Five years after that match with Maribor, Žan Bešir will again try to annoy the Štajers: “It took me a few days to understand”
Text: David Klemenc. Photo: Blaz Weindorfer / Sportida
On Sunday, in the 7th round of the national championship, two opponents experiencing very different periods will face off. While Maribor is in psychological turmoil after their exit from Europe, the Ajdovci are relaxed and in high spirits as they climb the Prva Liga Telemach standings after a poor start. Primorje capped off their recent good form with a smooth and quite surprising 3-0 victory over Celje in the last round.
It will be a special match for one of the few Ajdovci players in the team who shone like a meteor exactly five years ago in a cup match, where his second-division team Koper surprisingly eliminated the future opponent, the champion team Maribor. At that time, the spotlight was not on him but rather on the match between Dare Vršič and Darko Milanič versus Zlatko Zahovič, who had controversially parted ways with Maribor’s services just a few months earlier. Vršič responded with two spectacular free-kick goals, but the cherry on top of Koper’s victory was provided by the then 18-year-old debutant, signaling that we would hear more about this young player. His name? Žan Bešir.
Žan Bešir: “Coach Zeljković Forgot About Me”
“Uf, it took me a few days to realize what had actually happened,” the 23-year-old attacking midfielder told Planet nogomet at the outset. “I got an invitation to join Koper from the 2nd youth league, and after a bit of thought, I decided to give it a try… Why not?” Initially, he trained diligently for a month and waited for his chance, which came during that highly noteworthy cup match. “Yes, we had a team aiming directly for promotion to the top league, but eliminating Maribor was still quite a surprise.” Koper celebrated a 3-2 victory in front of 3200 spectators at Bonifika, creating a memorable cup upset.
For a while, Žan Bešir was considered a great prospect in Koper and even earned a spot in the U21 national team, but then things took a turn. “I was on loan in Dekani, where I started the first half of the next season well and got opportunities in the autumn, but then in the spring, the then-coach Zoran Zeljković forgot about me.” He later had brief stints in Sežana and Nova Gorica, but in such chaotic teams struggling for survival on the field and off, the development and progress of a young player were not to be expected.
He Felt They Didn’t Count on Him
“Upon returning to Koper, where I had one year left on my contract, I felt that they didn’t count on me, and I also wanted a new challenge and the necessary playing minutes, so we agreed to terminate the contract by mutual consent,” explained the still young 23-year-old Žan Bešir.
He moved to his home club and had a brief stint in Lendava’s Nafta, but when the opportunity arose to play in the top league in his hometown, the decision to return home was very easy. “In Nafta, there was a very strange atmosphere towards the end, rumors circulated that we players were boycotting or even fixing matches, but these were just slanders and lies that harmed us,” Žan Bešir emphatically stated. “Playing at home in the top league is the best thing, so I am happy to be where I am,” he says, adding that this is actually his first real season in the top league, where he is a significant player and plays regularly.
Žan Bešir and his teammates will travel to Ljudski vrt on Sunday after a few good games, aiming to repeat their performance from the previous week when they defeated Celje 3-0 away. “We knew that Celje was in a weird situation, with a new problem every day in the locker room, so we had no choice but to take advantage of their issues,” says Bešir, who scored the opening goal in that match in the noble town.
But can the Ajdovci repeat the feat in Maribor? “We know that Maribor is in shock after their exit from Europe, but playing at such a historic stadium is a very tough task, regardless of the situation at the violet team.” Does this mean they will raise the white flag? “No, no, not at all! We are aware of the challenge ahead of us, and if we are on our game, we can surprise. We will give our all to make that happen.”
The Top League Came Unexpectedly
The preparations and the start of the season showed that the burja’s sons had considerable difficulties, and many predicted them as candidates for relegation. This seemed likely in the first few rounds, but things are now improving. “It’s not unusual for us to be criticized, as that’s normal. The top league came unexpectedly for us; many players had never played at this level before, so there’s a big process of adapting to the new circumstances.” But with 9 points accumulated in a short time, everyone is breathing easier, acknowledges the interviewee. “Yes, it definitely makes it easier to breathe, but we won’t deceive ourselves. Only the 6th round is behind us. These three victories mean a lot to us.”
What are the actual limits of Primorje will primarily be shown by time. Žan Bešir is optimistic: “The team is new, and we haven’t fully settled yet, so we try to keep our feet on the ground. We are doing well, we trust ourselves, but the primary goal of the season is survival. Once we achieve that, we will strive to climb a step higher. We are capable and believe in ourselves.” Playing away is a significant handicap, so the closure of the Gorica stadium will not represent a major additional problem. “We are used to it, but we would like things to be resolved once and for all. Those responsible for these issues clearly are not doing their job. We are football players and it’s not right that we have to deal with this as well,” Žan Bešir criticizes.
How Will Celje Play in Europe?!
The team from Celje is still on the rise after their cup exit and keeping up their good form is their primary task. “It’s not a usual thing to lose so badly, but we have a lot of confidence in our abilities and the mentality in the team is good. We just need to stay focused and keep up the good work,” he concludes with a clear ambition and belief in his team’s ability to surprise in the top league.
How will it all turn out? We will find out on Sunday.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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