Another dodgy penalty sinks Gencler

"The referee was rubbish, crap," so says Little Oz Kanka who for my money was spot on.

The beautiful Autumn weather continues in Ankara for the start of the Bayram week and so it was in comfort that Spine, Ambo Kanka Peter, Patrick, Ciaran, Little Oz Kanka and myself sat and gossipped in the Beer Bus.

We all crammed into Ambo Peter's car and joined the massive queues to get in. I guess the good weather got the people out as prices for the match were 45tl for Maraton. Pretty steep when you consider that our season tickets cost us 90tl.

Genclerbirligi 0 - 2 Besiktas

With so many of our top players out injured (zec, Harbuzi, Stewart etc) it was with great joy that we saw Gencler go out there with attacking intent. There has certainly been a big change since Zumdick took over a few weeks ago and it is clear that the fans appreciate it.

We were taking Besiktas on and, despite a few scares, were pretty pleased with the overall performance in the first half. One hassle though is that some of our players don't go for shots. This was particularly true of Kiwi Shane Smetlz who seemed as if he wanted to walk the ball into the goal. Come on guys, if you have a chance, go for it!

Just before half-time. Photo by Spine on top of a concrete box.

As I said things were going okay until stoppage time in the first half when a ball went in from the left and seemingly went across the goal and off to the other side. Sighs of relief all round until we noticed that the ref had pointed to the spot. It certainly didn't look like a penalty to me and Besiktas smashed in the goal. All the old (but clean) anti-referee chants went up and a moment or two later I got two text messages. The first from Flying Dutchman Kanka:

"Not a penalty! not even after replay on my laptop. Referee has been bought, no surprise there, eh? Shit Istanbul teams. Haydi Gencler!!!"

Then a moment later from Sir Eski Kanka:

"How much did BJK pay ref?

I'm not sure but you can see the incident at the beginning of this YouTube clip. Sorry to those in Turkey who have can't see it. Youtube seems to be banned again. My advice, check out OpenDNS.



Second half and we stepped up a gear and could have so easily equalised. Serkan pulled off the shot of the match with a lovely far distance strike that the Besiktas keeper only just managed to get a hand to and the ball then hit the upright.

Attack after attack and plenty of sighs and signs of desperation from us Gencler fans when at the very death of the match, at 90+6, Besiktas ran through on a counter attack and scored their second.

A tough end and no points but I'm still feeling positive. We would beat most teams the way we played today, not to mention the referee (it wasn't just the penalty, plenty of Besiktas players should have been given multiple yellow cards).

I actually had a nice afternoon yesterday, and even though we are down near the bottom of the league things are starting to look positive.

ANKARAGUCU - AFTER THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Could things get any better after last Tuesday's result ? No !!

A disappointing display from Ankaragucu today in Izmir.

Bucaspor 0 ANKARAGUCU 0

Eski Kanka was 'The Lone Ranger' in The Beer Bus Bar today, but I had a large Gecikondu/Anti-X contingent for company. Boston Kanka Russ joined me late on and promised to turn up with the kankas next Sunday.

Shock horror ....... when the teams came out and Ankaragucu was in RED shirts and white shorts with Buca wearing OUR strip !! Weird. That's a first for me !

Anyway, Ankaragucu was first into the attack and Kagan had a long range shot which went just wide.

After 15 minutes and Buca was taking control, albeit in the midfield area, and that's where the match stayed for most of the first half.

Lots of high balls from Ankaragucu (again !!) into the Buca penalty area which were being dealt with easily by their defence.

After 40 minutes, another long range shot from Kagan which went past the post and that was the sum of Ankaragucu's serious attempts at scoring a goal.

Some serious efforts from Buca which were being dealt with by the defence and Senecky.

I was thinking to myself at half time .......... if I didn't know better, it would look like Ankaragucu came to Izmir for a point !!

Mehmet came on at the beginning of the 2nd half and added some spark up front, but the final ball was always missing and the spark soon fizzled out.

Buca was attacking full-on now and Klukowski was marshalling the defence well.

64 and 73 minutes and Senecky pulled off two great saves to deny Buca.

75 minutes and Meye was introduced to find the break through. He almost did at the end, but the sting was taken out of his shot when it struck a defender and the goalkeeper saved.

I was up on my feet on 76 minutes when The Beer Bus changed the channel to the Bursa v Trabzon match in line with the bars on either side. I weighed in along with the other Ankaragucu supporters with a protest and it was changed back ......... immediately !! The Beer Bus learned a lesson (as if they didn't know) .......... don't mess with Ankaragucu supporters !!!!

I have to confess that this match was one of the most boring matches I have ever watched, and I'll also confess to watching the babes walking up and down Sakarya Caddesi from time to time during the match !!! Does that paint the picture ???

Gotta step up a gear next Sunday against Istanbul BBS. Perhaps if the backroom staff convince the players that ALL Istanbul teams are in the same category as GS and Fener then we might see some action ??!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU DECLARE THEIR CUP ASPIRATIONS

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The Stadium was a no-go for the kankas last night given the ridiculous price hike and work related concerns. Interestingly, Gecikondu was empty, but Maraton full ! However, thanks to TRT the match was screened live.

ANKARAGUCU 4 Fenerbahce 2

No suprises in the line-up, except that 'old boy' Serkan was between the sticks for Fener. That prompted me to say prayer to God for Ankaragucu to score 4 and put Serkan in his place, ie, on the floor. God is great ..... and I think he supports Ankaragucu !!!

The match started with Fener first out of the traps and Stoch in particular showing his speed on the left, leaving Guven for dead a few times.

It was the old old story from Ankaragucu giving the ball away needlessly and being 2nd best in the tackle.

Fener was well in control and then in the 11th minute Stoch sent another tempting ball over from the left which eluded everyone except Semih lurking at the far post and he nodded in. No argument with that. Semih is renowned for being in the right place at the right time.

Ankaragucu was coming more into the match from the 20th minute but their attacks were breaking down in the last quarter before they could test Serkan.

It was almost 2 in the 25th minute when Stoch hit the post and the ball fortunately broke away out of harms way.

On the half hour mark and Ankaragucu was still building from the back but too slowly to do any real damage, and Metin, in particular, was guilty of giving the ball away and losing out in the tackles.

Sestak almost equalised on 37 minutes when he collected a great pass from Sapara and sent the ball just past the post.

Another chance just before the half time whistle when Guven sent in a looping shot from the left which Serkan tipped over for a corner.

Into the 2nd half and was this the beginning of a resurgence in Ankargucu's old attacking style ? Yessssssss !!

Mehmet replaced Guven and Dogan replaced Metin and play was resumed.

The equaliser wasn't long in coming. A corner from Sapara, the flick on at the near post from Klukowski and there was Rajnoch with a great anticipating run to head in.

It was Fener on the back foot now as Ankaragucu was transformed into something more like the attacking team we know.

Dogan put Sestak through but Serkan saved at his feet. Dogan shoots but Yobo deflects it for a corner. Another chance for Sestak but a mis-kick.

It was all Ankaragucu now and Fener was getting rattled !

Then with 15 minutes remaining, the break through. A sweeping move with the ball sent to Mehmet on the right wing. Looks up, and sends the ball to the back post where Sestak is lurking unmarked and he side-foots it in !

5 minutes to go and Ankaragucu is still attacking. Then Mehmet cuts the ball back for the in-rushing Dogan, but the challenge also comes in from Gokhan and he scores a great Own Goal. If it's any consolation to him, Dogan would have scored anyway !

3-1 up and into time added on and a corner from Fener. Santos was at the near post and he rose unchallenged to angle a great header past a deceived Senecky.

Straight from the re-start Ankaragucu pushed forward and from an Umut cut-back, Kagan slotted it in for No4.

What an unbelievable 2nd half !

A joy to see Ankaragucu in full-on attacking mode, and long may it continue. The whole team receive my vote as 'Men of the Match' !

The question now is ......... does Ankaragucu have aspirations on winning the Turkish Cup ????

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU - THE TRANSFORMERS !!!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

What the Fuck !!!!

How can a team of duffers last Saturday be transformed into a world class team in 3 days ???

Ankaragucu could have beaten The Mighty Hibernian, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Otulu Galatu, and even Genclerbirligi tonight..... or come to that ..... Raith Rovers !!!

ANKARAGUCU 4 Fenerbahce 2

Fantastic second half performance - what did Umit Bey say to them at half time when they were 0-1 down ?

Unbelieveable........ can't find the words tonight .............. full report tomorra .............. lay lay lay lay lay lay lay ............ Aaaaaannnkaaaaarrrrrraaaaagooooojooooo !!!!!

All the best from still 'up there' Eski Kanka Jim

Genclerbirligi make and take a point against Kayseri

Due to French Kanka Hande hosting a celebratory dinner on Friday night I was unable to watch Genclerbirligi away to Kayserispor. I had thought of bringing a radio to the restaurant but ultimately had to rely of Spine's Blackberry for score updates.

Kayserispor 1 - 1 Genclerbirligi

I obviously can't write that much about the game but a simple look at the score, the fact it was an a way match and that a win for Kayseri would have put them into the top spot in the league, all makes it look like a good result.

Ermin Zec was again the man of the match for most and by far the worst part of the match was that it seems like he will be out for a couple of weeks having picked up some sort of knack.

As one fan wrote on the Alkaralar forum. "I had hoped for one point but watching the match I was looking for three".

It seems as if Ralf Zumdick has something quite amazing in the few weeks he has been in charge. Possibly with nothing to lose, the rumours are still out there that he is to be replaced by a Turkish coach as soon as they find one, Gencler in the past couple of weeks have been playing attacking football. It not only looks nice but it gets us points.

This is all good stuff.

Oh. I've just found the highlights on something called YouTube. Both goals were rippers.

ANKARAGUCU .... AND ANTEP PROVE TO BE TOO DIFFICULT A NUT TO CRACK !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The Kanka Group decreases in size by the week ! Only Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and I turned up at The Beer Bus Bar but were full of confidence that the 3 points were ours for the taking ....... well, I was anyway ! However, Gaziantep gave an excellent demonstration of the reason why they have only conceded 8 goals in 11 matches.

ANKARAGUCU 0 Gaziantepspor 2

All the tribunes were in fine voice when we arrived at the Stadium and I sensed their confidence too.

The team -

Senecky
Ugur, Zewlakow, Klukowski and Rajnoch
Adem, Guven, Murat and Sapara
Sestak and Metin

Substitutes used - Weeks, Mehmet and Dogan

It only took Gaziantep one minute to show their potential to spoil the party. A brilliant move down the left wing with about 10 one touch passes, the ball cut back into the penalty area and the shot just past the post.

That was a wake-up call (if one was needed) and Ankaragucu responded by taking control of the first half and it was mostly all one way traffic in the direction of the Antep goal.

The problem was that the Antep defence was dealing easily with most of the attacks, Guven's long throw-ins and high balls. Man of the Match, Antep's No 13 (I think his name is Dany) was outstanding at the centre of defence and he more or less put Sestak in his pocket for most of the match !

There were two excellent chances for Ankaragucu to make the break through. The first on 22 minutes from a typical Sapara free kick outside the box which Karcemarskas tipped over for a corner.

The second, on the half hour mark when Guven found himself unmarked in the box. However, he hesitated for a second, was tackled and went down and the ball was cleared. Penalty !!! we all screamed, but the referee waved play on ......... wanker !

Gaziantep took control of the 2nd half with Ankaragucu running out of ideas on how to pierce the Antep defence. It was mostly all one way traffic now towards the Ankaragucu goal with Antep sniffing more than one point.

The goal almost came on 50 minutes when a shot came in, hit the bar and was cleared by a grateful Ankaragucu defence.

5 minutes later, on a rare forage forward, Murat sent a great pass to Sestak who controlled the ball and was about to shoot when that man Dany again made the telling tackle and the chance was gone. btw, that was Murat's only real contribution before he was substituted shortly after.

Then the inevitable happened. Metin (what was he thinking ??) backheeled the ball inside his own half direct to Olcan who said .... thanks a lot mate ......... took a few steps and sent a curler of a shot at goal which swerved past Senecky and into the net for a fantastic goal.

Sapara at this stage was screaming at the Ankaragucu players for more effort and the equaliser almost came when Mehmet crossed the ball for Sestak to fire in. But a great save from Karcemarskas denied him a certain goal.

Into the last 15 minutes and Antep had total control now and were taking piss out of Ankaragucu at times with their passing game. Ankaragucu had totally run out of ideas and steam and were running around like headless chickens.

Sapara was still screaming at the team for more, but as they pushed forward in search of the equaliser the sucker punch was delivered.

Antep carved the defence open and De Souza slotted in No2 to kill the game off with the Anti-X Tribune shouting for Umit's resignation. (Battle Damaged joined in the chorus !!!).

Back we trudged to the Beer Bus Bar with long faces.

What now we asked ? The omens are not good I'm afraid. It could be another long hard winter of discontent !!

Up next is the Turkish Cup match at home against Fener on Wednesday KO 8pm. I will be watching this in The Beer Bus Bar because I have business in Kizilay until 8pm.

Next Saturday Ankaragucu is away to Bucaspor. I will give the KO time later when known.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

THE TURKISH CUP - GROUP STAGE

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The draw for the Turkish Cup Group Stage was made late last week, and true to form, has done no favours for Ankaragucu.

Fenerbahce
Ankaragucu
Genclerbirligi
Bucaspor
Yeni Malatyaspor

Since the beginning of the 21st Century, Gencler's successful runs in the UEFA Cup, Turkish Cup and Sportswriters Cup should make them 2nd favourites alongside Fener to proceed into the final Knock Out Phase.

Of course, as we all know, the unexpected can always happen in Cup matches, so at this stage we can at least be hopeful, if not optimistic !!

The schedule is as follows -

Wednesday 10 November

KO 7pm - Buca v Malatya
KO 8pm - ANKARAGUCU v Fener

Wednesday 22 December

GENCLER v ANKARAGUCU
Fener v Buca

Wednesday 12 January

Malatya v Fener
Buca v GENCLER

Sunday 16 January

ANKARAGUCU v Buca
GENCLER v Malatya

Wednesday 26 January

Fener v GENCLER
Malatya v ANKARAGUCU

Let battle commence !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim