball and always seemed to have a man waiting to receive the pass and press forward.    They were well in control of the match and it was surprising that they didn’t add further goals.     I lost count of the times Ankaragucu played the ball back to defenders and Ricardo from the centre circle area.    There wasn’t anyone to take the midfield by the scruff of the neck and press forward to put Trabzon under any sort of pressure   !

 

So, Ankaragucu is gradually being cast adrift at the bottom of the league and still searching for their first win of the season.

 

That may not even come next weekend when they travel to Antalya on Sunday for yet another difficult match and perhaps last season’s striker, Orgill, will face his old team mates.

 

Sorry to say that I can’t end on a note of optimism.    The tunnel is too dark and I can’t see any light in the distance  !!

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

 

Ankaragucu vs Trabzonspor match preview!

 

Firstly, I just wanted to send my condolences to Chris and the Wade family. I know myself and Jim haven't felt like doing the match reports and reviews of late due to the tragic passing of young Matthew. The tributes from both Ankaragucu and Genclerbirligi fans in particular of late have shown how well loved he was and part of the Gencler family. He wont ever be forgotten by the Ankara football community. RIP Matthew. 

Its been 10 years since Ankaragucu last won a match against Trabzonspor. A sole strike from Robert Vittek gave Ankaragucu a 1-0 victory but since then it has been 5 defeats and 3 draws. That Ankaragucu team under Roger Lemerre had some quality players in Marek Sapara, Jan Rajnoch, Geremi, Stanislav Sestak, Jerome Rothen (who was terrible at Rangers but managed to have a successful spell at Ankaragucu) managed to avoid relegation after a good run towards the end of the season. 

Fuat Capa was sacked after the embarrassing performance and 3-1 defeat at the weekend against Goztepe. There is no doubting Capa had a tough task as Ankaragucu manager with the large turnover of players, lack of pre season preparation and Covid. But he has had plenty of time at the club and his signing policy and tactical decisions in particular are what led to his demise. His comments after the game that the International Break has saw a good performance against Goztepe in the first have are evidence that his expectations of an Ankaragucu team are not in line with what the club and fans expect.

The club will now look at candidates from both Turkey and abroad with the most likely option of it being someone local. The Fatih Mert era has failed with every managerial appointment so far and sadly most dont have confidence that he will chose the right man this time around. 

Mustafa Dalci who was assistant manager at the club when Mustafa Resit Akcay was manager, and lasted only 2 months as Komurspor manager will now take charge of the clubs match with Trabzonspor on Friday. Fatih Mert denied that he will be the clubs new Manager and instead said he will be Assistant and work with the new manager when he is appointed. 

The problem for any new Manager looking to take the Ankaragucu job, is the mess that Fuat Capa has left. The new signings mostly dont look anywhere near the quality of what is expected of a Super Lig team. The players also look unfit and there is no money available to strengthen the team. Will any manager want to damage their reputation?

Ricardo Freidrich, Michal Pazdan, Ante Kulusic and Stelios Kitsiou were all key players forming a solid defence along with Thiago Pinto. None of these players have played any where near their best under Fuat Capa except Pinto who has missed a lot due to injury. 

From the new signings Sahverdi, Atakan, Borven and Paintsil have showed glimpses of potential. Assane and Voca cant show anything until the are fit, Sarlija has been playing out of position and the likes of Bolingi, Adzic, Mucahit havent been anywhere near good enough. We should also see the end of Saba Lobjanidze playing for the club, a football player who doesnt score goals or create assists is useless in attack.

Trabzonspor have had their own issues this season losing key players such as Jose Sosa, Alexander Sorloth,  and John Obi Mikel without replacing them with similar quality. Benek Afobe and Lewis Baker have come in from England but Afobe in particular has come in for some criticism. Replacing Sorloth is a difficult task. 

The Black Sea outfit are one of the most entertaining sides to watch in Turkey but also the most frustrating. With the demise of the Istanbul teams there was an opportunity for them to win a title, but they blew it on 2 different occasions much to the disappointment of their loyal fans. 

Eddie Newton was sacked as manager a couple of weeks ago and has been replaced with Abdullah Avci which is a good appointment for the club. He will be looking to bring in some stability to the squad and started with a clean sheet and 1-0 victory over Erzerumspor at the weekend. 

