Ankaragucu vs Kastamonuspor match preview!

Ankaragucu travel to in form Kastamonuspor on Friday knowing if results go their way, they will be crowned Lig 2 Kirmizi group champions.

The ironic thing about Kastamonuspor is that a 3-1 victory in Ankara back in December the last time the two sides met has been the turning point of their season. They were languishing in the bottom half of the league until they won that match. Since then they have went 17 games without a defeat and are fighting it out with Karsiyaka for a playoff place.

Ankaragucu fans will be familiar with their key players, Hasan Ayaroglu and and Mehmet Cakir who both spent a large part of their careers at Ankaragucu. Salih Sefercik also played for Ankaragucu last season and is a key player for the home side.

Hasan in particular has been key to the success of Kastamonuspor this season. He has scored 8 goals from midfield as well as creating numerous goals and will need to be marked closely if Ankaragucu are to have any chance of taking points.

Ankaragucu were for 70 minutes against Tuzlaspor very poor at the weekend but somehow came away with the 3 points. We defended well for most of the match apart from two lapses in concentration, one which led to the goal. It was our attacking play that was most disappointing. Two many poor crosses or woeful finishing let Ankaragucu down in the final 3rd.

It was the introduction of Enes Kubat that changed the game. Ankaragucu went 4-4-2 with Enes partnering Muharrem up top and it worked. Muharrem won the flick ons in the air, and Enes got in behind with his pace. I would like to see us start with the same team that ended the match including Hursit replacing Emre at left back.

Ankaragucu are 4 points clear with 3 games remaining. Gumushanespor travel to Sariyer on Friday afternoon knowing they must win if they are to have any chance of winning the title.

Their will be an army of Ankaragucu fans making their way to Kastamonu on Friday afternoon including our very own Harun and his friend the Horseman. Harun will be doing the match report, hopefully it's a positive one and we are celebrating another Ankaragucu victory, or even better the Title!!

A Scotsmans guide to the Ankaragucu Kanka Group!

This was my 5th trip to Ankara to watch one of Turkeys oldest and most historical clubs, Ankaragucu! Most people just don't get it, why would someone from Scotland travel all the way to Turkey to support a team in the Turkish 3rd tier. Questions would still be asked if i were travelling to watch one of the Istanbul clubs, but at least it would be easier for people to grasp, especially as the trio of Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray dominate Turkish football and at least win trophies.

To really understand, we need to take a we trip down memory lane, but even then it just sounds nuts and difficult to explain. I have always been a keen follower of Turkish football. I remember watching Galatasaray vs Man Utd when i was young, thinking the atmosphere and passion of the fans are incredible and one day i would love to take in a game. After years of watching the games, i decided in 2009 to chose a team to give me some interest.

I looked at all the teams in the Super Lig and when looking them up on google, stumbled across this exact blog. I noticed a picture of a red haired whiter than white Scottish guy, and thought he looks more Scottish than Turkish. Turns out the guy in question Jim Chalmers (we will forgive him being a Hibs fan) was actually Scottish and a season ticket holder at Ankaragucu for many years.

After an initial chat with him, i decided to book flights for myself and my girlfriend Rebecca a couple of months later and took in my first game vs Fenerbahce. Although we lost that match, the trip lived up to everything i imagined with the atmosphere and passion of the fans, and i was already planning my next trip.

Since then i have taken in 4 more trips, first against Bursaspor where we lost 5-1, then my first match watching the team win which was a 1-0 win over Kartalspor, and then a fantastic 5-0 win over Pazarspor.

The above still doesn't explain why i continue to make the trip back over to Ankara every season or so. Over the years i have developed a friendship for life with the Kanka Group and yet again i was overwhelmed by their hospitality and kindness on my most recent trip last week.

The Kanka Group is made up of Ankaragucu fans who are both Turkish Nationals and ex pats, we also have Genclerbirligi Kankas who follow the other Ankara team. For anyone visiting Ankara, or even if you live there i would highly recommend joining these guys for a match as they won't disappoint.

I arrived in Ankara on the early hours of Friday morning where i stayed at the Kayra Hotel in Kizily. Excellent location, friendly staff and overall enjoyed a nice stay and an affordable price. After a couple of hour sleep i headed over to Bestepe Facilities where the team trains and met with my friend Coskun Basak who is the clubs Social Media guy and looks after the website. We had a good chat about Ankaragucu and politics before i met with Ferhat Culcuoglu and Muharram Ozan Cengiz two of Ankaragucu star players this season.

Coskun then introduced me to Mehmet Yiginer who is the president of Ankaragucu and kindly posed for a photo with me before heading off to Friday prayers with the team and fans. There aren't many clubs who will keep their door open to fans and take the time to chat and pose for pictures, but thats all part of Ankaragucu and the family club that they are.

After purchasing the new kit and a tracksuit top at the official club store, i headed over to meet up with Harun at his shop in Kizily. Harun is known as the Maniac, but don't be put off by that, because a nicer and more caring guy you won't find. Harun runs his own shop making T Shirts, Strips, Flags etc for Ankaragucu fans, Schools, and even fans of other clubs. He kindly made myself and Jim nice Ankaragucu T Shirts with the Scotland flag on it, and he has some other excellent t shirts that he has prepared for us becoming champions. As you can see from the picture below, I'm still trying to convert Harun to a Rangers fan, as the Maniac is a big fan of Raith Rovers (long story, i think he is the Turkish Nadeem Raja lol)

Later on that night, myself and Harun met up with Damon, John, Tansu, Murat and the Horseman for some drinks and food at a local bar. It was great to meet up with these guys again and have a good chat about Ankaragucu, football and Kemal Mustafa Ataturk.

Saturday was a wash out, literally! The rain was so heavy that it was actually like standing in a shower and myself and Tansu got soaked standing in the queue waiting to buy tickets. Thankfully Coskun saw us standing and came over and asked us how many tickets we wanted, and kindly brought them over to us. After drying off in Starbucks i headed by to the Hotel until dinner where Harun had arranged a night at a place called Kanatci.

Myself, Harun, Damon, John, Tansu, Ahmet (who i met for the first time), and Jim all met up at Kanatci for what was an excellent night. A traditional Turkish Restaurant with a live band, and amazing food. Harun done a fantastic job with this place, although I'm not sure he will remember any of the night after drinking a full bottle of Raki. Kinetic is one of these places that you won't even know exists as it is well hidden, but if you are ever in Ankara you must give it a go as its great value for money.

Match day arrived, and it was an early rise for me as i agreed to meet with Oguzhan Solmaz from Baskent Media and Muhammed Erdogan from Sporanki to do an interview. We had breakfast in Kizily and done a Facebook live interview on Baskent Media. The support and nice comments i received from the Ankaragucu fans for travelling from Scotland to watch the game was fantastic. They really do appreciate people from the outside coming to support their club.

After the interview, we headed off to the stadium to do another interview, this time with TRT the Turkish TV channel who are filming a documentary about Ankaragucu. They interviewed myself and Jim and it will be broadcast either in May or October. I also met with Onur Erdogan who kindly popped in to meet with me and thank me for coming to the game.

The game itself was eventful and the fans didn't disappoint. Over 25,000 fans attended the game and created a fantastic atmosphere. There were a couple of excellent displays and pyro followed by 90 minutes of fanatical singing and chanting. The game itself was pretty poor and it looked like we were heading for a defeat with Tuzla taking the lead on the 83rd minute.

Everyone was saying how gutted they were that i had come all this way to watch the team lose. Then the equaliser came 2 minutes later. That was followed by one of the best spectacles I've ever seen at a football match. Ankaragucu scored a 92nd minute winner and the place erupted, the scenes were fantastic and the party between players and fans lasted for about 20 minutes after the game.

Even after the game, fans were stopping to get their picture taken and had nothing but kind comments. It really is overwhelming that people want to take the time to speak with you because you are following their team from afar.

The Kanka Group again provided me with a fantastic weekend and i can't thank them enough for everything. These guys are the reason why i keep coming back and will continue to do so. Ankaragucu are a club with many financial problems and have been abused by politicians over the years. But even when they are on their knees there fans still are loyal to the core and they deserve this title which is within touching distance!!!

ANKARAGUCU LEAVE IT LATE BUT DELIVER THE 3 POINTS IN HONOUR OF NADEEM’S VISIT !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu moved 4 points clear at the top of the league after defeating Tuzla today, and Gumush.....spit....hane only managed to draw at home to Nigde.

ANKARAGUCU   2               Tuzlaspor   1

Team – Korcan, Serkan, Alihan, Cenk, Emre Kara, Orhan, Emre S, Omer, Muhammed, Muharrem and Kenan      Substitutes – Harun and Enes

The kankas met-up at the TSYD Restaurant opposite the Stadium for tea and coffee – we over-indulged ourselves last night enjoying Ankara’s night life !), Maniac Kanka Harun, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Posh Kanka Ahmet, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Apple Kanka Erman, Cider Kanka John No1, Newby Kanka John No2, Guests Murat Kaya and Emir from Pegasus.

Nadeem being interviewed by TRT.

We were then interviewed outside the Stadium by TRT and this interview will be screened by TRT in August to commemorate the founding of Ankaragucu in August 2010.   Exact details of the screening date and time will be given here when known !

The Stadium was full again with only 5 lonely souls in the away end and the atmosphere was amazing.   The players were given a rousing welcome when they entered to start the match and Maraton put on a Blue and Yellow Show (similar to Gecikondu’s last week) for the National Anthem as can be seen in the photo above.

After all the pre-match hype, the first half was a bore as a footie spectacle.

Ankaragucu went straight into attack from the off, but it was Tuzla that almost caught Ankaragucu on the break in the 4^th minute but Korcan saved bravely at a Tuzla forward’s feet when he was about to shoot and score.

The Bursa song was sung in the 16 minute as usual, but after that there was only 3 goal attempts by Ankaragucu before the half time whistle.

So, as I said, it was a poor first half and I was thinking at the interval that things could only get better.    Yes, they did, but not before we had some anxious nail biting moments !

There was a significant improvement in the urgency from the Ankaragucu players in the 2^nd half as they laid siege to the Tuzla goal.   Muharrem should have scored 2 minutes into the re-start but he lost his footing when about to shoot in a good position.

9 minutes later Serkan should have scored when he worked his way cleverly into the box on the right but shot tamely at the goalkeeper.

Tuzla was looking dangerous on the break and they almost scored 3 minutes later but the shot on goal went narrowly past the post.    9 minutes later Enes should have scored when put clean through, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper.

I was contemplating yet another home draw with 7 minutes remaining when the unthinkable happened.   In another Tuzla breakaway, the long ball was played out to the unmarked No7 who brought the ball under control and shot to the near post.    At first I thought it was saved but apparently the ball squirmed in across the line before Korcan could recover.   We were all stunned into silence and disbelief !

2 minutes later we were all back up on our feet singing and shouting and high fiving !!!   A long clearance from Korcan was headed to Enes who brought the ball under control, saw the goalkeeper coming to meet him, and cleverly lobbed the ball over him and into the net for the equaliser.

At that point we were all agreed that we would settle for one point.   However, the players were of another mind !     The clock was on the 90^th minute mark and a long ball was played out of defence which was collected by Kenan and he sent in a screamer of a shot from just inside the penalty box to put us all into euphoria.    We all went mental !!!

The players then did a lap of honour, followed by Coach Izmet Tasdemir and Chairman Mehmet Yigner.    Very few punters were leaving the Stadium at this point !

Off we went to Bira Park for some refreshments, but not tea and coffee this time !

So, the curtain came down on another successful visit by Nadeem and we all wish him a safe journey back to Scotland tomorrow.

The Scottish contingent of the Ankaragucu Kanka Group in TShirts designed and printed by TShirtmatik of Ankara

Next up is the tricky journey to Kastamonou next Friday when hopefully Harun will be doing the honours of reporting on that match.   

Keep watching this space as Ankaragucu resume their task of winning this league and returning to the PTT Championship League next season.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

A lucky point

Yet another pathetic result for Genclerbirligi. I guess I should be slightly happy because we really should have lost this match.

Genclerbirligi 1 - 1 Antalyaspor

Just me down at the Alerta Pub to find that some German documentary crew were in there interviewing someone from Taraf-der (the football supporters' association) about the way fans are treated in Turkey, particularly from the point of view of female supporters. Let's just say that it won't be an advertisement for Turkish football.

"Is that enough negative points or do you want some more?"  

Off to the stadium and Gencler went ahead nice and early thanks to a great cross from Serdar (I think) which found Aydin's head and in.

Then it was all rubbish.

A few minutes after taking the lead Ugur Ciftci failed to control a simple ball and allowed an Antalya player through on goal. 1-1. There was lots of shouting from the Gencler players and it was no suprise when Ciftci was subbed out only half way through the first half.

Khalili was having a particularly bad day and there was some ironic applause from various Alkaralar when he got a second (undeserved) yellow. Down to 10 men and well... just bloody lucky to hang on to the draw.

ANKARAGUCU NOW PAYING THE PRICE OF THEIR PROFLIGACY !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The Ankaragucu players have only themselves to blame for the situation they are in at the moment.   As Nadeem has said many times this season, Ankaragucu should have pissed this league with the standard of teams in the league, and they have never had a better chance of automatic promotion than this season.

However, they have blown every chance they have had since the beginning of 2017 and the statistics are there to prove it.   Drawn FIVE and lost one, and the loss was against the challenging team Gumush....spit.....hane !     All those critical dropped points has seen Gumush pushing forward and making a serious challenge to win this league and subject Ankaragucu to yet another play-off lottery against some of the strong teams in the White  League.

So, as I said, the pressure is now well and truly back in the court of the players for the last four games, two of which will be no easy task to win.   With Kastamonou and Hatay challenging for play-off places, Ankaragucu can expect no easy ride when they play those two teams, especially the away match in Kastamonou.

Hopefully those home drawn matches against relegation candidates Kirklareli, Tokat and Menemen will not come back to haunt Ankaragucu !!!

What we supporters need now is a heap of patience, and what the players need is giving 100% for 90 plus minutes in our last four matches, starting on Sunday in the home match against Tuzla.

Please don’t blow-it now Ankaragucu !!!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Gencler depress some more

"He looks like a man trying to pick up middle-aged women in a bar in Cyprus," Spine said when he saw Besiktas coach Senol Gunes. At least we had a laugh at that. Everything else was rubbish.

"Hello Ladies"

Besiktas 3 - 0 Genclerbirligi

It may have been a few weeks since I last posted here. You haven't missed much. The chairman died and was replaced by his son. The team itself are just going along on their mediocre way. Speaking to a few fans last night I found out I'm not the only one to be deflated. The failure of the club to find any decent players during the half-season break. The failure of the club to hold onto its two best young players. The failure to win important matches... all depressing.

And so it was again last night. Good to see a full Alerta Pub with Spine, Flying Dutchman Kanka and me making up the foreign contingent. I guess it was due to the decent time.

Then the football and... back to depressing... Out of all the millions of foreigners we have on our books there are only two half decent players, Paletsevic and Hopf... the rest deserve to go back to the Belgium second division where we seem to do our buying nowadays.

We had maybe one shot all match.

errrgghhhhh

Ankaragucu held at Bugsass!

Let's first of all start with the off field chaos today before we look at the match itself. Today top of the table Ankaragucu travelled a couple of miles across the city to play against local rivals Bugsasspor. At the start of play Ankaragucu were 4 points clear of Gumushanespor who away at Tokatspor.

The match was played at the Ostim Stadium which holds just over 5,000 although you could probably fit more people in. Over 3,000 Ankaragucu fans travelled for the match but Bugsass only gave the club an allocation of 250 tickets.

The stadium itself was empty, only a handful of Bugsass fans were in attendance, and instead of opening the gates to allow the thousands of Ankaragucu fans in they made them stand on the roads looking through gates and standing on rooftops of apartments.

Much to their credit the Ankaragucu fans were well behaved up until the cops started to fire pepper spray and tier gas on the fans. This was before kick off and the mood of the fans changed after this.

Onto the match itself before we go back and discuss the disgusting and disgraceful behaviour of the Police towards the Ankaragucu fans after the match.

Team - Korcan, Serkan, Sezgin, Cenk, Mehmet, Muhammad, Ferhat, Harun, Erhan, Omer, Kenan

There can be no excuse for the performance from the Ankaragucu team today, especially the first half. We didn't even muster a shot on goal against a team who haven't won in 14 attempts. Polatli took the lead through Resit Sevindir with a great finish into the top corner of the net.

Half Time

Bugsaspor 1-0 Ankaragucu


Into the second half and it was slightly better from Ankaragucu, there was more urgency in attack, but the overall play was poor and not worthy of winning a championship. We did get back on level terms through Muharrem Ozan who made it 1-1. Sadly there was to be no winning goal and it was 2 points dropped as Gumushanespor won 1-0 at Tokatspor.

That brings us to the final minutes of the game, the Ankaragucu fans were still watching outside when suddenly the police in tanks came in spraying pepper spray and gas for no reason other than to move them. The spray came into the stadium and fans, match officials and police were all choking on the pepper spray and gas.

The fans left the stadium in distress and emptied out onto the streets where other fans were on the ground injured. There is no excuse for this type of behaviour from the police, Polatli municipality and Melih Gokcek. The Ankaragucu fans were treated yet again like Rats and terrorists.

Now we face more punishment and most likely a stadium ban for next weeks match against Tuzlaspor which I will be travelling over for. Not a good day at all for the club.