Tepecikspor 0-4 Ankaragucu match report !

At last the real Ankaragucu turned up today as they destroyed Tepecikspor 4-0 to keep up their bid to become Lig 2 Champions. We have spoke over the last few weeks how Ankaragucu have failed to win the big games this season. This was another of those big games and the team certainly shut up their critics with an excellent win.

Team - Gokhan Akkan, Metin Aydin, Serhat Aykuz, Selim Teber, Emre Tasdemir, Serkan Sirin, Serhat Gulpinar, Kaan Kanak, Mehmet Erdem, Mehmet Cakir, Umut Nayir

Subs - Bayram Olgun, Orhan Evci, Aydin Toscali, Harun Aydin, Ibrahim Sahin, Omer Yalcin, Onur Atasayer

Ankaragucu were without Levent Kale, Hasan Ayaroglu, Aytac Oden, Volkan Yilmaz and Erhan Guven through injury, while Muhammed Gonulacar was suspended. It just shows the strength in depth of the team that they can still put out a very strong side, Thats why losing some of these matches this season have been inexcusable.

If you also wanted more evidence of the gulf between the two clubs then you need look no further than the stadium of Tepecikspor. It looked like a Sunday league public park. With the two promotion rivals Alanyaspor and Altinordu both winning again, Ankaragucu needed the 3 points to keep up their chase.

For 40 minutes it looked like it was going to be one of those days with Tepecikspor holding Ankaragucu to a 0-0 scoreline. Then on 42 minutes Mehmet Erdem Ugurlu scored to put Ankaragucu in front. Just as it looked like we would be heading into half time 1-0 up, the veteran Selim Teber made it 2-0.

Half time Tepecik 0-2 Ankaragucu

Mehmet Erdem Ugurlu has looked a good signing since his move from Polatli in Januray, and he made it 3-0 on 65 minutes with his second of the game.

Tepecik had Kemal Ozyurt sent off while Ankaragucu midfielder Serhat Gulpinar was also sent off with 13 minutes remaining. Four minutes later Kaan Kanak completed the rout to make it 4-0 and a fantastic win for Ankaragucu to take back to the capital.

Their are 6 games remaining and Ankaragucu have the easier run in out of the 3 teams. They do however have to go to Alanyaspor in 2 weeks.

Ankaragucu remaining games

Ofspor (H)
Alanyaspor (A)
Bozuyukspor (H)
Iskenderun (A)
Altay (H)
Bandirmaspor (A)

Altinordu Remaining games

Nazilli (A)
Polatli (H)
Bandirmaspor (A)
Kizilcahamamspor (H)
Pazarspor (H)
Bayrampasaspor (A)

Alanyaspor remaining games

Altay (A)
Ankaragucu (H)
Gungorenspor (A)
Eyupspor (H)
Diyarbakir (A)
Korfez (H)

Its all to play for !!

Ankaragucu vs Tepecik match preview !

Ankaragucu travel to Tepecik at the weekend for yet another must win match in the race for the Lig 2 title. A 2-1 win last weekend against Bayrampasa kept Ankaragucu in the hunt with leaders Altinordu and Alanyaspor. Fuat Aykuz will be looking for his side to up their game as the performances of late have been below par.

The last time the two sides met Tepecik win 2-1 in Ankara in a disappointing performance from the home side. Ankaragucu will be looking to put the record straight and return back to Ankara with the 3 points. The game takes place on Saturday afternoon, whilst Alanyaspor are at home to Iskenderun and Altinordu are at home to Korfez.

We have spoken many times this season about how Ankaragucu have failed to beat the teams at the top of the table. With the largest budget and biggest squad in the league it is unacceptable. Tepecik is another difficult match but look at Altinordu last weekend. They travelled to Diyarbakir for what was supposed to be a tough match and destroyed them 4-0.

With the talent we have in this Ankaragucu team, we have yet to see the best of them. At least the coach has realised he must play both Levent Kale and Umut Nayir who have both won games for Ankaragucu over the last couple of weeks.

Another big performance will be expected from Emre Tasdemir who has been the star of the team for the last couple of months. If Ankaragucu want to hold onto him they need to be playing at a higher level.

Lets hope its 3 points in the bag come Saturday afternoon !

Europe!!!!! Probably not but mathematically we could get there

One piece of advice I read a few years ago about writing blog posts was that you should never apologise in the first line about how long it has been since your last post nor for the fact that the following post is not going to be up to the usual Pulitzer Prize-winning standards that you normally post. So I won't.

Genclerbirligi 3 - 1 Elazigspor

Whether in the northern or southern hemisphere I don't think I have ever moved out of the sun and into the shade in March. Me and Spine had to at the Beer Bus on Sunday afternoon. The weather here is just bloody madness. We are surely all going to die. In the meantime though, lets enjoy the sun... and the footy.

We got in just in time to be handed pictures of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old kid who died last week from injuries sustained during the Gezi protests of last summer. For those who don't know, Berkin had been heading to the shops to buy some bread for his mother when he was hit by a gas canister fired by the police. He was in a coma for nine months or so. No police officer has been punished for the murder. Mourners at his funeral were gassed.

