Hibs beat Inverness on Saturday 2-0 to haul themselves back up the league. Goals from Steven Flether and a penalty from Chris Killen, both in the second half, saw Hibs finally beat Inverness for the first time in six matches. Hibs could easily have been behind in the first half but a tremendous double save from Zibi kept Hibs in the game. Hibs new manager John Collins had kept faith in his keeper after some costly errors and his faith was repaid in full.
Hibs never quite hit the level of performance they reached against Hearts last Wednesday but the important thing was that they managed to pick up the three points. The other SPL scores were as follows:
St Mirren 1-3 Celtic
Rangers 2-0 Dunfermline
Dundee Utd 1-0 Kilmarnock
Aberdeen 2-1 Motherwell
Falkirk v Hearts (Tonight)
Celtic might be 15 points clear of the pack but the fight for second place is making the league a bit more interesting than normal. Only three points seperate six teams. Second place will get a Champions League qualifier so there is plenty to play for.
Hibbee Kanka
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Monday, November 13, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Are we violent?
Ankaragucu 2 - Rizespor 0
Erciyes 0 - Genclerbirligi 2
Up at the crack of dawn this morning in order to get to the Chopin at the extremely uncivilised time of 11 am to find Trainspotting Kanka drinking his coffee and chatting away to Carl and Rana, a producer and researcher for a UK television company.
They were in town to do some background work for a show they are putting together all about Turkish football fans. It appears that their main interest is in the more violent side of football fans.
Poor guys, sure, Turkish football supporters have got a terrible reputation, thanks in large part to the English tabloids, but I've hardly seen a violent incident in years of going to Gencler and Ankaragucu games. In other words I reckon they will have a difficult time making their documentary.
Anyway, speaking of peaceful people Maniac Kanka Harun joined us, as did Dirk, Lulu and Lulu's boyfriend. Lulu has only been in Ankara for a month or so and while she was unable to come along to the match itself I'm sure she will joing us soon.
Two other long lost souls from the wilds of Bilkent also showed up, Battle-hardened Kanka Damon and Mountaineering Kanka Robbie.
All up a decent turn-out, Sir Eski Kanka was sufferring at work, poor bugger.
Off to the stadium nice and early and the crowd was quite a decent one. Bugger all Rizespor supporters of course but Maraton was pretty much full, both sides of kapali were pretty much full and the gecekondu crowd wasn't too bad either.
And were they up for it? You bet. Five wins on the trot for Ankaragucu had the fans in full voice. The atmosphere today was brilliant. Shame no one told the players.
Let's just say that despite Rize not being very good and Ankaragucu dominating it wasn't until the 24th minute before Ankaragucu had a shot on goal.
Oh I did forget that a few minutes before that Rize almost scored from a free kick which went onto Ankaragucu's forward Mustafa Ozkan who was denied an own goal by the post.
Another close shave came when the Gucu defence allowed a bald bloke from Rize a free header. Nonsense stuff.
0-0 half time and tensions were rising. Including on the terraces where for some reason a group of the Anti-X supporters started shouting stuff at a group of Genc Ankaragucu supporters. No idea what started off the handbags but the cops were having none of it. Fully tooled riot police were ordered in and although nothing happened, the atmosphere was definately tense. Perhaps that TV company are onto something.
Second half and both sides had chances. The difference was that Ankaragucu, and Tita in particular, seemed more intent on fancy passes around the box instead of actually having a shot.
Again the bald bloke from Rize was left unmarked twice were he could have scored with that shiny pate and then he really stuffed up when he was one-on-one with Serkan (who actually had a very good game).
And so it was against the run of play when Bebbe scored for Ankaragucu with a header off a corner.
A few minutes later and Ankaragucu sealed it after a lovely move down the wing which led to Ceyhun sending the ball to Bebbe who whacked it into the back of the net.
Us happy campers then went off to the Cappadocia bar to warm up.
It was here that we learnt of the other great result today. Erciyesspor 0, Genclerbirligi 2.
It was an away match and thus I have to rely on the Anatolian news agency who report that neither goal was scored by Isaac Promise. In fact, Isaac was replaced in the 74th minute and in their star report Anatolia gave Isaac one star out of a possible three (being chosen in the first 11 is enough to earn that one star).
But perhaps I'm being too tough on the young bloke because I doubt there was much need for attack considering that Engin Baytar and Okan Ozturk had both scored within 5 minutes of the match starting.
All up a great weekend which pulls both Gencler and Ankaragucu further away from the drop zone and closer towards a UEFA place. Let's keep dreaming.
Erciyes 0 - Genclerbirligi 2
Up at the crack of dawn this morning in order to get to the Chopin at the extremely uncivilised time of 11 am to find Trainspotting Kanka drinking his coffee and chatting away to Carl and Rana, a producer and researcher for a UK television company.
They were in town to do some background work for a show they are putting together all about Turkish football fans. It appears that their main interest is in the more violent side of football fans.
Poor guys, sure, Turkish football supporters have got a terrible reputation, thanks in large part to the English tabloids, but I've hardly seen a violent incident in years of going to Gencler and Ankaragucu games. In other words I reckon they will have a difficult time making their documentary.
Anyway, speaking of peaceful people Maniac Kanka Harun joined us, as did Dirk, Lulu and Lulu's boyfriend. Lulu has only been in Ankara for a month or so and while she was unable to come along to the match itself I'm sure she will joing us soon.
Two other long lost souls from the wilds of Bilkent also showed up, Battle-hardened Kanka Damon and Mountaineering Kanka Robbie.
All up a decent turn-out, Sir Eski Kanka was sufferring at work, poor bugger.
Off to the stadium nice and early and the crowd was quite a decent one. Bugger all Rizespor supporters of course but Maraton was pretty much full, both sides of kapali were pretty much full and the gecekondu crowd wasn't too bad either.
And were they up for it? You bet. Five wins on the trot for Ankaragucu had the fans in full voice. The atmosphere today was brilliant. Shame no one told the players.
Let's just say that despite Rize not being very good and Ankaragucu dominating it wasn't until the 24th minute before Ankaragucu had a shot on goal.
Oh I did forget that a few minutes before that Rize almost scored from a free kick which went onto Ankaragucu's forward Mustafa Ozkan who was denied an own goal by the post.
Another close shave came when the Gucu defence allowed a bald bloke from Rize a free header. Nonsense stuff.
0-0 half time and tensions were rising. Including on the terraces where for some reason a group of the Anti-X supporters started shouting stuff at a group of Genc Ankaragucu supporters. No idea what started off the handbags but the cops were having none of it. Fully tooled riot police were ordered in and although nothing happened, the atmosphere was definately tense. Perhaps that TV company are onto something.
Second half and both sides had chances. The difference was that Ankaragucu, and Tita in particular, seemed more intent on fancy passes around the box instead of actually having a shot.
Again the bald bloke from Rize was left unmarked twice were he could have scored with that shiny pate and then he really stuffed up when he was one-on-one with Serkan (who actually had a very good game).
And so it was against the run of play when Bebbe scored for Ankaragucu with a header off a corner.
A few minutes later and Ankaragucu sealed it after a lovely move down the wing which led to Ceyhun sending the ball to Bebbe who whacked it into the back of the net.
Us happy campers then went off to the Cappadocia bar to warm up.
It was here that we learnt of the other great result today. Erciyesspor 0, Genclerbirligi 2.
It was an away match and thus I have to rely on the Anatolian news agency who report that neither goal was scored by Isaac Promise. In fact, Isaac was replaced in the 74th minute and in their star report Anatolia gave Isaac one star out of a possible three (being chosen in the first 11 is enough to earn that one star).
But perhaps I'm being too tough on the young bloke because I doubt there was much need for attack considering that Engin Baytar and Okan Ozturk had both scored within 5 minutes of the match starting.
All up a great weekend which pulls both Gencler and Ankaragucu further away from the drop zone and closer towards a UEFA place. Let's keep dreaming.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The round ball in Ankaragucu Show Hibs the Way
Hibs followed Ankaragucu's example tonight and beat Hearts in the League cup quarter final by one goal to nil. The game was very one sided as Hibs corner count of 14 to 2 proves however with only one goal to show for their efforts the nerves were showing towards the end.
Hibs goal came from one of their corners, the ball fell at Rob Jones feet and he lashed it into the net. That goal came after about half an hour and was the least Hibs deserved. I do not know where Hearts usual fight was, maybe playing Hartley wide right instead of through the centre took the edge of their game. In any case Thomson, Brown, Beuzalin and Zemama had complete control and a bit more luck would surley have provided some goals.
It is a refreshing look to the semi final draw this year with no Rangers or Celtic in sight. The other quarter finals were as follows:
Rangers 0-2 St Johnstone
Celtic 1-1 Falkirk (Falkirk won on pens)
Killie 3-2 Motherwell
The semi finals are not till next March I think, plenty time to mull over the possible scenarios.
C'Mon the Hibs
Hibs goal came from one of their corners, the ball fell at Rob Jones feet and he lashed it into the net. That goal came after about half an hour and was the least Hibs deserved. I do not know where Hearts usual fight was, maybe playing Hartley wide right instead of through the centre took the edge of their game. In any case Thomson, Brown, Beuzalin and Zemama had complete control and a bit more luck would surley have provided some goals.
It is a refreshing look to the semi final draw this year with no Rangers or Celtic in sight. The other quarter finals were as follows:
Rangers 0-2 St Johnstone
Celtic 1-1 Falkirk (Falkirk won on pens)
Killie 3-2 Motherwell
The semi finals are not till next March I think, plenty time to mull over the possible scenarios.
C'Mon the Hibs
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
ANKARAGUCU - GIMME FIVE !!!
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
I think we will have to go back (a long way ?) in time to discover the last time ANKARAGUCU won FIVE straight matches.
The Turkish Cup result today was.........
Genclerbirligi 0 ANKARAGUCU 1
Three league wins and two cup wins on the trot for ANKARAGUCU is pretty impressive, especially after their abysmal start to the season.
All the kankas were heads down at work today, with the exception of yours truly. So, I visited Maniac Kanka Harun in his Sports Shop...... advertisement time...
Esse Spor, Menekse Sokak, Balkanoglu Carsisi, No 7/32, Kizilay.
and tried to convince him that the cup match was more important than selling sports kit. That took all of 30 seconds and then we were off to Chopin for some `refreshments` !!
Arriving at the Stadium we forgot (olde age ??!!) that it was an away match for ANKARAGUCU and so we had to walk round to the other side but with only 15 minutes to KO time. We therefore decided to go to Kapali and stand with the Pegasus Group. That was an added bonus because I met Volkan (Leader) and lots of my old Pegasus friends from the good old days in Sahil.
The match kicked off with ANKARAGUCU again starting like an express train and they opened the scoring after only 5 minutes before we had time to catch our breath.
An attacking move down the left and a cross into Bebbe who did well to lose his marker. The goalkeeper committed himself but was left fumbling as Bebbe cut the ball back for the incoming Tita and he almost burst the net with his gift from Bebbe.
Jumping up and down and singing time and we were all in full voice.
ANKARAGUCU continued to press forward with the ocassional breakaway from Gencler, but in all honesty there should have been more goals from ANKARAGUCU. The fact that Ceyhun and Mustafa (the 2 top goalscorers) were being rested perhaps contributed to that situation.
Gencler started the 2nd half in more determined fashion but most of their efforts were long range. There was one scare for ANKARAGUCU though when Serkan came running off his line to punch a clearance but it went straight to a Gencler forward who drove it in for a sure fire goal. However, the ever reliable Sedat was on the line to head clear.
ANKARAGUCU's Murat had 2 clear cut chances to put the game beyond doubt but declined to score at the invitation of an open goal. He decided to blast the ball over the bar !!
The noise in the 2nd half was unbelieveable. I kid you not that the Gecikondu boys (and us in Pegasus) sang the same song about following ANKARAGUCU through wind, rain, snow and any other weather front for the whole of the 2nd half. You really had to be there to appreciate the passion of these supporters. I can't find the words to do them justice.
Oh...... sorry.... I forgot to mention the Gencler supporters who cheered their team when they came out for the 2nd half. Maniac Kanka and I counted the supporters but we disagreed on the number. He said 38, but I'm sure it was only 37 !!!!
