Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
After the euphoria of winning away to Trabzon two weeks ago, ANKARAGUCU came crashing back down to earth with a reality shock last night in Ankara. After going ahead early in the second half, they finally `presented` the points to Galatasaray.
ANKARAGUCU 1 Galatasaray 2
Oz Kanka and I were in the Cappadokia Bar to watch the match live on TV and we were well satisfied with ANKARAGUCU’s first half performance. It was pretty much end to end stuff, but ANKARAGUCU were looking the more likely team to score, and they almost did when a looping shot from Dereli almost caught Mondragon out, but he scrambled back to tip the ball away for a corner as it was heading into the top left hand corner for a goal.
Serkan at the other end was never troubled, and in fact, it has to be said that Galatasaray looked `out of sorts` with Hakan Suker running around like a headless chicken.
Into the 2nd half and there was reason to be otimistic as ANKARAGUCU continued to attack and look the likelier team. The goal came when Galatasaray tried to engage their offside trap, but it went horribly wrong for them when Mustafa played on, despite the protests from the Galatasaray defenders, and sent Mondragon the wrong way for a well deserved opening goal.
However, a double substitution by Galatasaray was to prove the turning point when Hasan Sas and Necati came on for the ineffective Sukur and Cihan. Galatasaray were now a different team and it was as though they had received a `wake up call`.
ANKARAGUCU were now on the back-foot and having to defend desperately as Galatasaray came more and more into the game.
The equaliser soon arrived but it really should have been prevented. An outswinging cross came in from the left wing which should have been attacked by the defence. However, Serkan foolishly came out for it and only managed to `half` punch it clear direct to Necati who volleyed in with only a defender on the goal-line helpless to stop it.
I’m sure Hikmet Bey will be stressing to Serkan that he can attack inswinging crosses, but outswingers should always be left to defenders to deal with !!
Galatasaray had their tails up now and sensed victory. It came shortly after the equaliser, and yet again, was caused by another defensive blunder.
Hasan had the ball on the left touchline, and with Devran marking Necati running into the penalty box, there seemed no danger. However, Hasan beat the defender who was marking him and fired in a cross which went straight to the unmarked Necati to score an easy goal with Serkan helpless.
A `school boy` error from Devran `ball watching` instead of following and marking Necati, so perhaps Hikmet Bey will be having a `few choice words` with him in training sessions this week !!!
Some of the players started to become ill-tempered in the closing minutes, and inevitably it was Hasan Sas who was causing the problems. He and Sedat were throwing handbags at each other and eventually a pushing and shoving session occurred which brought the red card out for both players.
Erdal Keser, who was trying to defuse the situation, also received a red card. Obviously, the referee thought differently !!
One of these days Hasan Sas might stop being a moaning `cry baby` and grow up. Then again, perhaps it is too late for him to change the habits of a lifetime !!!
With all the yellow and red cards being waved around yesterday, it means that ANKARAGUCU will be without Emre and Sedat next week. Not a happy prospect with TWO of our best defenders suspended !
ANKARAGUCU is now only 5 points above 3rd bottom Denizli, and with 2 away games coming up in Konya and Erciyes respectively, they are still in a critical situation.
Good luck to Genclerbirligi tonight against Besiktas in their quest for UEFA Cup qualification. Oz Kanka will give his report on the match tomorrow.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Monday, April 02, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
What a difference a Referee Makes
A strange event happened a couple of weeks ago in Edinburgh, the day before Hibs won the cup (has that been mentioned?) the normal mayhem that is primary school football disappeared in a sea of calm.
The game was involving Mini Red Card Kanka's (Formally Mini Hibbee Kanka) primary school football team.
A new referee strode onto the pitch sporting the Ankaragucu colours in a trendy tracksuit and a baseball cap. The kids who are normally very excitable were talked through the game by a experienced official and there was hardly a word out of place. They even accepted fouls against them which is unheard of.
I wish Sir Eski Kanka could have bottled some of his referee skills as he will be sorely missed.
The game I am pleased to say finished 4-2 to Oxgangs primary school against their local rivals Pentland primary.
Oxgangs went two goals up during the first half but a late collapse saw the halftime score at 2-2. Oxgangs started the second half in a good manner and restored their two goal advantage. A few chances came and went before Sir Eski Kanka brought a very enjoyable game to an end.
Mini Red Card Kanka scored the goal of the game before running into some trouble from Sir Eski, pictures will follow at the end of the week.
Hibbee Kanka
The game was involving Mini Red Card Kanka's (Formally Mini Hibbee Kanka) primary school football team.
A new referee strode onto the pitch sporting the Ankaragucu colours in a trendy tracksuit and a baseball cap. The kids who are normally very excitable were talked through the game by a experienced official and there was hardly a word out of place. They even accepted fouls against them which is unheard of.
