Greetings Kankas
and Kankies.
After last week’s
capitulation in the ‘mini’ Ankara Derby, Gencler is back on track to challenge
for a play-off place after seeing-off Erzurum yesterday.
With only 3
matches left, it is now in their own hands, but they must first face 2nd
top of the league Goztepe next Sunday in what will surely be the match which
defined their prospects of achieving it.
Despite Erzurum
having the lion’s share of possession yesterday, they failed to take their
numerous chances, especially in the 1st half, and therefore paid the
ultimate price.
On the other
hand, Gencler took their chances and scored 2 goals which was really no more
than they deserved after their persistence.
There can be no doubting their determination to make the play-offs, and
had it not been for a dip in their early season form, they would probably have
clinched it at this stage in the season.
GENCLERBIRLIGI 2 Erzurumspor 0
Team – Ertugrul,
Nzaba, Yigit, Babacan, Yasin, Oguzhan, Amilton, James, Akabueze, Ensar and
Melih
Substitutes –
Musa, M. Yatabare, Ozgur and Baran
It was Erzurum
who looked the likelier of the two teams in the 1st half and Gencler
had Ertugrul to thank for restricting their attacks. In the first 20 minutes of the match he
saved two fierce long-range goal bound shots.
It took Gencler
until 5 minutes before half time to trouble Erzurum when a long-range shot was
parried by the goalkeeper and the follow-up shot was cleared by a defender on
the line.
Erzurum almost
opened the scoring a few minutes later when a goal bound shot was well saved by
Ertugrul for a corner.
Then, almost on
the half time whistle, and against the run of play, Gencler snatched the
opener. A long range goal bound shot
by Ensar was parried by the goalkeeper and Melih (the predator !!) was first to the ball to head in unchallenged.
Erzurum almost
found the equaliser just after the resumption when a shot hit the post and
rebounded to an Erzurum attacker who blasted the ball over with the goal at his
mercy !
Erzurum
continued to search for the equaliser but the Gencler defence was resolute in
thwarting their efforts in the final 3rd. Consequently, they gradually resorted to
long range efforts.
Then, with 20
minutes to go, Gencler pulled the trigger.
A fast break on the left and the ball played to Akabueze in the centre,
and from the edge of the box he sent his shot inside the left post.
5 minutes to go
and Amilton almost made it 3 but his shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.
So, as I said
earlier, Gencler face the acid test next Sunday when the travel to take-on an
in-form Goztepe team who are only 6 points behind top of the league
Eyupspor. Both teams will be anxious
to claim all 3 points so a close encounter is guaranteed.
As always, watch
this space for the outcome.
All the best
from Eski Kanka Jim
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