ANKARAGUCU SETTLE FOR A SHARE OF THE SPOILS !!

 

 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

Today’s match ended all square, but Ankaragucu should have gone in at half time in the lead after all the pressure and chances they had after they had settled into the match.

 

Also, Ankaragucu’s old failing of misdirected passes reared its ugly head again today to halt the flow of potential attacks.

 

Ankaragucu entered the field of play in their new all yellow tops with BELKA emblazoned on the front.   I believe that Ankara Baskan, Mansoor Yavas, is responsible for it.    If I’m wrong then please advise me  !!

Genclerbirligi        1                 ANKARAGUCU          1

 

Team – Ricardo, Kitsiou, Sarliga, Erdi, Atila, Atakan, Endri, Ender, Pinto, Saba and Emre

 

Substitutes – Paintsil, Lukasik, Borven, Adzic and Cinar

 

As you would expect from an Ankara Derby, the match was played at a fast and furious pace with both teams intent on attack.     However, it took until the 20^th minute for the first serious attempt on goal when Polomat received a pass on the left just outside the box (he looked offside to me, but not given) and he sent in a goal bound shot which Ricardo pushed over the bar for a great save.

 

This spurred Ankaragucu into action and some neat football on the left by Ankaragucu when the ball was played into the path of Emre, but his goal bound shot was blocked for a corner.

 

Then on the half hour mark, another good move by Ankaragucu and the ball was played to Saba on the right just outside the box, but he was caught in two minds dithering and the chance was gone when he was dispossessed.

 

2 minutes later and Ankaragucu almost opened the scoring when Emre was put through and side footed the  ball to Saba, but his shot hit the post and went out of play.    A late flag indicated, quite rightly, that Emre was offside when he received the pass.

 

It was all Ankaragucu at this stage and 2 minutes later another great chance went begging when after some good work from Saba, he cut the ball back for Emre in the centre, but his shot was well saved by Nordfeldt and out for a corner.

 

2 more chances were spurned by Ankaragucu in a crowded penalty box with Gencler defenders hoofing the ball away to safety.    From the 2^nd clearance, the breakaway was on and when the shot came in Ricardo made a great save to spare the Ankaragucu blushes.

 

10 minutes into the 2^nd half and Gencler inflicted the sucker punch  !!    From a Gencler attack on the left, Yildirim went past 3 challenges and passed the ball to the centre where Berat was first to the ball to slide it in.

 

Ankaragucu kept plugging away and Endri had a chance a few minutes later but his shot from the edge of the box on the left was past the left post.

 

Half way through the 2^nd half and some great footwork from Lukasik on the left when he beat two challenges and crossed for Borven in the centre, but his header was well over the bar.

 

Then in the 73^rd minute came the equaliser and what a classic goal it was too.    Great running off the ball by Saba and the through ball from Emre.     Saba controlled the ball and swept in a great shot with Nordfeldt helpless.

 

Ankaragucu searched for the winner and Saringa almost beat Nordfeldt with a header from a corner on the left.

 

Some late drama in the 94^th minute when Altiparmak tripped Pinto from behind and stuck his boot in Pinto’s ankle.    The referee immediately produced the yellow card, but before play could restart, he was directed to the VAR after a message in his earpiece.    He returned and produced the red card   !!

 

There was still time for Lukasik to snatch the winner in the 95^th minute, but his shot was saved and cleared.

 

So, Ankaragucu will no doubt regret all their missed chances, especially those in the 1^st half.    I mentioned their careless passing, which according to the TFF website had 69% accuracy, but I think that figure is rather generous   !!       Also, they will not be pleased to have had 21 shots at goal with only 1 goal to show for it  !!

 

As I write this, fellow strugglers at the bottom of the league, Denizli, are leading 1-0 against top of the league Alanya at half time.   I will post the final score in the comments section later.

 

Next up for Ankaragucu is a home match against Beshiktrash on Thursday KO 7pm.      Before that one, Gencler travel to Sivas same day with a 4pm KO.

 

Everything to play for against Beshiktrash who sit in 8^th position in the league having lost 4 matches so far.

 

Bring it on, and watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim