Greetings Kankas.
Two big league matches coming up this weekend.
Friday 12 December KO 8pm - Genclerbirligi v Galatasaray (Oz Kanka will give meeting details in a kanka email).
Saturday 13 December KO 7pm - Besiktas v Ankaragucu (meeting in The Chopin Bar at about 6pm to watch this one on Lig TV).
The Turkish Cup has been pushed onto the back burner due to Ankaragucu's failure to beat Fener and Bursa. However, if you believe in miracles then it is mathematically possible for Ankaragucu to qualify ............ if ......... Tokat can beat Bursa in Bursa !! Ankaragucu supporters (like me) have sometimes been accused of being ........ dreamers !!!
Anyway, the original fixtures which I posted a few weeks ago have been changed by the TFF.
The revised fixtures are -
Wednesday 7 January - Ankaragucu v Tokat
Sunday 11 January - Eskisehir v Ankaragucu
KO times to be given when known.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Monday, December 08, 2008
Hibs 2-0 Celtic
A great three points for Hibs on Sunday when they scored two second half goals to beat Celtic two nil at Easter Road.
I don't think many Hibs fans dared hope for more than a point against Celtic as Hibs results so far have failed to instill confidence. Also Celtic had won twelve straight league games and were seven points clear at the top of the SPL.
Hibs had a pretty defensive set up and were happy to let Celtic have the bulk of the play. The tactic worked very well as Celtic failed to create many opportunities, in fact Hibs had the best chance of the first half after Fletcher rounded Boruc in the Celtic goal only to blast high and wide.
Hibs took the lead early in the second half when Rankin shot from about 40 yards. The ball swerved a bit but was straight at Boruc however a lack of concentration saw the ball hit the back of the net. It was a real howler and matched the one last year in this fixture that let Hibs win 3-2.
This stunned Celtic into a better period where they started carving out some half chances but it was Hibs who increased their lead on 70 mins.
Some wonderful inter play between O'Brian, Fletcher and Nish saw O'Brian sent through on the keeper. O'Brian rounded Boruc, crossed for Rankin whose shot was directed into the net by Nish.
Celtic continued to press looking for a way back into the game but Hibs held onto their two goal lead quite comfortably.
That is two wins and two draws in the last four games for Hibs. Time to try and build on the good form and pick up more points against Hamilton next week.
I don't think many Hibs fans dared hope for more than a point against Celtic as Hibs results so far have failed to instill confidence. Also Celtic had won twelve straight league games and were seven points clear at the top of the SPL.
Hibs had a pretty defensive set up and were happy to let Celtic have the bulk of the play. The tactic worked very well as Celtic failed to create many opportunities, in fact Hibs had the best chance of the first half after Fletcher rounded Boruc in the Celtic goal only to blast high and wide.
Hibs took the lead early in the second half when Rankin shot from about 40 yards. The ball swerved a bit but was straight at Boruc however a lack of concentration saw the ball hit the back of the net. It was a real howler and matched the one last year in this fixture that let Hibs win 3-2.
This stunned Celtic into a better period where they started carving out some half chances but it was Hibs who increased their lead on 70 mins.
Some wonderful inter play between O'Brian, Fletcher and Nish saw O'Brian sent through on the keeper. O'Brian rounded Boruc, crossed for Rankin whose shot was directed into the net by Nish.
Celtic continued to press looking for a way back into the game but Hibs held onto their two goal lead quite comfortably.
That is two wins and two draws in the last four games for Hibs. Time to try and build on the good form and pick up more points against Hamilton next week.
ANKARAGUCU AND THE 5 MINUTES STORM !
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
(Headline nicked from this morning’s Hurriyet !).
Well, CimBom came, they saw what Ankaragucu had for 45 minutes, and then they conquered !
ANKARAGUCU 0 Galatasaray 3
As usual it all started out on a high note of optimism, especially after last week’s away win in ‘Hell’.
As reported by Oz Kanka, two previous post ago, the kankas decided to watch the match in The Chopin Bar to avoid the fans protests at the Stadium and the possibility of confrontation with the Police.
Oz Kanka Chris, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I were the only kankas present and we reserved the biggest cheer of the night for Hibs defeating Celtic when it came through on the TV ‘ticker-tape’.
The Ankaragucu line-up was unchanged again and the match started at a furious pace with both teams seeking the early goal. Serkan was in great form again and only spilled one high ball in the entire match which he gathered at the second attempt.
The best chance of the 1st half fell to Gokhan when he received a cut-back about 20 metres out and thundered in a shot with De Sanctis rooted to the spot. We were up on our feet shouting ……. GOAAAAL ! However, the ball hit the inside of the post and instead of deflecting into the goal it flew across towards De Sanctis who ducked and the ball was cleared to safety.
Half time came and we were fairly satisfied with Ankaragucu’s efforts.
My tactics are well known on this Blog, but only Skibbe took notice of my suggestions when he sent Galatasaray out in the 2nd half to up-the-pace of attack. Some of the kankas felt that Karaman’s tactics were to play defensive in the 2nd half and hold out for a 0-0. I’m not so sure.
Galatasaray stepped on the gas and they were beginning to look more dangerous as the 2nd half unfolded. No doubting their fitness level which is something that the Ankaragucu defence have a problem with as I have mentioned before !
Then the storm arrived half-way through the 2nd half. Firstly, our Captain Courageous, Murat, was substituted with Tolga taking the armband. I’m at a loss to understand Karaman’s reason for taking off the captain when there is still all to play for. Murat is an inspirational player and at the heart of Ankaragucu’s midfield engine room. I’m not suggesting that this was the reason for the Ankaragucu collapse. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but it is something Karaman should ponder for future matches !
Anyway, no sooner had the game restarted than the storm began. A quick break down the right, the ball swung over, and there was predator Baros rushing in ahead of the Ankaragucu defenders to give Serkan no chance.
Looks of shock all round as Ankaragucu lost possession (again) from the re-start. Another break down the right and the ball cut back to Kewell who was in a similar position to that of Gokhan’s effort in the 1st half.
His volley was expertly placed in the top right hand corner of the net with Serkan again blameless.
Two minutes later it was 3 when Baros struck again with Ankaragucu still reeling from the initial blast of the storm !
Exasperated looks all round from the kankas, much head shaking and looks of disbelief.
Jaba had a chance to score a consolation goal when he was put through one-on-one with the goalkeeper but the ball was well blocked by De Sanctis and scrambled away to safety.
That was it. Lessons to be learned here me thinks ! I recommend that Karaman shows all 3 Galatasaray goals in slow motion to the team this week. Also, I noticed that the Galatasary midfielders are usually ‘up there’ supporting the strikers on those fast breakaways !
I don’t have any details of the result of the fans protest as I write. Perhaps Oz Kanka can comment if he has the details.
No respite then for Ankaragucu’s attempts to climb out of the bottom reaches of the league. Another difficult one next weekend in Istanbul against Besiktas (mustn’t say Sekiztrash because it upsets some of our readers !!) who will be anxious to rectify losing 3 points to Ankaraspor this weekend.
It doesn’t get any easier does it ?!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
(Headline nicked from this morning’s Hurriyet !).
Well, CimBom came, they saw what Ankaragucu had for 45 minutes, and then they conquered !
ANKARAGUCU 0 Galatasaray 3
As usual it all started out on a high note of optimism, especially after last week’s away win in ‘Hell’.
As reported by Oz Kanka, two previous post ago, the kankas decided to watch the match in The Chopin Bar to avoid the fans protests at the Stadium and the possibility of confrontation with the Police.
Oz Kanka Chris, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I were the only kankas present and we reserved the biggest cheer of the night for Hibs defeating Celtic when it came through on the TV ‘ticker-tape’.
The Ankaragucu line-up was unchanged again and the match started at a furious pace with both teams seeking the early goal. Serkan was in great form again and only spilled one high ball in the entire match which he gathered at the second attempt.
The best chance of the 1st half fell to Gokhan when he received a cut-back about 20 metres out and thundered in a shot with De Sanctis rooted to the spot. We were up on our feet shouting ……. GOAAAAL ! However, the ball hit the inside of the post and instead of deflecting into the goal it flew across towards De Sanctis who ducked and the ball was cleared to safety.
Half time came and we were fairly satisfied with Ankaragucu’s efforts.
My tactics are well known on this Blog, but only Skibbe took notice of my suggestions when he sent Galatasaray out in the 2nd half to up-the-pace of attack. Some of the kankas felt that Karaman’s tactics were to play defensive in the 2nd half and hold out for a 0-0. I’m not so sure.
Galatasaray stepped on the gas and they were beginning to look more dangerous as the 2nd half unfolded. No doubting their fitness level which is something that the Ankaragucu defence have a problem with as I have mentioned before !