I wish Sir Eski Kanka could have bottled some of his referee skills as he will be sorely missed.
The game I am pleased to say finished 4-2 to Oxgangs primary school against their local rivals Pentland primary.
Oxgangs went two goals up during the first half but a late collapse saw the halftime score at 2-2. Oxgangs started the second half in a good manner and restored their two goal advantage. A few chances came and went before Sir Eski Kanka brought a very enjoyable game to an end.
Mini Red Card Kanka scored the goal of the game before running into some trouble from Sir Eski, pictures will follow at the end of the week.
Hibbee Kanka
Monday, March 26, 2007
HIBERNIAN - THE QUEST FOR SILVERWARE CONTINUES
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
The Scottish League Cup having been won by the men last Sunday in such fine style, it was the turn of the Hibernian Ladies to continue their quest for The Scottish Cup.
Having disposed of Hutchison Vale by 10-0 last weekend, they faced Arsenal North on Wednesday and won the match 6-1 to advance into the Quarter Finals.
Once again it was the prolific Kim Little who did the damage with the opener in the 1st half and a 2nd in the 2nd half to make the match secure for the team.
They next meet Raith Rovers Ladies in the Quarter Final to be played this coming weekend.
Watch this space for further news.
In the meantime, I suggest another trophy cabinet be installed at Easter Road Stadium to accommodate all the silverware which is expected this season !!!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
The Scottish League Cup having been won by the men last Sunday in such fine style, it was the turn of the Hibernian Ladies to continue their quest for The Scottish Cup.
Having disposed of Hutchison Vale by 10-0 last weekend, they faced Arsenal North on Wednesday and won the match 6-1 to advance into the Quarter Finals.
Once again it was the prolific Kim Little who did the damage with the opener in the 1st half and a 2nd in the 2nd half to make the match secure for the team.
They next meet Raith Rovers Ladies in the Quarter Final to be played this coming weekend.
Watch this space for further news.
In the meantime, I suggest another trophy cabinet be installed at Easter Road Stadium to accommodate all the silverware which is expected this season !!!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Saturday night TV drama
Drunk Oz Kanka here.
Just a few lines on a wonderful evening of sport. Spine and French Kanka Hande popped over tonight to plonk themselves in front of the television and suffer from nicotine withdrawal symptoms. They were also here to watch some sport on the telly.
I don't want to go into the details of Turkey smashing the Greeks 4-1 but all I will say is that is was great to see, well... sort of... I had actually already figured out in my head what I was going to write here on the blog if Turkey had lost.
Just a few lines on a wonderful evening of sport. Spine and French Kanka Hande popped over tonight to plonk themselves in front of the television and suffer from nicotine withdrawal symptoms. They were also here to watch some sport on the telly.
I don't want to go into the details of Turkey smashing the Greeks 4-1 but all I will say is that is was great to see, well... sort of... I had actually already figured out in my head what I was going to write here on the blog if Turkey had lost.
Unfortunately what I was going to say was extremely witty and very funny, but Turkey's performance put paid to that.
While I have nothing witty or funny to say I do want to impart to you all (all three of you) that I was extremely proud of Mrs. Oz Kanka this evening. As all of you know Mrs. Oz Kanka is a Turk and it thus impressed Spine especially, but also French Kanka Hande, that Mrs. Oz Kanka Elif kept on insisting that I change the channel every now and then to see how Australia were doing against the evil South Africans in the cricket World Cup.
Not only did she know who was winning from a quick look at the scores (for you non-cricket types, this is not an easy thing) but she was even referring to the Aussie players by their first names. The kudos I got frıom Spine for having taught my wife this was enormous. How many women in cricketing countries would be able to tell who was winning if they were told the South Africans needed 8.25 per over with 20 overs to spare and four wickets down???? Viking Kanka?
I'd forgotton of course that she had met quite a few of them a couple of years ago. Pictured below is Elif with a much younger-looking Glenn McGrath who last night took one for 62, not the best figures, but hey, it was a batsman's game.
NOTE: Elif is standing in a hole. Oh. I almost forgot, the Aussies dragged down, smashed in the face and then karate-chopped in the groin the South Africans to end up winners by 83 runs.
While I have nothing witty or funny to say I do want to impart to you all (all three of you) that I was extremely proud of Mrs. Oz Kanka this evening. As all of you know Mrs. Oz Kanka is a Turk and it thus impressed Spine especially, but also French Kanka Hande, that Mrs. Oz Kanka Elif kept on insisting that I change the channel every now and then to see how Australia were doing against the evil South Africans in the cricket World Cup.
