Bloxsara

The third week of Piala Jaya Ansara ended without any surprising results. However, as if continuing the trend from previous weeks, the third week produced a total of 9 goals from the two matches played. Will this trend continue in the proper Liga-A season come April? Are Ansara teams trying to send a message to the other teams in Liga-A?

The third week, the week where teams determine who gets to be the group leaders. At UPM A, the much fancied Kuantan team were to face Muar. Both teams won their games against K.Behrang. As both teams have automatically qualified for the semi finals, this game serves only to determine the group leader. Kuantan, after their trashing of K.Behrang, is clearly the favorite to win this tie. All Kuantan needed is a draw to see them top the group.

At UPM C, K.Trengganu were to go up againts Jasin. In this group, only PDRM have qualified into the semi finals, to be followed by the team that wins this match. Jasin needed a win to advance, while K.Trengganu will advance with just a draw.

Muar suffered our first defeat this season. We lost in the game against Kuantan. Congratulations to Kuantan for their win and for topping the group.

I have to admit, though I’ve never seen their game prior to the match, I’ve been told numerous number of times that they are a very good team this year. My first impression of them, they are well prepared and committed this year. This I can say because they were already suited up and warming up by the time I arrived at the field. To me, that’s the first sign of how well a team is prepared for a game.. Kudos to their team manager.

Though the match bears little significance in term of getting to the semi final, neither teams were about to pull any punches. They were both hungry for victory. Attacks and goal scoring chances were present in abundance for both teams as they got into high gear at the word go. A very well balanced match indeed. After the numerous attacking tag-of-war, Muar finally took the lead in the 21st minute. CeRuud, who was the team’s top scorer in the first season, scored his first goal of 2004 with a scorching right footer from the top right hand side of the penalty box. However, to the dismay of the still celebrating crowd of about 20 Muar supporters, Kuantan equalized instantly. Off the ensuing kick-off, Kuantan launched an attack from the right hand side. As if still dazed by the leading goal, the Muar defence stood and watched as Kuantan’s nippy striker dribbled the ball into the penalty box and slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper’s widespread hands into the goal. At half-time, score stood at 1-1.

The second half started with both teams continuing their eagerness to win. Chances and tries either went to the keeper’s hands or hit the posts and bars, along with a few inch wide misses. However, as with the last match, Muar’s fitness level proved to be their weakest point. Going into the last 15 minutes saw Kuantan getting an upperhand in the game. Their midfields and strikers continue to run and create havoc for Muar’s defenders who were already getting weary of the constant fast pace of the match. Thus within the final 15 minutes, Kuantan managed to score two more goals to the delight of their also about 20 odd supporters. Though down by two goals, Muar kept on pushing for goals, and never lost hope. They came close to scoring a couple of times but the strikers were not able to get the ball to cross the goal line. Thus, at the end of the match, the score remained - Kuantan 3, Muar 1.

Though we (Muar) lost the match, the team showed great character. They never gave up, not even when they were down by two goals. They pushed on until the final whistle. Kudos to the players. The team’s main weakness was displayed glaringly during the match. It was so very obvious.. the team lack fitness. The final 15 minutes saw how match fitness is very important in a game where two teams are equally balanced in terms of skills and talents.

This lost puts Muar as the second team in the group. Thus we will be facing the leader of the other group, which is K.Trengganu who secured their top spot by beating Jasin 5 - 0. Kuantan will be facing PDRM in the semi final. The semi final games have not been scheduled officially yet, but they will be played before January 31st.

I only hope, the team will have improved their fitness level before the semi final match…….

Week III Results:
Kuantan 3 - Muar 1
K.Trengganu 5 - Jasin 0

Other matches played on the same day:
Taiping 3 - Serting 2
SMach 0 - Mozak 4