Then the storm arrived half-way through the 2nd half. Firstly, our Captain Courageous, Murat, was substituted with Tolga taking the armband. I’m at a loss to understand Karaman’s reason for taking off the captain when there is still all to play for. Murat is an inspirational player and at the heart of Ankaragucu’s midfield engine room. I’m not suggesting that this was the reason for the Ankaragucu collapse. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but it is something Karaman should ponder for future matches !
Anyway, no sooner had the game restarted than the storm began. A quick break down the right, the ball swung over, and there was predator Baros rushing in ahead of the Ankaragucu defenders to give Serkan no chance.
Looks of shock all round as Ankaragucu lost possession (again) from the re-start. Another break down the right and the ball cut back to Kewell who was in a similar position to that of Gokhan’s effort in the 1st half.
His volley was expertly placed in the top right hand corner of the net with Serkan again blameless.
Two minutes later it was 3 when Baros struck again with Ankaragucu still reeling from the initial blast of the storm !
Exasperated looks all round from the kankas, much head shaking and looks of disbelief.
Jaba had a chance to score a consolation goal when he was put through one-on-one with the goalkeeper but the ball was well blocked by De Sanctis and scrambled away to safety.
That was it. Lessons to be learned here me thinks ! I recommend that Karaman shows all 3 Galatasaray goals in slow motion to the team this week. Also, I noticed that the Galatasary midfielders are usually ‘up there’ supporting the strikers on those fast breakaways !
I don’t have any details of the result of the fans protest as I write. Perhaps Oz Kanka can comment if he has the details.
No respite then for Ankaragucu’s attempts to climb out of the bottom reaches of the league. Another difficult one next weekend in Istanbul against Besiktas (mustn’t say Sekiztrash because it upsets some of our readers !!) who will be anxious to rectify losing 3 points to Ankaraspor this weekend.
It doesn’t get any easier does it ?!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Live radio blogging: Hacetepe v Genclerbirligi
(One of the weirder ways to celebrate agoal. Photo nicked from Milliyet)
I couldn't get out to the stadium today and so I'm at home where I shall be live radio blogging (the reason why Web 2.0 was invented) Hacetepe v Genclerbirligi.
Kick-off is at 2 p.m.
Preamble: Well this one is clearly the match of the round. Forget your Istanbul derbies this is the "Tandogan Derby" between two teams which are pretty much owned by the same man. Not only that, this match is 16th versus 17th and you can't get more exciting than that!
Last year I spoke to former Hacetepe (they were then called Genclerbirligi Oftas) player Miles Sterjovski and he said that Cavcav gave a talk to both teams before the derby. He certainly didn't tell either team to roll over, but he did say to the players not to make any stupid tackles that might result in injuries.
2:03 pm Kick off and I'm a bit late. A couple of minutes in and Hacetepe are playing the attacking stuff. Let's see. I'm not sure what the teams are but Engin seems to be back for Gencler and Kahe and Bruce Djite are up front.
2:10 pm Hacetepe are getting shots on goal. Gencler seem to be trying to attack but just aren't controlling the ball.
2:12 pm From a free kick in a dangerous position Kaha hits it into the wall.
2:17 pm Seems as if Cavcav isn't at the match. He hasn't been well recently. The fact that I even bothered to report this shows how exciting Gencler's play is.
2:20 pm Hacetepe have a shot just out, possibly off the post... The Gencler supporters already seem as if they have given up the ghost.
2:22 pm One annoying thing about this match is that both keepers are called Recep, and the damn commentator won't refer to them just by their surnames. I'm getting confused!
2:23 pm Argh! Kahe has a shot as he is going down and the Hacetepe keeper saves. No foul.
2:28 pm Why am I not surprised that the commentator has just said that the "last passes for both sides are just not making it". At the same time it seems that Engin Baytar (who was dropped last week) is making dangerous moves.
2:31 pm Someone from Galatasaray is watching the match as next week they are away to Gencler. Somehow I doubt he is worried.
2:37 pm
A yellow card to a Hacetepe player. Do you like the graphics. This is Web 2.0!2:39 pm Gencler stuff up. Either Mehmet Nas or Engin miss a fantastic chance after what sounded like a great build up.
2:40 pm
Gooool! Burhan scores! It was from a great pass from Engin which left Burhan one-on-one with the keeper. Hacetepe 0 - 1 Genclerbirligi.2:42 pm
Another graphic, er sorry, yellow card for a Hacetepe player. In the meantime Burhan almost got one through for Kahe. Looking better.2:44 pm Kahe has a shot which the commentator describes as "unbelievably bad".
2:44 pm
Murat Kalkan for Hacetepe gets a second yellow. More graphics.2:46 pm Half time And with that red card the half ends. After a crap start Gencler started to get their act together. Yet again though they don't seem to be able to finish properly. Except for Burhan that is. But as most of the Gencler fans know, Burhan is the sort of player who one week is brilliant and the next is about as much use as a craving for steak at a Hindu restaurant.
3:09 pm
A few minutes into the second half and another yellow card for Hacetepe. They really ought to calm down.3:10 pm Kahe misses another "unbelievable chance". The commentator is saying that if we lose points out of this match it is Kahe who should take the blame.
3:12 pm Taking advantage of being a man up Gencler are really putting on the pressure. Time to convert that pressure!
3:14 pm Goool!
Aussie Bruce scores! Burhan sends in an excellent cross and Djite heads it in. Hacetepe 0 - 2 Genclerbirligi.3:18 pm Seems as if the Galatasaray bloke in the stands watching this is actually their coach Skibbe.
3:19 pm
Engin is given a yellow.3:21 pm Engin is taken off and James Troisi comes on.
3:25 pm Kahe is coming off... not sure who is coming on. I should make a graphic for these things... maybe not.
3:28 pm Goal!
The fellow who came on for Kahe, Kemal Akbaba scores! Troisi sent a great pass to Nas who sent another on for Akbaba. This is only the second time Akbaba has come on for Gencler. Hacetepe 0 - 3 Genclerbirligi3:34 pm Burhan is taken off. He has had a great game. Again, I have no idea who came on. Seems like his name is Caner.
3:40 pm Not long to go and both teams have used up all their substitutes.
3:45 pm
Silly, silly, silly. A Hacetepe player gets a direct red. They are down to nine men with just a minute or two left.3:49 pm Peep, peep, peep. And that's it. Gencler are out of the relegation zone, at least until the results of other matches are known. As for Hacetepe, they may well be doomed.
Final Score
Hacetepe 0 - 3 Genclerbirligi
Postscript
Results of the other matches played at the same time.
Antalyaspor 0 - 0 Eskisehirspor
Gaziantepspor 0 - 0 Kayserispor
So, Gencler are officially out of the relegation zone... just.
Friday, December 05, 2008
This is serious
Seems as if things are getting nasty at Ankaragucu.
Sir Eski Kanka sent me an e-mail this evening, quoting a message he had received from the Anti-X supporters group. Basically the e-mail said that Ankaragucu had cancelled all kombine (season) tickets that were given to Anti-X at the beginning of the season for this Sunday's Ankaragucu-Galatasaray match.
Those people who bought tickets through the club (at double the price) will be able to get in.
Since receiving that message I've checked out the Anti-X forum and news of the cancellation was first posted yesterday.
Responses were at first those of disbelief and confusion. A bit of swearing (and then a comic reminder that women are also members of Anti-X and could everyone obey the rules and stop swearing) and then pure anger, anger at Cemal Aydin.
There is nothing on the official Ankaragucu website that I can see.
As far as I can tell from the dozens and dozens of messages and announcements on the Anti-X site the cancellation is only for this match, although I cannot be totally sure.
Seems as if the very vocal protests against Aydin by the Ankaragucu fans, especially during the televised game against Fenerbahce a couple of weeks ago, has pissed him off big time.
Anti-X are calling all Ankaragucu fans to go to the match. Sir Eski Kanka, however, is advising that the Kankas watch at the Chopin. I have to agree. Not only is it going to be chaos with enormous lines to get tickets, it is almost certainly going to get nasty on Sunday night.
So, the plan is to meet up at the Chopin at 4:45 pm on Sunday and a final decision will be made there whether to go to the match. My advice to my Ankaragucu friends... watch it at the pub.
Sir Eski Kanka sent me an e-mail this evening, quoting a message he had received from the Anti-X supporters group. Basically the e-mail said that Ankaragucu had cancelled all kombine (season) tickets that were given to Anti-X at the beginning of the season for this Sunday's Ankaragucu-Galatasaray match.
Those people who bought tickets through the club (at double the price) will be able to get in.
Since receiving that message I've checked out the Anti-X forum and news of the cancellation was first posted yesterday.
Responses were at first those of disbelief and confusion. A bit of swearing (and then a comic reminder that women are also members of Anti-X and could everyone obey the rules and stop swearing) and then pure anger, anger at Cemal Aydin.
There is nothing on the official Ankaragucu website that I can see.
As far as I can tell from the dozens and dozens of messages and announcements on the Anti-X site the cancellation is only for this match, although I cannot be totally sure.
Seems as if the very vocal protests against Aydin by the Ankaragucu fans, especially during the televised game against Fenerbahce a couple of weeks ago, has pissed him off big time.
Anti-X are calling all Ankaragucu fans to go to the match. Sir Eski Kanka, however, is advising that the Kankas watch at the Chopin. I have to agree. Not only is it going to be chaos with enormous lines to get tickets, it is almost certainly going to get nasty on Sunday night.
So, the plan is to meet up at the Chopin at 4:45 pm on Sunday and a final decision will be made there whether to go to the match. My advice to my Ankaragucu friends... watch it at the pub.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Falkirk 1-1 Hibs
Just the one point for Hibs this weekend, a one all draw away to Falkirk was probably as much as Hibs deserved after being outplayed for the first hour of this game.
Falkirk took the lead on 65 mins when the Hibs keeper totally missed a cross and left a Falkirk player a relatively simple task of heading into an empty net. Makalamby had been having a solid game but still has a tendancy to gift goals away.
Hibs responded in a positive manner and equalised with 9 minutes to go, Rob Jones won a header from a Hibs corner and Colin Nish headed in from two yards. The Falkirk keeper had claimed for a foul but to no avail.
Hibs were on the up and up now and finished the stronger of the two teams, a couple of half chances came Hibs way but they could not convert. By all accounts a draw was a fair result.
The 4th round Scottish cup draw was made this afternoon and Hibs have pulled a cracker. A home draw against our capital rivals Hearts is the pick of the round and is scheduled to be played on the 10th January.
We may not have won the Scottish cup for over a hundred years but what better time to do it than 2009 and knocking out the Jambos will make it all the sweeter.
Falkirk took the lead on 65 mins when the Hibs keeper totally missed a cross and left a Falkirk player a relatively simple task of heading into an empty net. Makalamby had been having a solid game but still has a tendancy to gift goals away.
Hibs responded in a positive manner and equalised with 9 minutes to go, Rob Jones won a header from a Hibs corner and Colin Nish headed in from two yards. The Falkirk keeper had claimed for a foul but to no avail.
Hibs were on the up and up now and finished the stronger of the two teams, a couple of half chances came Hibs way but they could not convert. By all accounts a draw was a fair result.
The 4th round Scottish cup draw was made this afternoon and Hibs have pulled a cracker. A home draw against our capital rivals Hearts is the pick of the round and is scheduled to be played on the 10th January.
We may not have won the Scottish cup for over a hundred years but what better time to do it than 2009 and knocking out the Jambos will make it all the sweeter.
Smelling relegation
Ankara weather is weird. I dressed up on Sunday expecting to half freeze in the 19 Mayis stadium and instead ended up getting a suntan. At least the weather was great, unlike the footy.
Genclerbirligi 0 - 0 Istanbul BBS
Spine, Guclu, Dan the Man and myself rocked up to the Chopin for pre-match beers stuffed ourselves with chewing gum and got into the stadium just in time for the national anthem. We were soon joined by Ertank and Alpine Kanka Wolfgang, whilst Young Alpine Kanka Chris had to stay at home studying for a school exam. Lucky kid.
Two halves of play in which we dominated, A few good shots and others that were pretty ordinary. As Hurriyet newspaper reported on Monday, "Gencler have forgotten how to win."
In fact we probably should have lost as Istanbul had a couple of clear cut chances that were only snuffed out thanks to great positional play by our keeper Recep.
After the match I went for a beer with an old friend Orcan and his mate Lars who had just finished watching his first match in Turkey. Lars reckoned we weren't too bad. For us though, it was just frustrating.
"You can smell relegation," said Guclu after the match. You certainly can.
Genclerbirligi 0 - 0 Istanbul BBS
Spine, Guclu, Dan the Man and myself rocked up to the Chopin for pre-match beers stuffed ourselves with chewing gum and got into the stadium just in time for the national anthem. We were soon joined by Ertank and Alpine Kanka Wolfgang, whilst Young Alpine Kanka Chris had to stay at home studying for a school exam. Lucky kid.
Two halves of play in which we dominated, A few good shots and others that were pretty ordinary. As Hurriyet newspaper reported on Monday, "Gencler have forgotten how to win."
In fact we probably should have lost as Istanbul had a couple of clear cut chances that were only snuffed out thanks to great positional play by our keeper Recep.
After the match I went for a beer with an old friend Orcan and his mate Lars who had just finished watching his first match in Turkey. Lars reckoned we weren't too bad. For us though, it was just frustrating.
"You can smell relegation," said Guclu after the match. You certainly can.
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