It's taken a while to make my first post of the season, but I have to comment on Pompey's result today against Reading in the Premiership - a 7-4 win has put us in 5th place after 8 games, which is pretty good when you consider that we have played each of the "Big 4" already. However, Reading also missed a penalty, which could have made the final result even more interesting!
And as the mighty hibees also won today, 4-1, putting them in 3rd, and Ankaragucu riding high, we could be in for an exciting season, with some potential European meetings next season?!
The Round Ball in Ankara! Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)
Saturday, September 29, 2007
ANKARAGUCU AND THE BATTLE OF SAKARYA CADDESI MARK 2
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
It started off so well and then it degenerated into the Battle of Sakarya Caddesi Mark 2, which thankfully wasn’t as violent as the Battle of Sakarya Caddesi Mark 1 which took place many moons ago. But first .....................……………… the footie.
Fenerbahce 2 ANKARAGUCU 0
Eski Kanka was first into The Chopin Bar to commandeer 3 tables, which would in the end prove insufficient for the Gathering of the Kanka Clan ! Next up came Mountaineering Kanka Robbie with his entourage of beautiful `Bilkent Babes`, Kasha, Jennifer, Alix and Julie. Also Iain, Phillip, Andrew and then Oz Kanka Chris. Followed by Rip Off Kanka Erman, Maniac Kanka Harun (who would later take `centre stage` in the Battle of Sakarya Caddesi Mark 2), Yankee Kanka, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, another beautiful `Bilkent Babe` Abby, Ted, Ian, Tansu and Omur. 19 kankas and surely a World Record attendance by the Kanka Group for a match ?!
Expectations were fairly high, but tempered with the knowledge that Fener have shown this season that they can play a bit, ie, the Inter Milan match !
The match got underway with ANKARAGUCU in their customary 4-4-2 formation and trying to attack Fener by playing their passing game through midfield. However, it was Serkan who was the busier keeper with ANKARAGUCU’s attacks breaking down near the penalty area and Volkan only having to deal with long shots.
Win 10 minutes of the 1st half remaining, I was contemplating going in at 0-0 and perhaps a frustrated Fener lining up for the 2nd half. Wrong !!
A corner from Alex swung in to the near post was met by Aurelio who scored with a glancing header with Serkan rooted to the spot. Herr Briegel will be asking why he was allowed a free header unchallenged !! A classic goal though and all credit to Aurelio for taking his chance.
ANKARAGUCU kept pressing forward until the half time whistle but the Fener defence were in control and Volkan never in danger of having to make a save.
Into the 2nd half then and more of the same. ANKARAGUCU getting bogged down in midfield with some long range shots, mostly off target. In all honesty it was probably the easiest match Volkan has had this season !
At the other end it was `all hands to the pumps` ! Serkan was performing miracles with Emre and Co mopping up the now frequent Fener attacks.
It was at this point when Maniac Kanka showed all the new kankas why he was well named by Kirkcaldy Kanka a few seasons ago ! Our singing of ANKARAGUCU songs gradually turned to slagging off the Fener `supporters` in front of us in the Chopin Bar.
I put parenthesis around `supporters` on purpose because they are what I call `armchair supporters`, ie, they probably have never been to Kadikoy and only `support` Fener in the comfort of their own homes or pubs in Ankara. If any of them read this Blog (which I doubt) they should try and realise that Sakarya Caddesi belongs to ANKARAGUCU supporters and my advice to them is….. don’t wave a red flag at a Bull !!!
I have to confess that I didn’t see the last goal scored by one of the Fener substitutes (not important who !!) in time added on because I was trying to keep Maniac Kanka under control, ably assisted by Yankee Kanka.
Unfortunately, my efforts proved fruitless when Maniac Kanka proceeded to question the parentage of the Fener `supporters` !! Also, I doubt that those `supporters` mothers were female dogs, although Maniace Kanka was convinced that they were !!!
All hell broke loose at the final whistle with the Fener `supporters` baying for Maniac Kanka’s blood ! They were being restrained by Yankee Kanka and the bar staff, while yours truly was trying to restrain Maniac Kanka !
It was then that Maniac Kanka phoned for `The Cavalry` ! Almost immediately about 60 ANKARAGUCU supporters turned up and most of the Fener `supporters` scarpered. Those few who remained `broke into silence` and a war was averted !
What to do to take Maniac Kanka out of the `danger zone` ? We bundled him into a taxi and took him to the less dangerous venue called The Red Lion Club where there were lots of Ingallish hooligans watching the funny shaped ball world cup match.
I thought………….. if that doesn’t sober him up, nothing will !!!!
Back to footie again, and it was quite clear that Fener deserved to win the match. The ANKARAGUCU midfield spent most of the match protecting and supporting the back 4 rather than supporting the strikers. Once again, Bebbe was `The Lone Ranger` for most of the match.
Herr Briegel has some serious thinking to do before next weekend. ANKARAGUCU will be at home against Sivasspor. More details nearer the time.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim the Pacifier
It started off so well and then it degenerated into the Battle of Sakarya Caddesi Mark 2, which thankfully wasn’t as violent as the Battle of Sakarya Caddesi Mark 1 which took place many moons ago. But first .....................……………… the footie.
Fenerbahce 2 ANKARAGUCU 0
Eski Kanka was first into The Chopin Bar to commandeer 3 tables, which would in the end prove insufficient for the Gathering of the Kanka Clan ! Next up came Mountaineering Kanka Robbie with his entourage of beautiful `Bilkent Babes`, Kasha, Jennifer, Alix and Julie. Also Iain, Phillip, Andrew and then Oz Kanka Chris. Followed by Rip Off Kanka Erman, Maniac Kanka Harun (who would later take `centre stage` in the Battle of Sakarya Caddesi Mark 2), Yankee Kanka, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, another beautiful `Bilkent Babe` Abby, Ted, Ian, Tansu and Omur. 19 kankas and surely a World Record attendance by the Kanka Group for a match ?!
Expectations were fairly high, but tempered with the knowledge that Fener have shown this season that they can play a bit, ie, the Inter Milan match !
The match got underway with ANKARAGUCU in their customary 4-4-2 formation and trying to attack Fener by playing their passing game through midfield. However, it was Serkan who was the busier keeper with ANKARAGUCU’s attacks breaking down near the penalty area and Volkan only having to deal with long shots.
Win 10 minutes of the 1st half remaining, I was contemplating going in at 0-0 and perhaps a frustrated Fener lining up for the 2nd half. Wrong !!
A corner from Alex swung in to the near post was met by Aurelio who scored with a glancing header with Serkan rooted to the spot. Herr Briegel will be asking why he was allowed a free header unchallenged !! A classic goal though and all credit to Aurelio for taking his chance.
ANKARAGUCU kept pressing forward until the half time whistle but the Fener defence were in control and Volkan never in danger of having to make a save.
Into the 2nd half then and more of the same. ANKARAGUCU getting bogged down in midfield with some long range shots, mostly off target. In all honesty it was probably the easiest match Volkan has had this season !
At the other end it was `all hands to the pumps` ! Serkan was performing miracles with Emre and Co mopping up the now frequent Fener attacks.
It was at this point when Maniac Kanka showed all the new kankas why he was well named by Kirkcaldy Kanka a few seasons ago ! Our singing of ANKARAGUCU songs gradually turned to slagging off the Fener `supporters` in front of us in the Chopin Bar.
I put parenthesis around `supporters` on purpose because they are what I call `armchair supporters`, ie, they probably have never been to Kadikoy and only `support` Fener in the comfort of their own homes or pubs in Ankara. If any of them read this Blog (which I doubt) they should try and realise that Sakarya Caddesi belongs to ANKARAGUCU supporters and my advice to them is….. don’t wave a red flag at a Bull !!!
I have to confess that I didn’t see the last goal scored by one of the Fener substitutes (not important who !!) in time added on because I was trying to keep Maniac Kanka under control, ably assisted by Yankee Kanka.
Unfortunately, my efforts proved fruitless when Maniac Kanka proceeded to question the parentage of the Fener `supporters` !! Also, I doubt that those `supporters` mothers were female dogs, although Maniace Kanka was convinced that they were !!!
All hell broke loose at the final whistle with the Fener `supporters` baying for Maniac Kanka’s blood ! They were being restrained by Yankee Kanka and the bar staff, while yours truly was trying to restrain Maniac Kanka !
It was then that Maniac Kanka phoned for `The Cavalry` ! Almost immediately about 60 ANKARAGUCU supporters turned up and most of the Fener `supporters` scarpered. Those few who remained `broke into silence` and a war was averted !
What to do to take Maniac Kanka out of the `danger zone` ? We bundled him into a taxi and took him to the less dangerous venue called The Red Lion Club where there were lots of Ingallish hooligans watching the funny shaped ball world cup match.
I thought………….. if that doesn’t sober him up, nothing will !!!!
Back to footie again, and it was quite clear that Fener deserved to win the match. The ANKARAGUCU midfield spent most of the match protecting and supporting the back 4 rather than supporting the strikers. Once again, Bebbe was `The Lone Ranger` for most of the match.
Herr Briegel has some serious thinking to do before next weekend. ANKARAGUCU will be at home against Sivasspor. More details nearer the time.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim the Pacifier
Friday, September 28, 2007
LADIES FOOTIE IN THE NEWS
Greetings Kankas and Kankies.
Watching Brazil Ladies take the Yankee Ladies apart last night on BBC World and CNN reminded me that I hadn't updated you on Hibernian Ladies progress for a while.
Last week Hibernian Ladies maintained their unbeaten league tag in defence of their League title when they beat Forfar Farmington 4-0 at home. Kim Little has started where she left off last season by bagging a hat-trick !
Following that match the Hibernian Ladies took on Vale of Clyde (2nd Division side I think) in the Quarter Final of the League Cup and gave them a 17-1 thrashing. Note..... not a misprint.... it was SEVENTEEN !!
Well if the Hibs 1st Team can't win the League Cup this season at least the Ladies Team can have a crack of doing the bizz for them ?!
By the way, and back to the World Cup, Brazil's win puts them into the final against Germany Ladies which should be a cracker of a match. Might be on Euro Sport or Fox ? Please post details if you hear before me.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Watching Brazil Ladies take the Yankee Ladies apart last night on BBC World and CNN reminded me that I hadn't updated you on Hibernian Ladies progress for a while.
Last week Hibernian Ladies maintained their unbeaten league tag in defence of their League title when they beat Forfar Farmington 4-0 at home. Kim Little has started where she left off last season by bagging a hat-trick !
Following that match the Hibernian Ladies took on Vale of Clyde (2nd Division side I think) in the Quarter Final of the League Cup and gave them a 17-1 thrashing. Note..... not a misprint.... it was SEVENTEEN !!
Well if the Hibs 1st Team can't win the League Cup this season at least the Ladies Team can have a crack of doing the bizz for them ?!
By the way, and back to the World Cup, Brazil's win puts them into the final against Germany Ladies which should be a cracker of a match. Might be on Euro Sport or Fox ? Please post details if you hear before me.
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Good Hibs Bad Hibs
The best and worst of Hibs was seen this week when on Sunday they beat Celtic 3-2 at Easter Road only to follow it up with a 4-2 defeat to Motherwell in the CIS cup.
In beating Celtic, Hibs became the last unbeaten team in the SPL after seven games. Hibs victory can largely be down to the Celtic keeper making two very bad blunders. The first after five minutes letting a poor shot bump over him. The second and Hibs third goal came with only three minutes to go when he dropped a shot at the feet of the Hibs striker.
Hibs went ahead twice only for Celtic to peg Hibs back after 30 and 60 minutes. The game looked as if it could swing either way before Hibs late winner. Celtic are always capable of hurting teams and a lot of credit goes to Hibs young players for standing firm.
It was nice to see Scott Brown coming back to Easter Road and not getting stick from the crowd, more than can be said for some of the other Hibs exports. This shows if you are honest and give 100% to the club you will still be held in high regard.
Celtic deserved a point out of the match but for once the goalkeeping howlers worked in our favour. Hibs played a lot of good football although slightly over playing in dangerous areas lead to a couple of Celtic shots.
Sir Eski Kanka can be assured that everyone was upbeat after the game, that was more than on Wednesday night when Motherwell played us off the park. A lot of credit has to go to Motherwell as they came with an attacking line up and went for Hibs.
Hibs took the lead only for Motherwell to hit back three times before halftime. Motherwell added a fourth with ten minutes to go before Hibs grabbed a late consolation.
Disappointing as it is to go out of our cup I would prefer to be picking up the league points. To win both would be nice but after loosing so many players last season I think we are looking at settling the team in preparation for the next bunch promising youngsters.
Hibbee Kanka
In beating Celtic, Hibs became the last unbeaten team in the SPL after seven games. Hibs victory can largely be down to the Celtic keeper making two very bad blunders. The first after five minutes letting a poor shot bump over him. The second and Hibs third goal came with only three minutes to go when he dropped a shot at the feet of the Hibs striker.
Hibs went ahead twice only for Celtic to peg Hibs back after 30 and 60 minutes. The game looked as if it could swing either way before Hibs late winner. Celtic are always capable of hurting teams and a lot of credit goes to Hibs young players for standing firm.
It was nice to see Scott Brown coming back to Easter Road and not getting stick from the crowd, more than can be said for some of the other Hibs exports. This shows if you are honest and give 100% to the club you will still be held in high regard.
Celtic deserved a point out of the match but for once the goalkeeping howlers worked in our favour. Hibs played a lot of good football although slightly over playing in dangerous areas lead to a couple of Celtic shots.
Sir Eski Kanka can be assured that everyone was upbeat after the game, that was more than on Wednesday night when Motherwell played us off the park. A lot of credit has to go to Motherwell as they came with an attacking line up and went for Hibs.
Hibs took the lead only for Motherwell to hit back three times before halftime. Motherwell added a fourth with ten minutes to go before Hibs grabbed a late consolation.
Disappointing as it is to go out of our cup I would prefer to be picking up the league points. To win both would be nice but after loosing so many players last season I think we are looking at settling the team in preparation for the next bunch promising youngsters.
Hibbee Kanka
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Stumpf signs for Genclerbirligi
Reinhard Stumpf signed on the dotted line this morning and we now have ourselves a coach. No idea what the salary deal is, nothing in the agency reports.
Which has got me thinking. Turkish people, whether be friends or strangers, have no sense of embarrassment when it comes to asking how much I earn but then when it comes to things like footballers salaries practically no information is ever given, the exact opposite to where I come from.
Stumpf gave all the required cliched answers to questions from reporters at today's signing. "Genclerbirligi were a very good team when I was playing in Turkey," "In my opinion the training facilities (of Gencler) are the best"... etc etc
Although I did like what he said when asked what he thought of our 1-1 draw with Konya over the weekend, saying something about not enough attack! Too damn right.
Good luck Herr Stumpf.
Which has got me thinking. Turkish people, whether be friends or strangers, have no sense of embarrassment when it comes to asking how much I earn but then when it comes to things like footballers salaries practically no information is ever given, the exact opposite to where I come from.
Stumpf gave all the required cliched answers to questions from reporters at today's signing. "Genclerbirligi were a very good team when I was playing in Turkey," "In my opinion the training facilities (of Gencler) are the best"... etc etc
Although I did like what he said when asked what he thought of our 1-1 draw with Konya over the weekend, saying something about not enough attack! Too damn right.
Good luck Herr Stumpf.
THE TURKISH CUP - ANKARAGUCU DO IT THE HARD WAY !
Greetings Kankas and Kankies
Yesterday in the 2nd Round of the Turkish Cup…………..
Tepecik Buyuk Belediye Spor 1 ANKARAGUCU 3 (aet)
Making it into the group stage of the Turkish Cup is the object of the exercise, but of course, ANKARAGUCU like to do things the hard way by playing 120 minutes rather than the regulation 90 minutes !
Herr Briegel gave his squad `fringe players` a run out yesterday against the 2nd Division side, but that should never be used as an excuse for struggling against a lower league team.
Tepecik opened the scoring just before half time and that’s how it stayed until Jaba spared the blushes with 10 minutes of the match remaining. By the way, Jaba played for the entire 120 minutes which proves that Herr Briegel reads our Blog and takes my advice !!
After 5 minutes of extra time, Captain Courageous, Emre, made it safe with the 2nd goal and Alper made sure 5 minutes later.
Our `old` goalkeeper, and a previous Turkish International, Zafer, made his season’s debut. Also, Bebbe, Dursun, El Yasa and Cem Can were `rested`.
So, job done.
Now its back to league business on Friday.
Bring on Fener !!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Yesterday in the 2nd Round of the Turkish Cup…………..
Tepecik Buyuk Belediye Spor 1 ANKARAGUCU 3 (aet)
Making it into the group stage of the Turkish Cup is the object of the exercise, but of course, ANKARAGUCU like to do things the hard way by playing 120 minutes rather than the regulation 90 minutes !
Herr Briegel gave his squad `fringe players` a run out yesterday against the 2nd Division side, but that should never be used as an excuse for struggling against a lower league team.
Tepecik opened the scoring just before half time and that’s how it stayed until Jaba spared the blushes with 10 minutes of the match remaining. By the way, Jaba played for the entire 120 minutes which proves that Herr Briegel reads our Blog and takes my advice !!
After 5 minutes of extra time, Captain Courageous, Emre, made it safe with the 2nd goal and Alper made sure 5 minutes later.
Our `old` goalkeeper, and a previous Turkish International, Zafer, made his season’s debut. Also, Bebbe, Dursun, El Yasa and Cem Can were `rested`.
So, job done.
Now its back to league business on Friday.
Bring on Fener !!
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Genclerbirligi back on track?
Typical. A match I could not get to because of family duties, ie my marriage may have collapsed if I went, ends up with Genclerbirligi tearing the opposition to pieces.
Genclerbirligi 4 - 1 Akcabatspor
I have the Anadolu news agency and my friend Umut who kept me informed of the scores to report that Isaac Promise, yes, he who this blog has not been the friendliest to in the last two years, scored three goals.
And then Aussie Nick Carle scored his first goal for Genclerbirligi to make it four goals. Somewhere along the line Akcabat also scored a goal.
So what does all this mean? We are now into the group stage of the "We take pride in high transfer fees for bank transactions" Turkish Cup.
Just as an aside, apparently Kahe missed a penalty for us... and as an extra aside our new "in principle" coach, Reinhard Stumpf made it back from Germany in time to watch the second half. Is it a bad omen that we scored three of the four goals in the first half?
Genclerbirligi 4 - 1 Akcabatspor
I have the Anadolu news agency and my friend Umut who kept me informed of the scores to report that Isaac Promise, yes, he who this blog has not been the friendliest to in the last two years, scored three goals.
And then Aussie Nick Carle scored his first goal for Genclerbirligi to make it four goals. Somewhere along the line Akcabat also scored a goal.
So what does all this mean? We are now into the group stage of the "We take pride in high transfer fees for bank transactions" Turkish Cup.
Just as an aside, apparently Kahe missed a penalty for us... and as an extra aside our new "in principle" coach, Reinhard Stumpf made it back from Germany in time to watch the second half. Is it a bad omen that we scored three of the four goals in the first half?
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