The good news for Ankaragucu is that despite being rooted to the bottom of the table with 0 wins to their name, no club in the Turkish Super League are unbeatable. If Ankaragucu can at least be well organised and find that team spirit they could get a result, but they will need to be at their best. 

For this match i would look at a 4-4-1-1 formation to suit Alper Potuk and be solid at the back. Let us know your thoughts.

GK - Freidrich - Im starting to lose my patience with Ricardo and he needs to up his game otherwise his place is under threat. I would give him 1 more opportunity for him to get back to last seasons form.

RB - Cebrail - I would be looking to push Kitsiou further forward as we dont have any other wide players we can trust at the moment both defensively and in attack. Cebrail has come under some criticism in the past but he has also had some good performances too and if the team keeps its shape i think he will be fine.

CB - Pazdan - Unusual poor performance from him at the weekend, he will be extremely disappointed. But a new manager and fresh start. Its vital he forgets about last week and focuses on the challenge ahead. 

CB - Erdi - This was a toss up between Erdi and Sarlija as both have struggled. I do however think when both are at their best and not making mistakes Erdi is the better player. If we can limit him to making decisions and just allowing the midfield to try and create while also giving him protection i think he will be much better. He is also very strong in the air. 

LB - Pinto - If he is fit we need Pinto back ASAP as he is one of the biggest attacking threats in the team with his delivery into the box which is key for Borven who has proved he can score goals if given the opportunity.

RM - Stelios Kitsiou - Both Saba and Adzic have failed to score a single goal or add an assist and we are 3 months into the season. I would work with Adzic and give him a place on the bench but Saba should be released from his contract. Kitsiou gives you balance in the team as he can help Cebrail defend but also is a big attacking threat going forward. 

CM - Atakan Cankaya - The one thing i expect of any Ankaragucu is commitment and Atakan is one of the few players who can hold his head high. He still has a lot of improvement and parts of his game to work on but his work rate and breaking up the play is something we need especially protecting the defence when Cebrail and Pinto go forward. 

CM - Daniel Lukasik - I was tempted to go with Sahverdi but i have opted with Lukasik due to his experience and we have seen in the past he can be a reliable player in midfield. I actually think he was unlucky to come off at the weekend and the team looked worse when he came off. 

LM - Joseph Paintsil - First game back last week was frustrating and he will be looking to improve on this weeks outing. Has the ability and pace to cause problems on the counter attack. Decision making is key and getting close to Borven creating chances. 

CAM - Alper Potuk - Wasnt happy at getting left out of the team at the weekend and was poor when he came on. The formation with two defensive midfielders and a more conservative wide player in Kitsiou allows Potuk to go and play and concentrate on creating instead of tracking back into his own half as he doesnt have the fitness to cover the full pitch. He needs to get close to Borven and make sure he isnt isolated and create chances for the big Norwegian. 

CF - Torgeir Borven - If you create chances for him he will score. He is a penalty box striker and the team need to find a way of creating for him. It shouldnt even be up for debate who starts between him and the useless Bolingi. 

ANKARAGUCU AND GENCLERBIRLIGI

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

There will be no match reports this weekend as a mark of respect to our sadly departed kanka, Matthew, who passed away last Wednesday.

 

We will put brief ‘gloomy’ reports of this weekend’s matches up next weekend together with next weekend’s matches, ie,

 

Friday -   ANKARAGUCU   v     Trabzonspor

Sunday – Kasimpasa   v    GENCLERBIRLIGI

 

The results of this weekend’s matches were –

 

GENCLERBIRLIGI         1                Fenerbahce        5

 

Goztepe       3                  ANKARAGUCU          1   

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

SAD DAYS FOR THE KANKA GROUP !!

 Farewell party for Matthew in the Red Lion Club before he left for Australia.

A photo of Matthew in the early days of his life as a Kanka and footie fanatik  !!

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

I have to report sad news  !

 

The Kanka Group, which incorporates Ankaragucu and Genclerbirligi supporters, wish to extend their heart-felt condolences to our Blog Founder, Oz Kanka Chris, and his wife, Elif, on the loss of their son, Matthew, who died suddenly last Wednesday in Canberra.

