Greetings Kankas
and Kankies.
Just for a
change, I’ll start at the end !!!
In the Coach,
Omer Bey’s, post-match interview he stressed two points that were significant
to winning last night’s match. Firstly, Ankaragucu’s passing statistics
are the best in the League before a team scores. Secondly, he highlighted the contribution
of Ali Sowe to the team for his work rate and playing his part in defence,
midfield and attack. He stressed that
he was a very important player for Ankaragucu.
Well made points
by our Coach who has certainly improved the team’s overall performances since
his arrival. I anticipate more
success for Omer Bey and this team as long as he is given the wherewithal to
prepare the team for even greater performances next season !
Also, Yasin, in
his post-match interview said that during their 3 weeks ‘World Cup’ Training
Camp in Antalya they had worked very hard on fitness and tactics and, as was
apparent last night, it played out to perfection in the 2nd half.
From my own
perspective, Ankaragucu deservedly brought all 3 points back to Ankara, but
they were fortunate to go in at half time all square after some defensive aberrations
in the 1st half which Antalya didn’t punish.
Antalyaspor 0 ANKARAGUCU 2
Team – Bahadir,
Yasin, Mujakic, Radakovic, Kevin, Tolga, Taylan, Emre, Pedrinho, Giorgi and Ali
Sowe
Substitutes –
Jese, Diack, Tasos and Zahid
As I just said,
the 1st half was a big disappointment with Ankaragucu having zero shots
on target despite having an equal share of the possession.
Between them,
Bahadir and Yasin cleared what looked like being the opening goal in the 17th
minute.
Half an hour
gone in the 1st half and the Ankaragucu defence was living
dangerously and giving possession away too easily.
Approaching half
time and another mistake by the defence gifted the ball to an Antalya attacker
whose goal bound shot was saved by Bahadir.
Into time added
on in the 1st half and the woodwork came to Ankaragucu’s rescue from
a free kick just outside the box.
The half time
team talk by Omer Bey obviously had the desired effect !!!
10 minutes into
the 2nd half and Yasin almost opened the scoring when he headed just
wide on the left from a corner on the right.
However, the
goal finally arrived in the 63rd minute after some great play by our
Man of the Match, Kevin, on the right.
He crossed into the crowded box and Jese was first to react and his
fierce shot gave the goalkeeper no chance.
Kevin was
causing havoc down the right and a 2nd goal almost arrived 10
minutes later but the shot on goal was cleared.
5 minutes to go
and Wright almost gave Antalya the equaliser, but his shot was wide of the left
post.
Then, with almost
the last kick of the match in the 10 minute of time added on, Ankaragucu caught
the Antalya defence out of position with a long pass from the half way line to
Ali Sowe who had ran into open space.
He surged forward and as he was entering the box, one on one with the
goalkeeper, stroked the ball inside the right post for a clinical striker’s goal.
So, an important
win for Ankaragucu which propels them out of the bottom 4 and into 11th
position in the league. This will
surely give them added confidence for the visit of bottom club Umraniye on
Tuesday night.
Bring it on !!!
As always, watch
this space for the outcome.
All the best
from Eski Kanka Jim
💙💛
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