GENCLERBIRLIGI MAINTAIN THEIR MOMENTUM AT THE HALF WAY STAGE OF THE SEASON !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Gencler didn’t ‘bottle it’ in their last match last Saturday before the winter break !

Adana Demirspor     2          GENCLERBIRLIGI      3

After the disappointment of exiting the Turkish Cup last week, Gencler kept their nerve and focus and go into the winter break with their 5 points cushion at the top of the league.

Nobre and Nadir (with 2) were the scorers and things look rosy for at least one team in Ankara.

Denizli in 2^nd place, Gazi in 3^rd and Umraniye in 4^th all won so they have not given up the chase !

As I have said before in previous posts, the Championship League is not an easy league to ‘escape from’, but Gencler has done the biz and can look forward with confidence to the resumption on 19 January 2019.

The opening matches should give us a clue of how things will pan out with Gencler away to Hatay, who knocked them out of the Cup.    2^nd plays 3^rd when Gazi host Denizli.

Will we still have Super league footie in Ankara next season ?     As always, keep watching this space for the answer !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

ANKARAGUCU IN FREEFALL !!!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Headline by Kaleci Kanka Tansu !

This will be a short and ‘bitter’ report !

Ankaragucu can have no complaints about yesterday’s scoreline in Kayseri.   They were totally outplayed by an average Goztepe team who were up for it.   Goztepe was always first to the ball, closing players down and looked much fitter than Ankaragucu.   That’s not to say that Ankaragucu didn’t have chances to score, but for the most part they were futile efforts.    Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Kaleci Kanka Tansu and I watched the match in The Anasson Bar in the company of some other frustrated Ankaragucu supporters !

ANKARAGUCU     0             Goztepe       3

Team – Korcan, Mehmet, Alihan, Kone, Kenan, Sedat, Faty, Mokhtar, Ilhan, El-Kabir and Kubilay.

Substitutes used – Putsila, Cerci and Kehinde

It was all Goztepe for the first 10 minutes and they almost went in front in the 2^nd minute when Mokhtar’s back-pass was short and latched onto by a Goztepe forward, but fortunately Korcan was alert to it and smothered the ball at his feet.

Goztepe did score in the 9^th minute but it was rightly chalked off for offside.

Ankaragucu did have 3 chances in the first half.   Ilhan received a pass from the left but shot tamely past the post.   Kubilay was targeted by a cross from the right but missed his header and Mokhtar struck a free kick just outside the penalty box straight into the wall !

Goztepe started the 2^nd half as they did the 1^st half.    They were stroking the ball around and giving Ankaragucu the run-around, and they almost opened the scoring 3 minutes in.   A sweeping passing move was halted by Mehmet with a saving interception to frustrate Goztepe.

However, we only had 2 minutes to wait for the inevitable goal and it was another sweeping move with a perfect cross from the left and Jerome first timed it into the top left with Korcan well beaten.

It was almost two 6 minutes later when a Goztepe header hit the outside of the post and went out.

Then in the 66^th minute the most amazing and unbelievable decision when El-Kabir (the only player looking capable of scoring) was hooked and Cerci came on to replace him.   Actually, Cerci should have been on from the start !!!

2 minutes later and goal of the match when Goztepe brought the ball from their own box with Ankaragucu back peddling and the classic cut back on the left and swept in by Halil to put the match out of Ankaragucu’s reach.

10 minutes later it was all over.   Another break down the left by Goztepe, the cross came over and Gouffran stepped between THREE Ankaragucu defenders to slot in with ease.

There was one chance near the end for Ankaragucu when Kenan did some great work down the right to beat 3 Goztepe defenders.   His perfect cross was met by Kehinde near the penalty spot but his weak shot was sent straight into the goalkeeper’s hands !

So, as Tansu quite rightly said, Ankaragucu is in Freefall and have slipped to 12^th position in the league.   However, if Kayseri win in Erzurum today it will be 13^th position !