 

Words can’t express how we all feel at the loss of such a fine young man who left us all devastated and heart-broken.

 

Matthew followed in his father’s footsteps by supporting Genclerbirligi on a regular basis from an early age until he left Ankara for Australia to study at a High School in Canberra.

 

His farewell party at The Red Lion Club in the British Embassy was tinged with sadness at his leaving, but also with hope for his future to eventually study at an Australian University.

 

For those of us whose life he touched, he will never be forgotten, and football takes a back-seat today when we still feel the loss of such a popular and loveable young man.

 

Genclerbirligi reports will return, but as a mark of respect to Matthew and his family, we will save our thoughts in memory of him and his wonderful family, who like us, are mourning his loss.

 

We send our love and best wishes to Chris, Elif and their Australian family.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Goztepe vs Ankaragucu match preview!

 

Sundays match with Goztepe is a must win for Ankaragucu and no other result will be acceptable. Fuat Capa has a full team available for selection now that everyone has recovered from Covid, while Goztepe will be missing 3-4 players. Ankaragucu have enjoyed a successful training camp in Antalya and Fuat expressed his delight at having everyone available for selection. 

The performances under Capa have been unacceptable as have the results, but to be fair he hasnt had the opportunity to play a full strength team this season. With the team rooted to the bottom of the table with only 2 points, time is running out to turn things around before they are too far behind the rest of the relegation candidates. 

Despite a disappointing 2-2 draw against Fatih Karagumruk, there were some positives to take from that match. The team didnt play well but still managed to take a point against a good Karagumruk side. Emre Gural again showed he can be a valuable player in the squad as he scored the equalising goal and his overall play was impressive. Daniel Lukasik came on and made a difference too and will be hoping to find a place back in the starting line up after a poor start to the season.

Question marks still hang over the likes of Jonathan Bolingi, Torgen Borven, Saba Lobjanidze and Luka Adzic who have all failed to deliver this season. Zero assists between the four players, with both Saba and Adzic failing to hit the net. Adzic does have the talent and if he can get on the scoresheet or grab an assist it might give him the confidence to go on and kickstart his Ankaragucu career. 

Torgen Borven came with a good reputation from his time in Norway and its clear that he needs the attacking players to create 4-5 chances per game for him to be effective. If those chances arent being made he is very ineffective. Saba and Bolingi we have already said to much about those two.

Alper Potuk is key to how Ankaragucu play, he needs 2-3 workers behind him who will break up play and allow him to go and create. The one negative is his fitness, thats why we cant him playing in a central midfield role. He needs to be playing in one of those wide/number 10 positions where he can come inside close to the striker and allow Pinto to come forward. 

Goztepe like every other Super Lig team will be tough opposition, but also a team where Ankaragucu can go and take all 3 points. Dever Orgill and Gerson Rodrigues scored the goals the last time the two sides met last season which finished 2-2.

They have taken 8 points from their first 7 games winning 1, losing 1 and drawing the rest. They have some talented players including Halil Akbunar, Guillherme and new signing Cherif Ndiaye but have lost key players from last season Beto and Serdar Gurler. They will also be without new signing Brown Ideye. 

The key to winning this game is the midfield. Ankaragucu need to be solid in the middle of the park and keep their shape which should allow the attacking players to go and create including Pinto and Kitsiou. A strong midfield will also protect the centre halfs when Pinto and Kitsiou go forward. Far too many times we have seen Erdi and Pazdan exposed on the counter attack.

Lets hope we have something to celebrate on Sunday!

THE GENCLERBIRLIGI EXPRESS RUNS OUT OF STEAM !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

I was unable to watch the Gencler v Gaziantep match on 31 October which ended 1-1.  

 

Gaziantep took the lead in the 1^st half with a penalty and Gencler equalised just after the break   with a goal from the impressive Candeias.

 

Surprise ......surprise ...... Gencler had 5 shots on target which is a record for them this season   !!!

 

Interstingly, Stancu was on the bench but not used, so perhaps he was nursing an injury  ?!

 

Back to this week and Gencler started the match yesterday like an express train and were one up after only 40 Seconds  !!

