Greetings Kankas
and Kankies.
At times,
Gencler never cease to amaze, and last night was a classic example of how they
can turn things around when you least expect it !
In the
relegation zone and playing away against the team challenging Samsun for top spot
in the league, and only a foolish man would have bet on a Gencler victory. However, Gencler fully deserved to take
all 3 points after making it quite clear from the outset that they intended to
attack and were not there to make up the numbers !
Eyup on the
other hand did little to impress and I have to say that their lofty league
position flatters them. In fact, they
now find themselves under pressure for that 2nd top spot from
Sakarya, Rize and Pendik who all ‘smell blood’
!!
Eyupspor 0
GENCLERBIRLIGI 2
Team – Philipp,
Yasin, Thomas, Alperen, Muhammed, Abdullah, Khadfi, Erkan, Enes, Mete Kaan and
Souleymane
Substitutes –
Jaime, Tiago, Ivan, Hayrullah and Emmanuel
Gencler received
the reward for their attacking play in the 12th minute when Yasin
broke with the attackers and received the ball just inside the box on the
left. He struck the ball first time
sending in what was obviously a cross to the back post, but the ball flew over
the goalkeeper’s head and into the top right corner. Unintentional it may have been, but a goal
is a goal !!!
Gencler almost
made it 2 approaching half time when a shot was made just outside the box but
the ball hit the post and was cleared.
Gencler went in
1-0 at half time looking the more purposeful team and fully justified their
lead with Eyup having zero shots on target.
In fact, I have to be honest and say that it was Gencler who looked like
the team in 2nd top position in the league and certainly not a team
in the relegation zone !!
The 2nd
half was only 5 minutes old when Gencler increased their lead when the Eyup
defenders went to sleep. A goal kick
from Philipp was sent to inside the Eyup half and was latched onto by Mete Kaan
who left 3 defenders in his wake before surging into the box and giving the
goalkeeper no chance with a well directed shot.
10 minutes later
Eyup had two great chances to score within 2 minutes of each other but both
were skied over when it looked easier to ground the ball and score.
Then with about
20 minutes to go till the final whistle, and it looked like the 3rd
Gencler goal. The Eyup goalkeeper was
out of his area in the centre circle to head the ball clear from a Gencler
breakaway, but misdirected his header straight to Tiago who raced off towards
the goal with defenders unable to catch him. He then stroked the ball into the net,
but the goal was ruled out when VAR was used to inform the referee that Tiago
had used his arm to control the ball at the outset of the move.
Eyup was unable
to trouble Philipp as the match played out and Gencler quite rightly celebrated
in front of the small group of travelling supporters.
Gencler now have
6 matches left (2 of which are against teams in the relegation zone) to perform
another magical escape from the
relegation zone and if they can replicate last night’s performance, it is
game-on !!
They will have
the perfect opportunity on Monday 17 April at home against Altay, who are now
only 4 points ahead of Gencler, to show that last night’s result was not a ‘one
off’ !!
As always, watch
this space for the outcome.
All the best
from Eski Kanka Jim
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