So to the Winter ‘of Discontent’ Break !     This will surely give new Coach, Harun Bektas, time to ponder the 2^nd half of the season and it doesn’t get any harder than an opening away match against Galata....spit....saray on 20 January 2019 !      It should also be mentioned that Djedje and El-Kabir will have left for pastures new, so who is going to lead the line is anyone’s guess, and before you say it ............... I will .............. NOT Ilhan Parlak pleeeeeeeeez !!!

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2019 to all our readers !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

GENCLERBIGLIGI FOLLOW ANKARAGUCU AND EXIT THE TURKISH CUP !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Gencler can have no complaints about losing to the ‘underdogs’ this afternoon in Hatay after a professional display by Hatayspor in the 2^nd Leg.   (Aggregate Score – Hatay 3   Gencler  2).   Gencler can now focus their attention on returning to the Super League as champions !

Team – Emrullah, Bady, Emre, Canberk, Boz, Ibrahim, Arnason, Matei, Bekir, Paraiba and Berisberk

Hatayspor       2                  GENCLERBIRLIGI      0

Gencler had only two chances to open the scoring before Hatay struck their opening goal.   Firstly, Paraiba had a shot smothered by the goalkeeper and secondly Canberk missed by a whisker to connect with a Matei cross.

The goal of the match arrived in the 36^th minute when the left full back, Yasin, skipped round a challenge on the left and crossed for Sinan to power in a header to the top left and out of reach of the despairing hands of Emrullah.

The 2^nd half was only a few minutes old when Huseyin received a pass in the centre just outside the penalty box, outstripped two Gencler defenders, and slotted the ball inside the right post with Emrullah unable to retrieve the situation.

Hatay had their tails up and were chasing everything and giving the Gencler players no time to settle on the ball.   Gencler was confined for most of the 2^nd half to shooting from long range and Hatay was well in control.

6 minutes of time added on was played and Hatay was content to boot the ball anywhere to run the clock down.   They can be well pleased with their performance today and I hope they (and Bodrumspor) receive a favourable draw in the next round of the Cup for their well deserved victories in this round.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ankaragucu vs Goztepe match preview!

Bayram Bektas will take control of his first match as Ankaragucu manager against the team who sacked him 2 weeks ago. The former Goztepe boss will be looking to put one over his former side and give Ankaragucu a much needed boost going into the winter break.

Yet again Ankaragucu will have to play a home match 4 hours outside of Ankara as the match will be played at the Kadir Has in Kayseri. The way Ankaragucu have been treated by the Municipal over the years should never be forgotten. The Yenikent pitch again isn't fit for purpose which is the responsibility of the Municipal. Its embarrassing for them, and also Turkish Football that they cant even keep a football pitch in half decent condition.

Mehmet Yiginer spoke to the media yesterday and stated that when he held discussions with Bayram Bektas he addressed the concerns of Ankaragucu being bottom of the league in terms of distance covered per game, goals scored and the amount of injuries the team has had. He also said that the club will look to bring in 3-4 new players in the January transfer window.

The first thing that Bektas will need to address as he takes over, is shoring up the defence again and making Ankaragucu difficult to beat. Alihan, Kone and Thomas have all under performed when on the pitch. Some of the goals we have given away is what you would expect to see at junior level.

Its no coincidence that since Djedje has moved from midfield to right back, the team hasnt looked the same. Obviously this is due Erdem being out injured. Djedje needs to be moved back into the middle of the park with Faty, and someone else can play at right back while Erdem is out.

Kubilay is also not giving enough with only 1 goal since his loan move from Bursaspor. We need to create more chances for him, but he also needs to offer more. There is also an opportunity for Cerci to step up and play. There is no doubting that he is the most talented player in the team and we need him if we are going to survive this relegation fight. The same can be said for Mokhtar, both talented players but we havent seen enough for them. Can Bayram Bektas be the one who brings the best out in both players?

Goztepe are on a similar run to Ankaragucu and lie one place blow in the league and one point behind. They have only scored 1 goal in their last 5 Super Lig games and haven't won a game in that spell. Like Ankaragucu, they have also had some excellent results this season beating Fenerbahce, Besiktas, Trabzonspor and Konyaspor. They seem to save their best performances for the big games, and struggle against the teams at the lower end of the table.