 

Istanbul Basaksehir           2                  GENCLERBIRLIGI          1

 

Team – Nordfeldt, Johanssen, Toure, Diego, Polomat, Piris, Yildirim, Yilmaz, Ozdemir, Candeias and Ayite

 

Substitutes – Soner, Altinparmak and Arda

 

Gencler’s opening goal was one to savour and totally unexpected.    Gencler broke down the right.    The ball was passed 3 times from right to left with one of the passes being an exquisite back-heel which caught out the Basak rearguard.    Sefa Yilmaz was unmarked on the left and he shot to the top right well out of reach of the goalkeeper.

 

Basak was understandably shell shocked and almost conceded a 2^nd goal 18 minutes in when Yildirim’s shot hit the post and was cleared.

 

However, it didn’t take Basak long to respond.   4 minutes later a shot from just inside the box brushed the post and went out of play.      4 minutes later DemBa almost scored, but his goal bound shot was deflected by a defender for a corner.

 

Gencler had another chance to increased their lead near the end of the first half when Candeias was one on one with the goalkeeper, but he smothered the ball before Candeias could shoot.

 

Basak started the 2^nd half in more determined fashion and were unlucky not to equalise on 4 occasions.    Gencler had Nordfeldt to thank for 2 great saves which were all goal bound.   Basak also hit the post and had a shot which whizzed just past the post.

 

Then the game changer arrived half way through the 2^nd half when Johanssen received his marching-orders for a foot up tackle from behind on the back of the leg of a Basak player.   It was a needless tackle near the halfway line on the left which left the Basak player requiring lengthy treatment.

 

8 minutes later Basak finally found the equaliser as they increased the pressure on the over-worked Gencler defence.     Gulbrandsen had just come off the substitutes bench when a cross came in from the left and he rose unchallenged to head powerfully in with Nordfeldt well beaten.

 

The winning goal arrived in the 93^rd minute when Mehmet Topal, another substitute, powered in another header from yet another cross from the left.

 

It was rough on Gencler, but I suppose no more than Basak deserved after their 2^nd half domination of possession.

 

Next up is the home match against Fener......spit.....bahce on 22 November, so no respite for Gencler as they attempt to move out of the relegation zone.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU LIVING DANGEROUSLY, BUT SNATCH A POINT !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Another lack lustre display from Ankaragucu this afternoon who were rather fortunate to escape with a point.     Karagumruk took their foot off the pedal in the 2^nd half and really should have killed the game off if they had continued at the pace the showed in the 1^st half.

 

Karagumruk’s passing was crisp and accurate with lots of one touch passes which Ankaragucu had difficulty in dealing with.   On the other hand, Ankaragucu’s passing was erratic and Ankaragucu players easily dispossessed with Karagumruk players pressing and not allowing Ankaragucu time on the ball.   Also, the forwards, notably Bollingi, were slow to react to passes from colleagues allowing the Karagumruk defence to challenge and win tackles easily.

 

ANKARAGUCU       2                 Fatih Karagumruk            2

 

Team -  Ricardo, Sarliga, Erdi, Pazdan, Atilla, Atakan, Assance, Saba, Adzic, Borven and Bolingi

 

Substitutes – Cetin, Emre, Lukasik, Can and Orkan

 

It was interesting to note that Karagumruk’s starting line-up were all foreign players.    However, there were a few Turkish players on the bench  !!

 

The first real chance came to Ankaragucu in the 5^th minute when a low cross came in from the right, but there were no takers.

 

9 minutes later and Karagumruk went into the lead when Assane lost possession in midfield when he dithered on the ball.    Karagumruk took off on the right with the Ankaragucu defence backpedalling and when the cross came into the box there was Sobilech to tap in.

 

7 minutes later and it was Ricardo to the rescue when he saved a goal bound shot with his outstretched foot.    There may have been a slight deflection, so it was a good reaction save.

 

Ankaragucu was then given a lifeline 3 minutes later when they were awarded a penalty.   Ervin’s arm and hand went into the face of Sarligi in the box in a challenge and the referee pointed to the spot.    Bolingi wanted to take it, but the ball was given to Borven, who sent his shot to the left and the goalkeeper guessed where it was going.   He partially saved it and the ball squirmed out of his hands and into the net.   A poorly taken penalty and a slice of luck for Ankaragucu  !!