Not only did she know who was winning from a quick look at the scores (for you non-cricket types, this is not an easy thing) but she was even referring to the Aussie players by their first names. The kudos I got frıom Spine for having taught my wife this was enormous. How many women in cricketing countries would be able to tell who was winning if they were told the South Africans needed 8.25 per over with 20 overs to spare and four wickets down???? Viking Kanka?
I'd forgotton of course that she had met quite a few of them a couple of years ago. Pictured below is Elif with a much younger-looking Glenn McGrath who last night took one for 62, not the best figures, but hey, it was a batsman's game.
NOTE: Elif is standing in a hole. Oh. I almost forgot, the Aussies dragged down, smashed in the face and then karate-chopped in the groin the South Africans to end up winners by 83 runs.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
An excuse for a very cheap joke
I was reading Hurriyet today and found out that Fenerbahce coach Zico has a website. Having little to do I checked it out and was particularly interested in the second story on the news page (at the moment it can be found here).
To save you the bother of going there, it is all propaganda anyway, let me reprint the first line to the story headed "Zico visits Fenerbahçe TV"
"Last Monday, I had the privilege to visit a project that is a dream of numerous rooters around the world," it reads, describing, yep, you guessed it, how he was interviewed by the team at Fenerbahce TV. I can only assume it wasn't the most vicious of interviews but it did get me thinking what "numerous rooters around the world" would actually be dreaming of.
He may be right, but I certain don't dream of Fenerbahce TV when I'm horizontally folk dancing.
To save you the bother of going there, it is all propaganda anyway, let me reprint the first line to the story headed "Zico visits Fenerbahçe TV"
"Last Monday, I had the privilege to visit a project that is a dream of numerous rooters around the world," it reads, describing, yep, you guessed it, how he was interviewed by the team at Fenerbahce TV. I can only assume it wasn't the most vicious of interviews but it did get me thinking what "numerous rooters around the world" would actually be dreaming of.
He may be right, but I certain don't dream of Fenerbahce TV when I'm horizontally folk dancing.
Monday, March 19, 2007
HIBERNIAN - SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP WINNERS 2007
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
Sunday dawned with sunshine over Leith and I was up to see it. The adrenalin was pumping and sleep was impossible.
There was a large contingent of Hibs supporters in our party. Paddy Kanka Paul, Hibbie Kanka Athole, Red Card Hooligan Kanka (previously known as Mini Hibbie Kanka !!), No Card Kanka Ciaran, Gorgeous Kankie Rachel, Hibbie Kanka's brother Neil, No Card Kanka's pal Jake and yours truly.
We headed off to Hampden Park in Glasgow at about midday and approaching Glasgow we were welcomed by driving snow and sleet. We made it into the stadium which was full to capacity with 50,100 present.
The pre-match entertainment completed, the players came out to a tremendous welcome, especially from the Hibs supporters who were about 2/3 in the majority. The match then kicked off with the snow stilling pissing down in the gusting wind.
The driving snow didn't seem to affect the players and for the first 30 minutes it was all end to end stuff with chances for both team to take the lead. It was quite clear at this stage that both managers tactics were to attack. The Kilmarnock striker Naismith had 2 good chances and young Lewis Stevenson (Man of the Match) also went close.
Then on the half hour mark came the opening goal (always vital in Cup Finals in my opinion). A corner was swung in from the left by David Murphy to the back post and there was Captain Rob Jones thundering in to outjump everyone and power a header into the goal with goalkeeper Combe rooted to the line. The breakthrough !
It was still end to end until half time with Nish and Wright going close for Kilmarnock and Whittaker and Fletcher going close for Hibs.
Into the 2nd half and what a transformation. Hibs came out all fired up and took the match by the scruff of the neck. It was all Hibs now and it only took 15 minutes to go 2 up. A great pass from Steven Whittaker to Benji saw him turn defender Greer inside out before curling home a fine left foot strike with Combe helpless.
Hibs were rampant now with Scott Brown almost scoring from a Murphy cut back. However, he made amends a few minutes later when he sent Steven Fletcher clear who finished with a crisp left foot shot from just inside the penalty box. 3-0 now and motoring !
Perhaps it was over confidence or taking a breather, but Kilmarnock silenced the Hibs supporters with a goal on the 75th minute when Greer headed in after some sloppy defending by Hibs for the 1st and only time in the match.
That was to be the last cheer from the Kilmarnock end ! 10 minutes later Fletcher sent Benji clear for his 2nd goal of the match.
2 minutes later with the Kilmarnock end emptying fast, and a horror show from Combe with a clearance against the incoming Fletcher who was left with an open goal to make it 5. Not a happy day for Alan Combe but in fairness he was left exposed on numerous occasions by his defenders.
So, it was Rob Jones who collected the Scottish League Cup with the Hibs support in full voice. The lap of honour was conducted to a background of Proclaimers songs, and of course, the famous Sunshine Over Leith song. I noticed a few eyes with emotional tears around me !
Well done Hibs. A well deserved victory and a great team performance.
Back to league business in 2 weeks and the semi final of the Scottish FA Cup in mid April.
All the best from Eski Kanka in Edinburgh
Sunday dawned with sunshine over Leith and I was up to see it. The adrenalin was pumping and sleep was impossible.
There was a large contingent of Hibs supporters in our party. Paddy Kanka Paul, Hibbie Kanka Athole, Red Card Hooligan Kanka (previously known as Mini Hibbie Kanka !!), No Card Kanka Ciaran, Gorgeous Kankie Rachel, Hibbie Kanka's brother Neil, No Card Kanka's pal Jake and yours truly.
We headed off to Hampden Park in Glasgow at about midday and approaching Glasgow we were welcomed by driving snow and sleet. We made it into the stadium which was full to capacity with 50,100 present.
The pre-match entertainment completed, the players came out to a tremendous welcome, especially from the Hibs supporters who were about 2/3 in the majority. The match then kicked off with the snow stilling pissing down in the gusting wind.
The driving snow didn't seem to affect the players and for the first 30 minutes it was all end to end stuff with chances for both team to take the lead. It was quite clear at this stage that both managers tactics were to attack. The Kilmarnock striker Naismith had 2 good chances and young Lewis Stevenson (Man of the Match) also went close.
Then on the half hour mark came the opening goal (always vital in Cup Finals in my opinion). A corner was swung in from the left by David Murphy to the back post and there was Captain Rob Jones thundering in to outjump everyone and power a header into the goal with goalkeeper Combe rooted to the line. The breakthrough !
It was still end to end until half time with Nish and Wright going close for Kilmarnock and Whittaker and Fletcher going close for Hibs.
Into the 2nd half and what a transformation. Hibs came out all fired up and took the match by the scruff of the neck. It was all Hibs now and it only took 15 minutes to go 2 up. A great pass from Steven Whittaker to Benji saw him turn defender Greer inside out before curling home a fine left foot strike with Combe helpless.
Hibs were rampant now with Scott Brown almost scoring from a Murphy cut back. However, he made amends a few minutes later when he sent Steven Fletcher clear who finished with a crisp left foot shot from just inside the penalty box. 3-0 now and motoring !
Perhaps it was over confidence or taking a breather, but Kilmarnock silenced the Hibs supporters with a goal on the 75th minute when Greer headed in after some sloppy defending by Hibs for the 1st and only time in the match.
That was to be the last cheer from the Kilmarnock end ! 10 minutes later Fletcher sent Benji clear for his 2nd goal of the match.
2 minutes later with the Kilmarnock end emptying fast, and a horror show from Combe with a clearance against the incoming Fletcher who was left with an open goal to make it 5. Not a happy day for Alan Combe but in fairness he was left exposed on numerous occasions by his defenders.
So, it was Rob Jones who collected the Scottish League Cup with the Hibs support in full voice. The lap of honour was conducted to a background of Proclaimers songs, and of course, the famous Sunshine Over Leith song. I noticed a few eyes with emotional tears around me !
Well done Hibs. A well deserved victory and a great team performance.
Back to league business in 2 weeks and the semi final of the Scottish FA Cup in mid April.
All the best from Eski Kanka in Edinburgh
SUNSHINE OVER LEITH
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
It was sunshine over Leith when we left Edinburgh yesterday but when we reached the outskirts of Glasgow the snow and sleet came down to greet us !!
However, who cares about the weather when it's Cup Final day. A fantastic footie performance by a truly great Hibs team. 1-0 up at half time and then Hibs stepped up a gear and ran out 5-1 (yes..... FIVE) winners.
Report and details to follow later today when I have fully recovered from my mega hangover !!
PHOTO 1 (above): Players coming out in front of 50,000 spectators.
PHOTO 2: Play in progress with the score at 1-0.
PHOTO 3: The Cup is presented
PHOTO 4: The lap of honour with the Kilmarnock end empty !!!
All the best from an ecstatic Eski Kanka Jim in Edinburgh
It was sunshine over Leith when we left Edinburgh yesterday but when we reached the outskirts of Glasgow the snow and sleet came down to greet us !!
However, who cares about the weather when it's Cup Final day. A fantastic footie performance by a truly great Hibs team. 1-0 up at half time and then Hibs stepped up a gear and ran out 5-1 (yes..... FIVE) winners.
Report and details to follow later today when I have fully recovered from my mega hangover !!
PHOTO 1 (above): Players coming out in front of 50,000 spectators.
PHOTO 2: Play in progress with the score at 1-0.
PHOTO 3: The Cup is presented
PHOTO 4: The lap of honour with the Kilmarnock end empty !!!
All the best from an ecstatic Eski Kanka Jim in Edinburgh
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