No one can stop us from finishing ninth!

I'd like to boast about how I predicted months and months ago that Genclerbirligi would finish ninth. I could boast, of course, but it was always pretty obvious.

Besiktas 1 - 1 Genclerbirligi

The TFF in their wisdom decided to put the final match of the season on at the same time as the English FA Cup Final. I don't give a damn about the FA Cup but a few people at the Red Lion Club did and so the Super Lig "Game of the Day" was relegated to the small screen with no sound.

A blessing really as the game in London seemed much more exciting.

But knowing that I had better write a blog post having been extremely lazy recently I sort of kept an eye on our match.

First up... bugger all people at the match. People always say that Gencler have no fans but there were less people at the match on a wonderfully warm Saturday than there are at Gencler home matches in the middle of winter. E-billet is not working!

Footy and... Besiktas needed to win, and hope Galatasaray lost, in order to get the Champion's League automatic spot (Fener aren't allowed in because they are cheats). So, what we got was some fairly determined footy from Besiktas and they were clearly the dominating side for the first 30 minutes or so. Having said that, Gencler were trying ... unlike in recent weeks (???).

And it was Besiktas who went ahead after a silly mistake from keeper Ferhat who didn't clearly clear a ball. In the end in was an excellent header which sent Besiktas ahead.

A few minutes later Oktay was brought down in the box. One of the most obvious penalties ever... but no. Play on said the idiot in the middle.

With things seemingly going Besiktas' way it was Mervan in the 56th who latched onto a pass from (someone) and scored a simple goal. Wooohoooo

Then the very dodgy penalty.

The ball was whacked straight into the shoulder of Ante. As Spine pointed out at the time, not even a non-armed man could have avoided it. So despite all our players complaining Almeida stood up to take the penalty.

And.... Ferhat saved it!!!

And that was about it for the rest of the match...

Another season gone...

Ankaragucu vs Bandirmaspor match preview !

Do Ankaragucu have it in them to turn this 1-0 score around and progress into the next round of the playoffs? The answer to that question is yes, however they need to play to their full potential for 90 minutes and take the game to Bandirma. The last two matches between the two sides Bandirma have been the better side on both occasions.

This time the match will be at the 19 Mayis Stadium in Ankara with a big Ankaragucu support behind the team. Its difficult to say what kind of attendance their will be due to the ridiculous 1630 kick off time. The Kanka group will be there in their numbers though with Jim and Damon managing to get colleagues to cover them.

Like is said on the match report from Fridays match in Bandirma, the worry for Ankaragucu is the lack of pace. From defence, to midfield right up to the attack its all very one paced and a team full of slow players. The team needs to rely on its technique and experience to get through this tough position they are in. Players like Mehmet Cakir, Mehmet Erdem, Kaan Kanak and Umut Nayir will be so important if Ankaragucu have any chance of progressing.

There has been some mixed news tonight for 3 of the Ankaragucu squad. Youngsters Hasan Ayaroglu, Gokhan Akkan and Onur Atasayer have all been called up to the Turkish U19 squad. However this means they could miss out on some of the playoff matches. Hasan is the only player in the squad along with Onur who has any speed now that Emre Tasdemir is out injured.

Good Luck Ankaragucu, don't let us down !!

Bandirmaspor 1-0 Ankaragucu match report !

Just take a look at the background in the picture, not a single Bandirmaspor fan in sight. It tells you everything you need to know about Bandirma. A small club, who have a small budget and no fans. and yet Ankaragucu have failed to beat them in their last two meetings.

Team - Bayram Olgun, Metin Aydin, Serhat Aykuz, Selim Teber, Mehmet Tasci, Serhat Gulpinar, Muhammed Gonulacar, Kaan Kanak, Mehmet Erdem, Mehmet Cakir, Umut Nayir

Subs - Gokhan Akkan, Volkan Geyik, Orhan Evci, Harun Aydin, Bilal Gundogdu, Omer Yalcin, Onur Atasayer

The one thing that stands out when you look at that Ankaragucu team is the lack of pace. The team is made up of some of the slowest players in Turkey. The older players are on their last legs, and the young players don't have any turn of pace in their game. Losing Emre Tasdemir and Levent Kale has been a huge blow for Ankaragucu who have become far to predictable and one paced.

After last weekends dreadful performance in Bandirma for the last league game of the season, we expected Ankaragucu to lift their game for the playoff match. But instead an even poorer performance followed.

The teams went in 0-0 at half time, and it took until the 60th minute for the deadlock to be broken. Unfortunately for the large traveling support, it wasn't for Ankaragucu. Instead it was Hakki Ismet who gave Bandirma the lead.

Things could have been a lot worse when Timur Kosovali had the opportunity to make it 2-0 Bandirma with 2 minutes remaining. But Bayram Oglun saved the penalty to keep Ankaragucu in the tie.

Both teams meet again on Tuesday at the 19 Mayis stadium in Ankara. The fans will be there despite the disgusting TFF appointed 1630 kick off time, will the players turn up? Or will it be another disappointing result for Ankaragucu?

AND SO, THE LOTTERY BEGINS !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

It's nail biting time now in Ankara from KO today at 4.30pm until the 31st May Final which hopefully Ankaragucu will contest.

Ankaragucu kick-off their Play-Off match today in Bandirma in what is the 1st Leg of the Quarter Final.  

Having watched the highlights of last Sunday's league match in Bandirma which Nadeem put up on fb, it will have to be a 100% team effort from Ankaragucu to bring something back to Ankara for the 2nd Leg next Tuesday.

Arguably our two best players, Levent and Emre, are still out injured so the onus is on the Coach to instil confidence into the players who have taken their place in the team.

Most of this mornings newspapers make Ankaragucu favourites to reach the final, but that counts for little in the Lottery of the Play-Offs.  

We have blasted the TFF here and fb for their unbelievable decision to make the Play-Off matches KO at 4.30pm which conveniently bars all the working supporters like the Kanka Group from attending.   Aaaaaargh ......... when will the TFF wake up and realise that the bread and butter of footie are the supporters !!!!!   Also, there will be no TV coverage.   So, we will rely on Nadeem to give us a report if he is able.

Otherwise, at least I'll put the score up later tonight.

Go to it Ankaragucu !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu 1-1 Bandirmaspor match report !

This seasons Lig 2 campaign came to an end today as Ankaragucu drew 1-1 with Bandirmaspor. Both sides will have it all to do again as they now face each other in the playoffs. Ankaragucu finish a disappointing 3rd after Alanyaspor destroyed Korfez to clinch the 2nd spot. Altinordu were crowned champions with Eyupspor, Istanbul Gungorenspor and Bozoyukspor all relegated.

Team - Bayram Olgun, Orhan Evci, Volkan Geyik, Selim Teber, Onur Atasayer, Serhat Gulpinar, Mehmet Cakir, Muhammed Gonulacar, Mehmet Erdem, Kaan Kanak, Omer Yalcin

Subs - Gokhan Akkan, Metin Aydin, Serhat Aykuz, Bilal Gundogdu, Harun Aydin, Mehmet Tasci, Umut Nayir

The season started with Ankaragucu favourites to clinch promotion back to the PTT Lig. The team invested in the squad with some big signings in Selim Teber, Serhat Gulpinar, Mehmet Cakir, Erhan Guven to name a few. However it was low spending Altinordu who were to become champions and deserved champions at that to.

On paper Ankaragucu have the strongest squad in the league. But to many times this season inconsistency has been a problem along with the inability to defend. The team now go into the playoffs and are 5 matches away from returning the the PTT Lig.

Again on paper Ankaragucu should be able to beat both Bandirma and the winners of Alanyaspor vs Diyarbakir BB without to much problems. However throughout the season Ankaragucu have dropped points to all 3 teams.

Todays match ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to a late strike from Kaan Kanak. Ankaragucu were without Emre Tasdemir, Volkan Yilmaz, Levent Kale, Aytac Oden and rested Umut Nayir who was dropped to the bench.

The playoff match between the two sides is next week in Bandirma with next Friday night being mentioned on Facebook. I will confirm this during the week. As the saying in Scotland goes, get the finger out Ankaragucu, its time to show us what your made of !

Playoff Ties

Bandirmaspor vs Ankaragucu
Diyarbakir BB vs Alanyaspor

Kartalspor vs Goztepe
Yeni Malatayaspor vs Hatayspor

Ankaragucu vs Bandirmaspor match preview!

Ankaragucu travel to Istanbul tomorrow to bring down the curtain for what has been an inconsistent season for the club. With the highest budget in the league the Ankaragucu management will know they should have had enough in their locker to win this division. All is not lost however as both clubs have sealed their playoff places.

After tomorrows match, Ankaragucu have 5 matches to play in their bid to return to the PTT Lig at the first time of asking. Ankaragucu and Bandirma will be joined by Alanyaspor and Diyarbakir BB from the red group. While in the white group it goes down to the last day of the season between Giresunspor, Goztepe and Hatayspor who will become champion. Yeni Malatayaspor have secured their playoff spot while Kartalspor, Pendikspor and Inegolspor will all fight it out for their place. An Ankaragucu vs Goztepe final could be one of the most fiery encounters in Turkish football history.

Ankaragucu will be without Levent Kale, Volkan Yilmaz, Emre Tasdemir and Aytac Oden through injury tomorrow. It will give the likes of Hasan Ayaroglu and Mehmet Erden another chance to impress as the players will have to be on their toes to keep their place in the team for the playoffs. The one position Ankaragucu need to address is the defence. The goals the team has conceded over the season have been the reason why Ankaragucu never achieved automatic promotion. Even last week against Altay the two goals conceded were of an amateur standard.

That said both Bayram Olgun and Gokhan Akkan need to step up their game with neither able to hold down the number 1 spot this season. Gokhan is young and still learning, but Bayram is an experienced goalkeeper and needs to do better.

