Skuad Bolasepak Ansara Taiping » Liga Alumni 2008 League Match 4
Kemaskini terakhir: 2 Ogos 2009
Tarikh hari ini: 8 Sep 2010

Liga Alumni 2008 League Match 4

Game 4 2008 – Taiping vs SEMESAAS
Venue: Politeknik Shah Alam

Scorer: Megat, Ayie, Jose, Paan
Assist: Eby (2), Zainal, Megat

Line-up:
Gk – Rizal
Def – Musa (CB), Madun (CB-Stopper), Megat (RB), Jeenial (LB)
Mid – Ayie (CM), Zainal (CM), Kalai (RM), Eby (LM),
Fwd – Reilis (CF), Shaz (S)

Subs – Jose, Paan

Have you ever faced the football team from Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah otherwise known as SEMESAAS? My word, the very sight of the physical presence of their first eleven can spread a little more than anxiety throughout your ranks. Given the average physical size of Taiping’s players, it can certainly be the case.

The match kicked off amid humid conditions, possibly the warmest that both teams have encountered this season. The surface of the pitch didn’t help either, being described as “bumpy”, leading to both teams, especially Taiping, who did not manage to get any rhythm in their play. As such, a lot of passes were not smooth and went astray.

SEMESAAS were quick off the blocks and pressed Taiping aggressively from the kick-off. In the first twenty minutes, Taiping could not manage more than a few moves that involved three or four passes. It was frustrating for the spectators. Taiping managed to trouble SEMESAAS only twice, when Reilis got through one on one, but could not find the target.

It was not surprising when SEMESAAS scored the first goal from open play. Zainal lost possession in midfield, and an opposition midfielder fired a volley that was parried by Rizal, but he could not prevent the follow up from entering Taiping’s goal.

After the almost lifeless display in the first half, Madun made a tactical change. Megat was repositioned as right midfield, Reilis dropped down to right back, Kalai and Zainal supported Shaz in central midfield. This was made to utilise Megat’s better delivery and ball control, Reilis’ defensive speed and reliability and Kalai’s energy and commitment. Another reason was to gain control of central midfield, which was effectively “owned” by SEMESAAS in the first half. It was also done to prepare the team for the next tactical change to be made later on.

In the first ten minutes of the second half, Taiping started to run proceedings, but still to no avail. Madun made the second tactical change, bringing in Jose and Paan for Madun and Kalai. Taiping now have 3 centre backs (Musa, Reilis, Jeenial) with Ayie dropping deeper as defensive midfielder in front of the back three. Jose came in as the top striker, supported by Shaz (centre forward), Eby (left wing) and Paan (right wing) and two attacking midfielders (Megat and Zainal). Effectively, Taiping were now playing 3-1-2-4 as the formation, the focus being to attack and press the opposition relentlessly.

The changes bore fruit almost immediately. Megat scored off a free header from Eby’s corner. 1-1 and game on.

It was almost all Taiping from here on. Ayie scored the second for them through a long range shot from Zainal’s pass. 2-1 and you can feel a sigh of relief from Taiping’s players, especially Zainal, who had lost possession for the SEMESAAS goal.

But SEMESAAS were no pushovers. Having experience from playing Division 1 for a few seasons, they fought back, scoring from outside the 16 yard box, after a striker dribbled past Jeenial. 2-2 and Taiping knew they had to dig deep again.

Along came the third tactical change from Madun, with Paan and Shaz switching positions. Paan was now causing havoc in the middle with his pace and tenacity, and Shaz providing ammunition from the right.

Taiping’s third goal came shortly. From Eby’s pass, Jose pressed onto a back pass and the opposition’s custodian inadvertently struck the ball onto Jose’s body. The ball trickled into goal to the jubilation of Jose and the rest of the squad. This goal should come as a big boost to Jose, who has not yet scored for this season.

Taiping’s last goal was scored by Paan, a curling effort struck first time from Megat’s assist on the right.

This is yet another victory for Taiping to consolidate its position at the top of Liga Alumni’s Division 2. Anybody who watched the game should have known that this might just be THE season for Taiping to be champions of the division for 2008.

Ditulis oleh Abe pada 1 September 2008