The game is set up nicely for Saturday, two rival clubs both stepped in history and tradition with a fantastic loyal fans base. Two clubs fighting against relegation, and Bayram Bektas facing the team who sacked him. Lets hop its Ankaragucu fans who are celebrating at the end of the game!

Bayram Bektas appointed new Ankaragucu manager!

Ankaragucu have moved swiftly to replace Ismail Kartal with the appointment of former Goztepe manager Bayram Bektas on a 1.5 year deal. Bayram is reported to have held talks with the club in the past but couldn't come to an agreement. Ankaragucu finally got their man and we look forward to seeing what he can bring to the team and if he can get the season back on track.

Although a highly rated young manager, his CV doesnt exactly fill you with confidence as he has had 5 jobs in his career to date, with all of them ending less than a season for different reasons. Appointed manager of Goztepe in the summer, he was sacked early December after a run of poor performances and results which see Goztepe also in a relegation battle.

Lets hop Bayram can find more success at Ankaragucu and keeping the club in the Super Lig is all that the fans can ask for at this stage.

ANKARAGUCU PAY THE PRICE OF THEIR PROFLIGACY IN THE 1st LEG !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu made an ignominious exit from the Turkish Cup today in Ankara after losing 5-6 on aggregate.   In 180 minutes they showed only what they are capable of for 45 minutes in the 2^nd half today !

This result cannot be classed as a ‘Cup Fluke’ either.   Bodrum took their chances in the 1^st Leg in Bodrum and in the 1^st half today and fully deserve their moment of glory.   I sincerely hope they make it all the way to the final !!!

As for today, particulary in the 1^st half, this must rank as the worst Ankaragucu performance I’ve ever had the misfortune to watch.   Bodrum were first to the ball, winning most of the tackles and 50.50 balls.   Ankaragucu was clueless and the defence is a shambles ......... uneffinbelievable at times !!!    However, at least their heads didn’t go down and they made the last 10 minutes of the match a nail-biting finale !

ANKARAGUCU     3           Bodrumspor      2

Team – Korcan, Erdem S, Alihan, Heurtaux, Mehmet S, Faty, Mahmut, Cerci, Mokhtar, Kubilay and Kehinde.

Substitutes – El-Kabir, Ilhan and Sedat

There were a few near things before Ankaragucu finally opened the scoring.   Kubilay had a fierce shot well saved and Mokhtar should have done better with his effort on the 15 minute mark.    The breakthrough finally arrived after 22 minutes when Kehinde was pushed from behind in the box while trying to cross the ball.   Cerci took responsibility for the penalty and scored with a shot to the right with the goalkeeper guessing the wrong direction.

                                                                 

Will the floodgates now open and Ankaragucu put the match to bed I was thinking ?     Ahemmmm ...... cough cough ........... NO !

6 minutes later it was 1-1 after a poor clearance by Korcan wasn’t dealt with and the ball was played out to the left and swung into the right where Cem was allowed total freedom to slot it in with Mahmut in his wake caught out of position.

It was almost another for Bodrum on the half hour mark when the ball was finally cleared for a corner with the Ankaragucu defence all at sea !

However, it only took another 4 minutes for Bodrum to score their 2^nd when Orhan, with THREE defenders around him, struck an excellent shot to Korcan’s left giving him no chance.

Bodrum almost made it 3 just before the half time whistle but the ball was scrambled back to Korcan with a deflection.

Ankaragucu started the 2^nd half with more purpose, but Bodrum was still looking dangerous on the break and I felt the Ankaragucu defence still had the jitters !

Cerci, who had an excellent match today, almost scored the equaliser in the 60^th minute when he received a headed pass from Kehinde, but his shot hit the post and was cleared.

From the goalkeeper’s clearance, Bodrum almost scored when they broke at speed cutting holes in the Ankaragucu defence but the final shot went narrowly past the post.

Cerci was causing the Bodrum defence on the left lots of problems and he almost scored 2 minutes later when his shot on the right went past the left post.   Then one minute later he crossed for Kehinde to head just over.

One minute later, and after Mehmet gave the ball away needlessly, Korcan had to be smart to save after another Bodrum breakaway.

I have to say that the Ankaragucu equaliser came as a surprise with the match raging from end to end, but what a goal it was.   Faty crossed from the right and Kehinde met it and powered in a shot with the goalkeeper grasping air.

I still didn’t hold out much hope at this stage of the match, but then 3 minutes later with 15 minutes remaining came the goal to set the stage for a rousing finale.   Ilhan was brought down unceremoniously in the box and Cerci fired in another perfect penalty to the left.

It was all Ankaragucu now with Bodrum hanging on to their one goal lead like grim death.   El-Kabir almost found the goal when his shot was only parried by the goalkeeper and it flopped just past the post for a corner.

Into the last minute and from a Cerci free kick on the right, Faty headed over when well placed to score.   Then in time added on, Sedat blasted over when ideally placed to score.

So, like I said at the beginning, all credit to Bodrum for seeing out the two legs and taking their chances in the 1^st leg in Bodrum.    Ankaragucu can have no complaints about their exit from the Cup !

What now ????

Back to the drawing board for the temporary Coach to try and salvage something from the league match on Saturday against Goztepe.    I don’t envy his task !!!

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim

Ismail Kartal sacked after thumping in Sivas!

In the ten years of following Ankaragücü I’ve always said there is no truer statement to describe the club than, trouble is just around the corner. Just over a month ago after a stunning win at Fenerbahce and home wins against Yeni Malatyaspor and Kayserispor we were all dreaming of Europe. Now after another defeat at the weekend and now managerless, the future of Ankaragücü is again uncertain and worrying.

Team - Altay, Erdem, Yalcin, Kone, Mehmet, Sedat, Putsila, Faty, Ilhan, Bifouma, El Kabir

Subs - Korcan, Kaan, Alihan, Heurtaux, Erdem Sen, Mokhtar, Cerci, Mahmut, Kubilay, Kehinde

If you are Alessio Cerci or Youness Mokhtar you should be taking a long hard look at yourself and wonder why the likes of Anton Putsila and Ilhan Parlak are playing ahead of you in the team. With Ankaragücü already without Moulin, Djedje, Thiago, Kenan and Erdem having to go off with Yalcin injured, we should be able to rely on these two players. The talent isn’t in question but like previous clubs have found the attitudes of Mokhtar and Cerci are being questioned.

As soon as the team was announced I didn’t hold out much hope for Ankaragücü. Too many players missing, and then both Cerci and Mokhtar on the bench leaves you short of quality in the staring line up. Sadly I wasn’t wrong and Sivasspor took advantage with a thumping 4-0 win.

Ankaragücü looked to be heading for half time all level but for a 2 minute spell of sheer madness from the defence. Firstly Robinho scored from the penalty spot after a poor challenge from Alihan in the box. A minute later a poor kick out from Altay and a mistake from Kone gifted Muhammet Demir a chance which he converted to make it 2-0.

The second half didn’t get any better and goals from the brilliant Emre Kilinc and Robinho sealed a 4-0 victory for Sivasspor.

The drama didn’t end there, after the match İsmail Kartal revealed that he was struggling to motivate the players as they hadn’t been paid in 6 months. He then challenged the management to find the money or resign. An hour later Ankaragücü announced on the official website that they had sacked İsmail Kartal.

Mehmet Yiginer tonight said that they had a meeting earlier this week with the technical team and that Ankaragücü team was bottom of the league in distance covered, possession percentage and had only scored 1 goal in 4 games. That coupled with the result against Bodrumspor.

Some Ankaragücü fans have called for the resignation of the management team as they sympathise with the difficult job İsmail Kartal has if players aren’t being paid. 

The next couple of days will be interesting to see who Ankaragücü appoint and the January transfer window will also be interesting as the club are now in a relegations dog fight.