The last 10 minutes of the match was all about ANKARAGUCU holding on to what they had and that really wasn't a problem for Serkan, Sedat, Emre, Dereli and Petrov. However, we did receive a few yellow cards for time wasting tactics.... tut tut tut !!!
It was off to the Cappadokia after the match for more amber nectar and some comisserations to the owner who supports Gencler. He was asking why Oz Kanka was absent ??!!!
ANKARAGUCU now lead the group stage with 6 points from 2 matches and are looking good to join either Gencler or Besiktas in the final stages. Incidentally, Buca of the 2nd Division beat Rize today to more or less eliminate Rize from further interest in the group.
Wednesday afternoon footie is not quite the same as weekend footie but there was a fair sized ANKARAGUCU crowd today to at least bring some atmosphere to the match.
Back to league footie at the weekend.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
I think we will have to go back (a long way ?) in time to discover the last time ANKARAGUCU won FIVE straight matches.
The Turkish Cup result today was.........
Genclerbirligi 0 ANKARAGUCU 1
Three league wins and two cup wins on the trot for ANKARAGUCU is pretty impressive, especially after their abysmal start to the season.
All the kankas were heads down at work today, with the exception of yours truly. So, I visited Maniac Kanka Harun in his Sports Shop...... advertisement time...
Esse Spor, Menekse Sokak, Balkanoglu Carsisi, No 7/32, Kizilay.
and tried to convince him that the cup match was more important than selling sports kit. That took all of 30 seconds and then we were off to Chopin for some `refreshments` !!
Arriving at the Stadium we forgot (olde age ??!!) that it was an away match for ANKARAGUCU and so we had to walk round to the other side but with only 15 minutes to KO time. We therefore decided to go to Kapali and stand with the Pegasus Group. That was an added bonus because I met Volkan (Leader) and lots of my old Pegasus friends from the good old days in Sahil.
The match kicked off with ANKARAGUCU again starting like an express train and they opened the scoring after only 5 minutes before we had time to catch our breath.
An attacking move down the left and a cross into Bebbe who did well to lose his marker. The goalkeeper committed himself but was left fumbling as Bebbe cut the ball back for the incoming Tita and he almost burst the net with his gift from Bebbe.
Jumping up and down and singing time and we were all in full voice.
ANKARAGUCU continued to press forward with the ocassional breakaway from Gencler, but in all honesty there should have been more goals from ANKARAGUCU. The fact that Ceyhun and Mustafa (the 2 top goalscorers) were being rested perhaps contributed to that situation.
Gencler started the 2nd half in more determined fashion but most of their efforts were long range. There was one scare for ANKARAGUCU though when Serkan came running off his line to punch a clearance but it went straight to a Gencler forward who drove it in for a sure fire goal. However, the ever reliable Sedat was on the line to head clear.
ANKARAGUCU's Murat had 2 clear cut chances to put the game beyond doubt but declined to score at the invitation of an open goal. He decided to blast the ball over the bar !!
The noise in the 2nd half was unbelieveable. I kid you not that the Gecikondu boys (and us in Pegasus) sang the same song about following ANKARAGUCU through wind, rain, snow and any other weather front for the whole of the 2nd half. You really had to be there to appreciate the passion of these supporters. I can't find the words to do them justice.
Oh...... sorry.... I forgot to mention the Gencler supporters who cheered their team when they came out for the 2nd half. Maniac Kanka and I counted the supporters but we disagreed on the number. He said 38, but I'm sure it was only 37 !!!!
The last 10 minutes of the match was all about ANKARAGUCU holding on to what they had and that really wasn't a problem for Serkan, Sedat, Emre, Dereli and Petrov. However, we did receive a few yellow cards for time wasting tactics.... tut tut tut !!!
It was off to the Cappadokia after the match for more amber nectar and some comisserations to the owner who supports Gencler. He was asking why Oz Kanka was absent ??!!!
ANKARAGUCU now lead the group stage with 6 points from 2 matches and are looking good to join either Gencler or Besiktas in the final stages. Incidentally, Buca of the 2nd Division beat Rize today to more or less eliminate Rize from further interest in the group.
Wednesday afternoon footie is not quite the same as weekend footie but there was a fair sized ANKARAGUCU crowd today to at least bring some atmosphere to the match.
Back to league footie at the weekend.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
ANKARAGUCU SUPPORTERS - PRAISE INDEED
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
It is not often that we hear about ANKARAGUCU supporters receiving praise for any quarter, particularly from the Press.
Therefore, it is with pleasure that I read a report in The Hurriyet this morning written by Mehmet Buyukborekci on the subject of a meeting held in Ankara on 4 November to support the Turkish Republic and against those people who want to introduce and promote religion into politics.
There were lots of different groups in attendance, eg, civil servants, private business, etc., and........ a group of ANKARAGUCU supporters.
Mr Buyukborekci went on to praise the ANKARAGUCU supporters for their support and also posed the question..... where were the supporter groups from the other Ankara teams, and the Istanbul `Big 3`.
I'm not sure which ANKARAGUCU supporter group it was. However, whoever they were ..... a big WELL DONE from me on behalf of us all at The Round Ball in Ankara.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
It is not often that we hear about ANKARAGUCU supporters receiving praise for any quarter, particularly from the Press.
Therefore, it is with pleasure that I read a report in The Hurriyet this morning written by Mehmet Buyukborekci on the subject of a meeting held in Ankara on 4 November to support the Turkish Republic and against those people who want to introduce and promote religion into politics.
There were lots of different groups in attendance, eg, civil servants, private business, etc., and........ a group of ANKARAGUCU supporters.
Mr Buyukborekci went on to praise the ANKARAGUCU supporters for their support and also posed the question..... where were the supporter groups from the other Ankara teams, and the Istanbul `Big 3`.
I'm not sure which ANKARAGUCU supporter group it was. However, whoever they were ..... a big WELL DONE from me on behalf of us all at The Round Ball in Ankara.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Is Bakkal too agressive?
I'm not sure if this is all a beat up by the media but Hurriyet's Ankara section today ran a story with the headline "Bestepe'de Bakkal Krizi" or "Coach Bakkal Crisis at Bestepe (the Gencler training facilities)".
Apparently the other day after the 0-1 loss away to Galatasaray our chairman Ilhan Cavcav said something like "You are shouting too much at the players. You are very aggressive. You may destroy the confidence of our young players. Be more careful".
The paper goes on to say there has been a significant cooling of relations between Cavcav and Bakkal.
Cavcav has since gone on the record saying that he won't be sacking Bakkal and that he can stay at the club as long as he likes. I'm not really sure what is going on.
But I was wondering if Bakkal has been taken a leaf out of the book written by former Leyton Orient manager John Sitton. Have a look at this video of Sitton's attempts to gee up his players at half time. (warning lots of swearing).
Apparently the other day after the 0-1 loss away to Galatasaray our chairman Ilhan Cavcav said something like "You are shouting too much at the players. You are very aggressive. You may destroy the confidence of our young players. Be more careful".
The paper goes on to say there has been a significant cooling of relations between Cavcav and Bakkal.
Cavcav has since gone on the record saying that he won't be sacking Bakkal and that he can stay at the club as long as he likes. I'm not really sure what is going on.
But I was wondering if Bakkal has been taken a leaf out of the book written by former Leyton Orient manager John Sitton. Have a look at this video of Sitton's attempts to gee up his players at half time. (warning lots of swearing).
HIBERNIAN LADIES - STILL ON SONG
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
Ladies footie returns to the blog with a latest update on the super girls of the Hibernian Ladies team.
The ladies are obviously determined to retain their Premier League title after their two recent wins. Last week they thrashed Lochee United 7-0, and this week they kept another clean sheet by beating Forfar 3-0.
Kim Little was again the star of the show against Forfar, scoring 2 to take her tally to 17 for the season.
Well done ladies and good luck in the League Cup later this month.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Ladies footie returns to the blog with a latest update on the super girls of the Hibernian Ladies team.
The ladies are obviously determined to retain their Premier League title after their two recent wins. Last week they thrashed Lochee United 7-0, and this week they kept another clean sheet by beating Forfar 3-0.
Kim Little was again the star of the show against Forfar, scoring 2 to take her tally to 17 for the season.
Well done ladies and good luck in the League Cup later this month.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
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