Saturday, November 05, 2022

ANKARAGUCU RESCUE A POINT FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT !!

 



 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

However, have said that in the headline, Ankaragucu should have put the match to bed even before the half time whistle.    Unlike last week against Hatay, they scorned lots of chances with the normally prolific Giorgi the main culprit.  

 

Ankaragucu will rue the loss of 2 points, but towards the end of the match with defeat staring them in the face, they snatched a point which, to be honest, didn’t look likely as the match approached the final stages.

 

So, Ankaragucu remain just above the relegation zone, but there is still a long way to go for this team to find mid-table security.   Coach, Omer Erdogan, has Ankaragucu attempting to play football even when they went behind last night.    Sometimes their one-touch passing was sublime, but they must convert this into goals and be more clinical in the final third.    60% possession for Ankaragucu last night only produced 2 shots on target   !!

 

The kankas met-up in The Bira Park Bar full of confidence – Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Maniac Kanka Harun, Gorgeous Kankie Hazal, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Horseman Kanka Osman, Kemal Kanka and yours truly.

 

Kasimpasa               1                         ANKARAGUCU              1

 

It came as no surprise that Ankaragucu started with a similar formation to last week –

 

Gokhan, Yasin, Nihad, Uros, Kevin, Tolga, Taylan, Jese, Pedrinho, Giorgi and Ali Sowe

 

Substitutes – Pepe, Tasos, Emre and Bahadir

 

The first chance of the match fell to Ankaragucu when Ali produced some great footwork and passed to Giorgi in a good position, but he scuffed his shot past the post.

 

A few minutes later and Kasimpasa had a penalty claim rightly turned down.    The referee consulted VAR and waved the claim away.    It was a great piece of acting by the player conveniently named ........... FALL ............ who made a classic dive   !!

 

Just before half time and again it was Ali who made space for himself in the box by evading 3 defenders and passed to Giorgi who blasted his shot well over the bar.

 

3 minutes into the 2nd half and we were all up and cheering what we thought was a great goal when Ali received a pass from the right, powered forward and slotted in.    However, the referee consulted VAR again and ruled the goal out for offside in the build-up.

 

10 minutes later and Kasimpasa went ahead against the run of play.    There was calamity in the Ankaragucu defence from a cross ball into the box which Gokhan could only parry.    It was sent into the danger area again and Gokhan in attempting to fist the ball away was challenged by Koita who knocked Gokhan to the ground, collected the loose ball, and slid the ball in.     A blatant foul against Gokhan who had both feet off the ground in the 6 yard box when challenged by Koita.     However, the referee consulted VAR and unbelievably gave the goal   !       A disgraceful decision and one which I hope Ankaragucu will appeal to the TFF, not that it will change anything   !!!

 

10 minutes later and it was almost 2 when the dangerous Ahmet Engin send over a great pinpoint cross to an attacker, but his header was well saved by Gokhan.   5 minutes later and Gokhan to the rescue again with a point blank save following a corner.

 

At the other end, Uros and Tolga both wasted chances as the match was winding down.

 

However, with only 5 minutes to go, Ankaragucu found the deserved equaliser that their play merited.     It was substitute Tasos who found space at the far post from a right wing cross to nick the ball away from a defender and tap in   !!

 

Into time added on and Ankaragucu almost found the winner.    First Pedrinho had a long range shot whiz just past the post, and then Tasos had 2 efforts which went just past the post.

 

It was a relief to have at least taken one point, but as I said before, it really should have been all 3 points.     Dare I say ............ we must be thankful for small mercies   ??!!!

 

Onwards to our next match before the World Cup break and it is another tough one.      Aren’t they all I ask   ??!!

 

It is another Friday night match at home to last season’s champions, Trabzonspor, who are currently sitting in 6th top position in the league.

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

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