 

Karagumruk continued to look dangerous and their possession was rewarded 10 minutes before the break with a 2^nd goal.     A cross came in from the left, and with 5 Ankaragucu defenders around him, Roco was quickest to react and headed into the right corner.

 

More Karagumruk pressure followed with 2 fierce shots which went narrowly past the post.   Then, just before the half time whistle, Erdi lost possession which caused panic in the Ankaragucu defence.   Ricardo partially saved a shot and then the follow-up was blocked and the ball trundled out for a corner.

 

10 minutes into the 2^nd half and Karagumruk almost added a 3^rd when a Karagumruk forward was 1 on 1 with Ricardo but he rushed out and smothered the danger.

 

Bolingi had a great opportunity for a break on the left but his pass to a colleague was wayward and the ball went out of play.  

 

10 minutes to go and Emre almost equalised when his shot to the left corner produced a great save from the goalkeeper for a corner.

 

A few minutes later Pazdan gave away a free kick just outside the box in the centre.    The shot was well directed but hit the bar and out.

 

With only 5 minutes to go, Sarliga had an effort well saved at the right post.

 

With the clock on 90 minutes came the hero.    Ricardo’s long clearance reached Emre who controlled the ball inside the box and shot.   The ball hit the post, rebounded conveniently to Emre and he slotted in for the equaliser   !!

 

There was a scare on 94 minutes when a short back pass was played to Ricardo and his clearance was deflected over the bar by a Karagumruk attacker  !!

 

So, Ankaragucu is still looking for their first win, but perhaps taking a point off an impressive Karagumruk side will give them some much needed confidence for their next match on 22 November when they travel south to play Goztepe in Izmir.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragücü vs Fatih Karagumruk match preview!

 

Fuat Capa goes into tomorrow’s match with Fatih Karagumruk knowing that anything other than a win could see an end to his reign as Ankaragücü manager. The club have failed to win a single game from their opening 5 league games and were knocked out of the Turkish Cup by 3rd tier side Kocaelispor during the week.

Unfortunately for Fuat Capa, things don’t come any easier as Fatih Karagumruk will be tough opposition and it’s unlikely any of the players who have been out due to Covid will return to the starting line up. The players tests this week all came back as negative but they aren’t fit enough to start the match and some may make the bench.

Newly promoted Karagumruk currently sit 5th in the Turkish Super Lig and a very impressive 5-1 victory against Erzerumspor last weekend shows how difficult a test this will be for Ankaragücü. 

The Istanbul side made some excellent additions to the squad in the summer including Badou Ndiaye and Lucas Biglia who have both impressed early on. Erik Sabo, Jimmy Durmaz, Melvut Erdinc and Atif Chaechochue are all quality options in attack.

The two sides have only ever met twice before, and that was back in the 2015/16 season in PTT Lig 1. Ankaragücü won 2-0 at home and drew the away match 1-1. A repeat of these results would be a great boost for Ankaragücü in their fight for survival.

Ankaragücü Know if they are to take anything from tomorrow’s match they will need to take any chances that come their way and keep it tight at the back. The forward players have missed too many opportunities and this will be a big game for the likes of Saba, Borven and Alper who are all likely to start.

Saba in particular has done everything right in his play, beating players, work rate but then let’s himself down with his finishing and end product. Adzic has been the same, he has shown potential but is yet to score or even have an assist.

One player in particular who is starting to get on the wrong side of the Ankaragücü support is Jonathan Bolingi. After the 2 loses last week he was sharing images from himself in those games in Instagram and celebrating his own performances. This loser mentality needs to stop and has been addressed by the management team.

Let’s hope Jim’s return to Match reporting brings us some luck after his annual holiday in Izmir. Our thoughts also are with those who sadly lost their life’s in the Izmir earthquake.

Ankaragucu 1-2 Kocaelispor - Match Report!

 

Ankaragucu were yet again kicked out of the Turkish Cup last night to lower league opposition with an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at home against Kocaelispor. Myself and Jim last night agreed the match report would be a one word protest, but i have too much to say about this team and the performance. 

Team  - Furkan, Atakan, Sarlija, Erdi, Turan, Voca, Assane, Berke, Saba, Alper, Borven

Subs - Freidrich, Emre, Mucahit, Lukasik, Orkan, Adzic, Bolingi, Pazdan, Yusuf, Anil

Fuat Capa handed starts to Academy products Furkan Beklevic and Berke Gurbuz and their was a return to the team for Alper Potuk. 

Ankaragucu started the match very well but it was the same story as every other match this season. As soon as the players got into the box, they couldn't finish their chances, and the final ball was woeful. 

After only 3 minutes, Saba beat two men, before rounding the goalkeeper and had an empty net from a tight angle, but somehow it the bar as he miss hit his shot. That was a sign of what was to come for the rest of the game. 

On the 11th minute Kocaelispor gifted a chance to Saba but his control let him down and he couldn't even get a shot on goal. A couple of minutes later Alper had a good chance but fired his shot high and wide from just inside the box. A minute later and a great bit of play from Borven and Alper but Captain Alper saw his shot hit the post. Ankaragucu were dominating at this stage. 

On the 25th minute Saba had another chance after some nice footwork, but his shot was straight at Ismet and another wasted opportunity. 

Ten minutes later, Atilla Turan crossed for Borven but he headed wide and into the side netting when he should have scored. Just before half time Saba had a free kick easily saved by Ismet. 

Half Time 0-0

After dominating the first have and having 6-7 good opportunities to take the lead, the inevitable happened, as Kocaelispor took the lead 5 minutes into the second half. Poor defending from Atilla and Atakan allowed Mervan to capitilise and put the visitors 1-0 up. 

Irfan had a free kick hit the side netting 5 minutes later as Kocaelispor looked to extend their lead. This was a Kocaelispor team who had Aydin Karabulut in their starting line up and missing some first team players. 

On the 70th minute, Luka Adzic showed great skill beating his man before blasting over from about 8 yards out. Similar to Saba, when it comes to finishing or crossing, Adzic lets himself down.

Ankaragucu did grab their equaliser on the 75th minute when Bolingi got onto his own rebound which came back off the post after a great cross from Alper. 1-1 and Ankaragucu were back in the game and pushing for the winner. 

Kose went close from a Free Kick for Kocaelispor but for a good save from Furkan, and at the other end Adzic had a good chance in the last minute but shot straight at the keeper. 

Then came the winning goal, Ankaragucu on the attack, Erdi makes a mistake, Aydin Karabulut carries the ball and the ball finally finds its way to Kose but Furkan makes a good save. Kocaelispor react quickest and Erdinc puts the ball into the back of the net. 

An awful night for Ankaragucu and Fuat Capa as the team are now winless in the Turkish Super Lig and out of the Turkish Cup against a 3rd tier side. 

Its the same problems every week, wasting multiple opportunities and no end product in the final 3rd. In the first 6 games of the season in League and Cup, Ankaragucu attacking players have 1 assist between them and that came last night from Alper. Of the wingers Saba and Adzic have 0 goals or assists, and Paintsil is the only one to have contributed. 

You look at the bench last night. We had 1 Centre midfielder on the pitch in the second half, and Daniel Lukasik was still sitting on the bench. This is a player we had last season and decided to renew his contract again. Mucahit was signed in the summer and again didnt get on the pitch.

Their needs to be an inquest into the signing policy at Ankaragucu, too many signings are failures. Some of these players still have time to turn things around, but time is running out. 

And next we look at the attitude. The team has lost its last 2 games, and players such as Saba, Bolingi, Sarlija are sharing pictures of themselves on Instagram in those games. Bolingi even shared the result. These guys are losers and disrespecting their fans with this selfish attitude. 

Next up is Fatih Karagumruk on Sunday, if we dont take 3 points, say hello to relegation as early as November. 

Ankaragucu vs Kocaelispor - Cup Preview!

 

Two of the most historical and loyal fanbases will meet in the Turkish Cup tomorrow night as Ankaragucu host Kocaelispor. Both sides have had their fare share of financial problems over recent years and a run in the Turkish Cup could see a much needed cash boost to either side. 

At the start of the century and late 90s both clubs were playing in the UEFA cup against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Rapid Bucharest and Strasbourg. Now you will see Kocaelispor play in the Turkish 3rd tier having spent a few years in the amateur leagues, while Ankaragucu are sitting at the bottom of the Super Lig. 

