Monday, February 19, 2024

ANKARAGUCU – DEFICIENCIES EXPOSED !!!

 



 

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

 

There was no doubting Ankaragucu’s efforts last night, but the gulf in class was obvious and Galatasaray’s fitness levels superior which meant that they won most of the 50-50 balls and dictated the pace of the match.

 

The match was effectively over at half time after the 1st half onslaught by Galatasaray   !

 

The pace of the match in the 2nd half gradually dropped as Galatasaray slowed the match down and were able to keep the lion’s share of possession in the latter stages to wind the clock down.   Unfortunately, Ankaragucu couldn’t take advantage with only one shot on target in the 2nd half which didn’t trouble Muslera !

 

Playing out from the back is normally a sensible tactic to build attacks, but Ankaragucu was continually caught out by the speed of the Galatasaray players closing them down and the ball having to be returned to Bahadir   !!!       The subsequent long ball clearances were swallowed up by the Galatasaray defenders for the most part.     Frustration all round for Ankaragucu’s attacking aspirations   !!

 

ANKARAGUCU              0                       Galatasaray                 3

 

Team – Bahadir, Kitsiou, Radakovic, Mujakic, Kazimcan, Ali Kaan, Pedrinho, Efkan, Renaldo, Ali Sowe and Riccardo

 

Substitutes – Tolga, Mert, Tasos, Morutan and Bassogog

 

There was only one moment in the 1st half when the home support were on their feet celebrating and that was in the 10th minute when Ali Sowe scored what everyone thought was a great goal.     However, sadly it was correctly ruled out for offside   !

 

Thereafter it was all one way traffic towards Bahadir   !

 

2 minutes later, and from a corner on the left, the ball was sent to the back post for Demirbay to head in off the underside of the bar.

 

One minute later and it was 2.      Some fast inter-passing from outside the box and surging into the box, and from a cut-back on the right, Sanchez scored inside the left post.

 

On the half hour mark and it was Bahadir to the rescue with a great save as the ball was heading inside the right post.       From the resulting corner he made a point blank save from a header inside the 6 yard box.

 

Approaching half time and from an Ankaragucu mistake in the Galatasaray half of the field, the fast break was on as the Ankaragucu defence was caught out.     The shot was on, but before connecting, Kazimcan brought down the attacker and the referee pointed to the spot.     Icardi made it look easy with a ferocious shot down the centre.

 

It was mostly one way traffic again in the 2nd half although it was apparent that Galatasaray had gradually slowed the pace of the match down as the 2nd half unfolded.

 

Bahadir was the busiest player and he was mostly responsible for halting the addition of further goals.

 

In the 65th minute he made a great save from a shot on the right heading inside the left post.

 

One minute later Icardi scored but it was disallowed due to Kitsiou being fouled in the build-up.

 

10 minutes later, and from a long range Galatasaray shot, the ball hit the bar.   The rebound was then saved by Bahadir.

 

Almost on the final whistle and Zaha almost made it 4 when he beat 3 Ankaragucu defenders in the box, but his final goal bound shot was deflected by Mert for a corner.

 

Ankaragucu is now involved in a dog fight to avoid relegation.     With Istanbulspor looking already doomed, there are only 7 points separating the whole of the bottom half of the league, so it goes without saying, that every point from now until the end of the season is crucial.

 

Starting next Saturday in Kayseri when Ankaragucu have a ‘6 Pointer’ against a team on the same points score as Ankaragucu.      Dare I say ...........a MUST win match   ??!!

 

As always, watch this space for the outcome.

 

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

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