Ansara Muar is starting off this season with a bang. The team displayed their hunger for glory by trashing their first opponent this year with four goals. They also managed to keep a clean sheet.
Saturday, January 15th, 5:30PM in Ikram, Bangi - the first match of this season for Ansara Muar. Their opponent - Ansara Beseri. If last season's match up were to be used to predict the outcome of this game, Beseri would have been the favorite to win. Last season, Beseri ran all over the Muar defense like nobody's business. This was not the case this time around.
Muar started the game, threatening Beseri right from the kick-off. Barely 60 seconds into the game, Muar scored the first goal of the season. The scorer, making it more interesting, is Johan Mustafakamal. After years of playing the wide left attacking position, and after numerous missed chances, he finally get to put his name on the score sheet. Muar 1 - Beseri 0.
As if still dazed by the early goal, just five minutes after the first goal, another Muar midfielder caught the entire Beseri defense and goalie napping. Hazrul Abu Sin, sent a thunderous dipping shot from 40 yards out crashing into the net as the Beseri defense and goalkeeper stood watching helplessly. Muar 2 - Beseri 0.
Beseri started to work their way into the game after the scorcher by Hazrul. They got into their rhythm and ventured deeper into Muar's half of the field. The game became more balanced, in terms of possession time. Both teams created goal scoring chances which, unfortunately were missed. Muar forwards missed at least three clear cut chances to score. Fadli, Joe and Ceruud, were presented with sure shots at goal. However, they all miss fired.
Beseri had a golden opportunity to get back into the game just before half time. They were presented with a free kick inside the Muar penalty box when the Muar keeper, Ridzuan Jumin, caught a back pass from a defender inside the box. To the relief of the Muar players, the free kick ended up in row z of the stands (if there were any). So at half time, the result stayed at Muar 2 - Beseri 0.
The second half started with Beseri trying get an early goal to get back into the game. Muar, on the other hand was more patient in their build up to attack. Their patience was paid off when they were awarded a penalty kick. Muar's striker, Fadli was brought down in the box as he was shielding the ball. The ensuing kick was taken by Fadli himself. Muar 3 - Beseri 0.
Later, in a run of play, Elyas, who was brought in as a substitute ten minutes before the end of second half, broke free from center field. Utilizing his speed and fresh legs, he left the entire Beseri defense chasing his heels as he sped towards the goal, side stepped the goalkeeper and slotted home the fourth goal of the match. The goal, made it even harder for Beseri to make a comeback. Muar 4 - Beseri 0.
Yeah, I know. I can still recall that horrifying day when we were beaten by KT after leading 5 - 1.
Muar 4 - Beseri 0. That's the final score for the match. The team played well. They gelled together as a team. However, there are still glaring displays of mental and physical weaknesses. Mental, in the sense that they can't really play well if the opponents put them under pressure. Possessions are easily lost when opponents apply enough pressure to the player with the ball - resulting in all the wild passes going just about anywhere. Physically, the players will have to beef up on their stamina building workouts. Too many players can be seen gasping for air as the match goes on.
While it may be a bit difficult to work on strengthening their mental abilities, I would think that heightening their stamina is achievable. If they've got it in them to play for 90 minutes without gasping, they can make this season a memorable one.