Despite both sides having faced the darkest years in their clubs historys, the one thing that has remained the same, is the loyal support of the fanbase. Both Ankaragucu and Kocaelispor have spent time in the 3rd Tier of Amateur leagues and still had 20,000-30,000 fans at their matches. 

Its a real shame, that both have suffered from corruption and poor management in the past which has saw both clubs suffer financially. If run properly, with the loyal fanbase that both clubs boast, there is so much potential at both clubs, similar to the likes of Sakaryaspor, Eskisehirspor, Samsunspor, Adana Demirspor and a few other lower league clubs. 

Three former Ankaragucu players Aydin Karabulut, Bayram Olgun and Muhammad Gonulacar ply their trade with Kocaelispor and will be hoping to get one over their former club. Muhammad Gonulacar in particular is a player i always admired when he played with Ankaragucu. 

Kocaelispor have had a good start to their season in Lig 2 sitting 5th in the league and have some good players in their squad such as Bahattin Kose, Murat Akpinar and Dilivar Guclu and they will be coming to Ankara looking to cause an upset. 

Ankaragucu have had a poor record of late in the Turkish Cup and have suffered upsets to lower league clubs in the last few years.

The last time the two sides met Ankaragucu ran out 4-0 winners in 2009 thanks to goals from Jaba (2), Ismael Bouzid, and Leonardo Iglesias.

Ankaragucu suffered another defeat on Saturday at Galatasaray but will take some comfort from their overall performance. The one area of the team that needs to find form is the attacking players. Tomorrow night is an opportunity for those players to find their shooting boots and start delivering otherwise the club are in danger of being knocked out the Cup and falling further behind in the relegation battle with Fatih Karagumruk coming up at the weekend. 

Their might be opportunities for the likes of Orkan Cinar and Berke Gurbruz to come into the team while Alper will be back available after suspension. The players who are self isolating are all likely still to miss out but should be available for the weekends match. 

Galatasaray 1-0 Ankaragücü match report!

 Ankaragücü put up a spirited performance in Istanbul despite missing 9 players through Suspension and COVID-19. But it was again the inefficiency from the forward players who wasted too many chances and the final ball still not good enough.

Team - Freidrich, Sarlija, Pazdan, Erdi, Turan, Atakan, Assane, Emre, Saba, Bolingi, Borven 

Subs - Furkan Beklevic, Mert Topuz, Idriz Voca, Daniel Lukasik, Mucahit Akcay, Berke Gurbuz, Orkan Cinar, Luka Adzic

There was a starting debut for Atakan Cankaya who was the best player on the park for Ankaragücü and put in an excellent performance. 

Ankaragücü has the first chance of the game on the 19th minute after excellent play by Assane and Saba but Assane got his shot all wrong as he sliced it wide when he should have at least hit the target from inside the box.

Three minutes later Omer Bayram had the first chance for Galatasaray as his free kick hit the side netting from 25 yards.

Saba had an effort from distance saved by Okan after good play from Emre Gural and at this point Ankaragücü were playing well and causing Galatasaray a few problems on the counter attack.

Then just before half time an excellent move from Galatasaray down the left hand side caught out Sarlija and Saracchi crossed for Babel who finished brilliantly into top corner giving Freidrich no chance.

Half Time 1-0

Ankaragücü should have equalised on the 56th minute when Bolingi had a great opportunity, but he somehow miss hit his effort and the ball went wide with only Okan to beat. It was an awful night for Bolingi who was constantly off side, giving the ball away and wasting any opportunities that came his way.

Sofian Feghouli had a chance to make it two for Galatasaray late on but for a great block by Atakan Cankaya.

There would be no equaliser and Galatasaray held on for the 3 points. Considering Ankaragücü had so many first team players missing it’s difficult to be critical of the players. But questions will again be asked of the players signed in the summer.

Bolingi and Saba were wasteful with their end product, Borven had a couple of opportunities which he failed to even get a shot on goal, and Adzic again was wasteful with his passing and decision making when he came on. Daniel Lukasik couldn’t even get minutes on the pitch despite so many players out.

Next up is the home Cup match against Kocaelispor on Tuesday followed with Fatih Karagumruk next Sunday which will be even more difficult than the Galatasaray match. The team must win against Kocaeli on Tuesday night and build some winning confidence ahead of the must win match on Sunday.