Mehmet Cakir and Umut Nayir have been amongst the goals again of late and Ankaragucu will be relying on them again tomorrow. Umut has attracted the attention of Super Lig sides as well as Samsunspor. Another season at this level and the youngsters of Ankaragucu might find the offers of clubs in a higher division to hard to turn down.

As i write this report Hibs are 1-0 down at home against Kilmarnock thanks to a Kris Boyd goal. Hibs could be joining Rangers, Hearts and Raith Rovers in the Championship next season. What a prospect that could be.

ANKARAGUCU FLATTER TO DECIEVE …..... AGAIN !!!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

It was a cloudy but rain-free day when we met up at the Stadium Cafe. Naaarich Kankie Lucy, Maniac Kanka Harun, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon and Paddy Kanka Paul. Lots of Turkish Tea, Turkish chatting and watching the Amateur matches on the Astro Turf pitches.

Team - Gokhan Akkan, Serhat Aykuz, Aydin Toscali, Selim Teber, Mehmet Tasci, Muhammed Gonulacar, Serhat Gulpinar, Volkan Yilmaz, Hasan Ayaroglu, Mehmet Cakir, Umut Nayir

Subs - Bayram Olgun, Metin Aydin, Volkan Geyik, Onur Atasayer, Omer Yalcin, Kaan Kanak, Mehmet Erdem Ugurlu

Into the Stadium we went to be confronted with our star striker, Levent, hobbling down the touchline on crutches and into Gecikondu he went for the whole match. Absolutely bloody amazing thing for him to do and we all take our hats off to him for his loyalty to the fans !

The Gecikondu and Maraton tribunes were full as usual, and the good news was that Aydin was back as our Club Captain after recovering from injury. There were 30 loyal Altay fans in the away end !

The teams came out and the Ankaragucu team were carrying a banner which read …...... 'please don't park your car in the handicapped peoples spaces'. Was it an illusion, or did we see lots of Ankaragucu fans rushing for the exits ??!!!

ANKARAGUCU 4 Altay 2

It was fairly end to end stuff for the first 10 minutes with both teams trying to settle. However, it was Altay who settled first and scored a fortuitous 1^st goal on the 13^th minute mark when a shot at goal was deflected by an Ankaragucu defender to wrong foot Gokhan and open the scoring.

The customary Bursaspor song was sung in Maraton on the 16^th minute, but Gecikondu were otherwise engaged in a song of their own and missed out !

It was around the 20^th minute that I was quoted as saying …......... 'Ankaragucu is playing pathetic footie and haven't even troubled their goalkeeper' !

However, no sooner had I said that than the equaliser arrived. It was a free kick just outside the box, and my Man of the Match, Selim, sent a great free kick around the Wall and into the corner.

Here we go, we were thinking, but …....... no …........ 2 minutes later and a Keystone Cops comedy show occurred in the Ankaragucu box when Gokhan and a defender both went for the ball and then hesitated. Thanks very much says the incoming Altay forward to waltz the ball into the empty net with Gokan and the defender looking at each other …......... in what ? Dismay ? Point of fact ….......... it is the goalkeeper's responsibility to take control of anything in the area. Gokhan, you must take the blame for this stupidity !!!!

Altay had their tails up now and with 3 minutes remaining they almost snatched the 3^rd, but a punched clearance from Gokhan saved the day.

So to half time and there can be no doubting that the best team were in front.

As the 2^nd half was about to start, good news at last. Kaan was coming on yesssssssss ! Without absent Levent, Kaan and Emre, the Ankaragucu team was definitely lacking in 'team' spirit.

Selim rose to the occasion for the 2^nd time when he shot home the equaliser on the 54^th minute after some great build up work from Ankaragucu who were beginning to show some fighting spirit. I was right behind the line of fire and his swerving shot took a deflection off the post to canon in.

15 minutes later and then came the Goal of the Match. It was lovely tip-tap footie which Pepe would have been proud of between Kaan and Mehmet, for Umut to fire in for a fantastic goal.

It was almost 4 three minutes later when Selim's shot-cum-cross hit the post and then was collected by the goalkeeper.

This was not the Ankaragucu of the 1^st half and I've said this many times here …......... the players must be playing for 90 minutes and not …..... 45 !!!

15 minutes to go and another great goal. This time it was Mehmet Cakir who curled a free kick around the Wall for the 4^th goal and the celebrations began.

The bad news is that Alanya also won today so it is …... as you were with only one point separting Ankaragucu from Alanya.

Next week's last match takes on mammoth considerations in the quest for 2^nd Place. It is a MUST WIN match against a strong Bandirma team who currently lie in 4^th place in the league and will also be in the Play-Offs.

Bring it on.

So, back to the Chopin to celebrate a good win (in the end) and to watch Naaaarich City take a point from Chelsinki.    A win next week at Carrow Road will see the Ingallish Canaries survive in the Premier League.   Let's hope that happens and we can celebrate with Naaaarich Kankie Lucy when we watch Atletico Madrid win the Champions League !!!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim