It's Soccer Season!!!
The 2004 Liga-A season kicked off last month - April 24th, 2004. The opening match was between VI and SDARA - hmmm wonder who was victorious. I didn't get to watch the game as Muar FC was involved in a friendly match with MCOBA.
This season, Muar FC's preparation for the league has been very minimal. Due to the lack of funding, I am unable to arrange for training and friendly matches. We've only had two friendly matches so far, against Kuantan and MCOBA.
However, from what I can see during the two matches (we lost both of them), the spirits are high among the players. This season, we've managed to bring in a number of new faces into the team. The team's average age this year is like 24 - a very young team I'd say, with good potential, however.
For three seasons, Muar have somehow managed to stay in the First Division (sheer luck?). This season, the First Division teams are - VI, STAROBA, KT, SDARA, SJAA, PDRM, Muar and ASAS. SJAA and PDRM are the two new entries into the First Division. Looks to me, we're looking at an even tougher schedule than last season.
Last season, we started our schedule with games against the two favorite teams. This time around, the schedule see us playing the two favorites at the end of the league. This should give us time to get ourselves together and build the team's morale for the game against these favorites. My main target would be the games against VI and SJAA.. heheh.. Think we can pull a surprise result like we did in the first season against SHOBA? You never know..
The third season sees some changes in the tournament regulations. This year, only 18 players are allowed to be registered for a particular game, as compared to 25 in previous years. Not that it makes any difference anyway. I don't believe I've ever had to use all 25 registered players in a game before. Strict eligibility verification procedures will be in place this season. Players will have to surrender their IC for verification to the match official 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Once the Player's Card is made available to the players, the Player's Card will then be the main mode of identification and verification for teams. With this verification procedure in place, teams will have to arrive at the venue at least one hour prior to kick off. A good thing, as this should ensure that kickoff is as scheduled.
There are other changes in the regulations as well, which I will not cover here (read: I can't recall what they are.. hehe). Perhaps, if I can get my hands on a softcopy of the Regulations, then I could post it in here for download. It would be good if it is made available at the Liga-A web site.
The league schedule is out. However, it is still not up at the web site. Muar is going up against ASAS in our first match, which kicks off on May 16th. So guys, are we ready to kick some.. ?
Yes, one last thing.. Muar FC is still looking for sponsors.