Footy started and all was fun. Elazig were crap and we were ahead in the 16th or so when Stancu showed some good skills. On the edge of the box he slipped over. Got back up, slipped around two defenders and somehow got the ball across to Jimmy who headed in a low ball. Fun in the sun.

The second goal was pure class and was all started by Spine's man of the match, Doga.

This is serious!

Do any of you remember Rob Andrew, the England fly-half from the 1980s, early 90s? He was the most negative rugby union player in a team that was known for its absolute and utter negativeness. Amazingly great attacking opportunity for England? He would it kick it. Always! He never got tackled and would finish matches with his uniform still pristine. I remember a huge cheer go up once in Sydney when he actually passed the ball.    

Anyway, this is nowhere near Rob Andrew levels of non attacking but last week Spine said he would buy me a beer if Doga made an attacking pass... I didn't get a free beer. And so yesterday it was our turn to give a cheer when Doga not only made an attacking pass but one that directly led to our second goal. There was some stuff in between Doga's pass and Stancu scoring but I didn't really see it.

In the second half Elazig got one back and then we all laughed again as the Elazig keeper, who wears his socks like a Japanese schoolgirl, messed up and tapped in an own goal.

That's it. Match over. Off to the pub. Never apologise.

ANKARAGUCU .... 'GET OUT OF JAIL' !!!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

It was a beautiful Spring day when I arrived at the Stadium and there were two amateur matches in progress on the Astro Turf pitches outside. Interestingly, on one of the matches there was a lady referee and a lady assistant referee, and from what I saw, they were doing a fine job.

Into the Stadium and Gecikondu and Maraton were full as usual with the others half full. A quiet 100 in the away end - quiet ? Mmmmm …... probably because they were not used to Ankaragucu tribunes and the noise they make !!

I was joined by Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Cider Kanka John and Aussie Desert Kanka Robbie and then we were up and running.

ANKARAGUCU 2 Bayrampasaspor 1

Ankaragucu set their marker early by going into all out attack and it only took 3 minutes for Mehmet to test the opposition defence, but the shot was over the bar. Serhat had another attempt minutes later but his shot was over too.

7 minutes in and Ankaragucu should have opened the scoring in a goalmouth scramble but the ball was cleared.

18 minutes in and it was still all Ankaragucu and Mehmet almost made the pressure count in a free kick, but it went just past the post.

It took until the 20^th minute for Bayrampasa to threaten, but the shot was over the bar. Then 4 minutes later Volkan had a great chance, but his header went past the post.

Gokhan had his first save to make shortly after when he smothered a tame shot, and minutes later Volkan was put through with only the goalkeeper to beat and he sent his shot straight into his arms.

Ten minutes to half time and the break through arrived …...... at last ! Yet another Ankaragucu attack and in a goal mouth melee, Umut had a 2^nd 'bite of the cherry' and poked the ball in for a goal to settle our nerves.

(At this stage I was receiving messages from Maniac Kanka Harun that our rivals, Altinordu and Alanya were winning).

Approaching the half time whistle and Ankaragucu had two more attempts which should have been converted, but going in at half time one up was ….. acceptable.

Ankaragucu resumed where they left off and were off in pursuit of the 2^nd goal. It duly arrived 14 minutes in when Emre (Man of the Match AGAIN) went on one of his attacks down the left and sent in an inch perfect cross to Levent at the far post to slide in for No2. Yesssssssssssss …. relief all round. However, not very impressed with Levent's celebration when he ran off to the VIP Section and to the Coach instead of running to Emre. The tribunes obviously agreed by chanting Emre..... Emre …..... Emre !!!

Then came the turning point in the match with 30 minutes remaining. A free kick was awarded to Bayrampasa just outside the Ankaragucu box, but before the kick could be taken there was a protest around the referee. First, the referee pulled out a yellow card and proceeded to organise the free kick, but suddenly, the referee turned and showed a RED card to Muhammed. Presumably he said something to 'displease' the referee ??!!!

Levent off …... then Mehmet......... to be replaced by defenders and runners. It was desperate times going into the last 15 minutes and a great 'backs against the wall' performance from the whole team.

There was one last chance for Ankaragucu to make the game safe, but substitute (No 57 – didn't get his name) had a great shot from outside the box which rebounded off the crossbar and cleared to safety.

A fortunate win some might say. However, Ankaragucu showed great character to hold on to their 2-1 lead and …......... get out of jail !

Back to The Chopin to celebrate our win, and ….......... Harun's birthday, where we were joined by Maniac Kanka Harun and his gorgeous daughter Hazal. Then, off to Cider Kanka's new apartment to sample his Isle of Mull Malt Whisky which is distilled in Tobermory. Mmmmmm …..... it was …... yummy !!!

So, the pressure is still ….. ON. The same can be said for Altinordu and Alanya, and …... as we have to go to Alanya in 3 weeks time, it is up to the players to bring 3 points back from there.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu vs Bayrampasa

As Jim said in his email this morning, Ankaragucu are at home this saturday against Bayrampasa and Gencler take on Elazig on Sunday also at home, both kick off times are at 1330 Turkish Time. Ankaragucu need to keep up the pressure on leaders Altinordu and second place Alanyaspor and nothing more than a win will be acceptable against in form Bayrampasa.

The visitors have won their last 3 games although those victories have come against Bozoyuk, Iskenderun and Altay. Their last defeat was a 5-1 hammering against Alanyaspor. After a late 2-1 win at Pazarspor last weekend, Ankaragucu know they need to up their game if they want to become champions. Alanyaspor have an easy home match against Bozoyuk, while Altinordu travel to Diyarbakir BB in what will be a difficult match.

The last time the two sides met Bayrampasa won 1-0 in Istanbul. Any defeat against an Istanbul side is unacceptable for the Ankaragucu fans who will be demanding the 3 points this time around.

As so often has been the case this season Emre Tasdemir will be the key player for Ankaragucu. The youngster has put in a string of excellent performances and will have no doubt impressed some of the Super Lig sides. Its important that the rest of the Ankaragucu team, especially the experienced players put in the same level of performance if they want to help ensure Ankaragucu can hold on to their best young players. Players like Emre Tasdemir, Hasan Ayaroglu, Umut Nayir and Gokhan Akkan will all be looking to play at a higher level.

Jim will have the match report which is even more handy these days with Baskent TV not showing the last 2 home games. Im predicting a 3-0 win for Ankaragucu.

ANKARAGUCU STAY IN THE HUNT

Team - Gokhan Akkan, Metin Aydin, Erhan Guven, Aytac Oden, Emre Tasdemir, Serkan Sirin, Serhat Gulpinar, Mehmet Cakir, Volkan Yilmaz, Levent Kale, Umut Nayir

Subs - Bayram Olgun, Orhan Evci, Muhammed Gonulacar, Onur Atasayer, Harun Aydin, Ali Sinan, Omer Yalcin


Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Bellshill Kanka Nadeem is taking care of Bellshill Kankie Rebecca after an illness and can't report on the match today. We all wish her a speedy recovery.

Pazarspor 1 ANKARAGUCU 2

I was out this afternoon, but thanks to Maniac Kanka Harun for keeping me up-to-date with the match as it progressed.

Fuat Bey is listening to us and started with Levent and Umut up front....... at last.

However, it was Pazar of Rize who opened the scoring after 10 minutes, but Ankaragucu equalised on the half hour mark with a goal from Volkan Yilmaz.

That's how it stayed at half time. Meanwhile, down south, Alanya was leading Bandirma 2-0 at half time. So, with Altinordu winning 2-1 yesterday against Eyupspor, the pressure was back on Ankaragucu today to pick up 3 points and stay in touch with Altinordu and Alanya at the top of the league.

70^th minute and Umut made the important breakthrough, and with Alanya winning 4-1 today, Umut's goal came with some relief. Thanks Umut !!!

We Ankaragucu fanatics never say …...... never ! So, with 8 matches remaining it is still all to play for.

Next weekend Ankaragucu host Bayrampasa in what is yet another must win match. Nadeem will give us a preview of the match during the week.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Are we there yet? Gencler claim an important three points

What better way to start the day!

Are Genclerbirligi safe yet? After Saturday's match we are in 12th place (for the moment). It can all still go very, very wrong.

Kasimpasa 1 - 2 Genclerbirligi

A very strange way to watch the match. I arrived at the Red Lion Club fully expecting the Gencler match to be relegated to the small screen once the rugby started but what I didn't expect was to be relegated to the small screen with no sound because of a live singer singing all the hits of an age that had no musical taste at all.

It was all a bit weird as we (Spine, Carl, Flying Dutchman Kanka and myself) politely clapped the poor singer after each of his songs. Luckily for him Gencler were being completely outplayed and so there was no reason for us to clap any louder at the TV screen.

From left to right: Carl, singer, Genclerbirligi

Indeed, Kasimpasa were all over us and were unlucky not to go ahead early on. The general consensus, a point would be a good result for us. Half-an-hour into the match and our singer had packed up and Stancu had the ball and with a brilliant move got away from his defender to pass to Jimmy on the run. Just the goalkeeper in front of him, he jigged, past the goalkeeper... and tap ... in, in, in!

It was a lovely goal and the 15 or so Gencler fans danced in the sunshine.

Not long later came the equaliser. It was an unstoppable free kick which no keeper, it was Dahlin this time, could have stopped. 1-1 at half time and the big screen and commentary was taken over by the rugby fans.

Over a St Patrick's Irish Breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms, toast and potato gozleme (that was the Irish bit I think), one eye was on the Gencler boys and the other on the Italians. We seemed to create some chances and so did Kasimpasa. In the end it was just after half-time in the rugby and close to the end of the football that the winner came with someone crossing it into the box, a Kasimpasa player seemingly stepping over the ball and then Mervan (coming on as a replacement) simply sliding in and GOOOOAAAALLL!!!!

A few minutes later and a very relieved Genclerbirligi left the field in victory.  

Sir Eski and Spine in a funny hat