Mavericks FC Draw in Exhilirating Clash

4 August 2007
Venue: Singapore Chinese Recreation Club
Kick-off: 1515

S-Team vs Mavericks FC

Line-up: Chao Xing, Clement, Chuan Ji, Faizy, Chek Yong, Amir, Boon Leng, Wei Jie, Chee Ming, Jun Wei, Boon Kee, Kee Siang.

Final Score: 2-2 (HF Score: 0-1)
Scorers:
MFC - Amir ('65), Wei Jie ('75)
S-Team - No.10 ('13), No.7 (80)
Man-of-Match: Chao Xing

Mavericks FC spurned a 2-1 lead and drew with S-Team on Saturday, despite an energetic display in the second half, whereby a ten minute 2-goal melee could have won the match, if not for slack marking which led to S-Team's equalizer.

The Mavericks welcomed back classy midfielder Boon Leng and flamboyant winger Amir into the team after the duo missed the previous matches due to international duty. Despite missing world-class midfielder Kee Siang in the first half, it wasn't a drab affair as one would have expected. The midfield pairing of Boon Leng and Wei Jie was more than a match to the rumble-n-tussle hard-tackling midfield of S-Team. The Mavericks also welcomed newcomers Faizy and Chek Yong who made sensational debuts. Also, veteran shot-stopper Alex was unavailable, due to commitments.

The White-Blues did have supreme possession of the ball in the opening minutes, but against the run of play, S-Team took a surprise lead, as No.10 took advantage of the makeshift right flank of the Mavericks, beating past two players before slotting the ball into the net. This did not dampen spirits, as within seconds of the restart, a clever one-two between Boon Leng and Wei Jie, released Amir down the left flank, as he finds Boon Kee whose shot was saved by the keeper. The Mavericks further stated their claim to get that elusive equalizer, as they released a barrage of shots on goal, with particularly Amir, who, on several occasions had a lot of shots on goal, only to no avail, as most of his shots did not trouble the keeper. Seemed that his shooting boots were a tad rusty that day.

A through pass down the flank from Chee Ming, caught the S-Team rearguard unaware, as Boon Kee was released down the flank, and with his blistering pace, he managed to turn past the left-back, only to see his shot, once again, saved by the on-form keeper. By now, the first-half was all the Mavericks' as the midfield got the better of the S-Team on several occasions, only that lady luck was on the S-Team's side as they maintained their one-goal advantage. By now Boon Leng and Wei Jie looked really outstanding in midfield, despite playing along side each other for only a couple of times.

The second-half showcased a vibrant display of "total football" by the men in white and blue as several tactical changes seem to pave the way in favour of the Mavericks. Boosted by the arrival of technical masterclass attacking midfielder Kee Siang, the Mavericks now have the stranglehold of the match as the team sorely missed his footwork in the first-half. The S-Team were in sixes and sevens as they could not contain his touches. This created more space in midfield, and soon enough, The Mavericks got the equalizer they deserved.

Several tactical changes were made, as the standard 4-4-2 formation was ditched for a more stylish 4-3-3, and it was used to great effect almost instantaneously. Chao Xing, playing as a winger in the 2nd half, stunned the opposing goalkeeper with a one-touch left footed curler from the edge of the box that whistled just over the bar. He then began a series of lung-bursting runs down the right flank, leaving the S-Team left-back eating dust.

In the 65th min, Chao Xing pitched in a Beckham-esque inch-perfect cross into the box, as the ball reached the right foot of Amir who slotted home past the keeper after a late run into the six-yard box. 70th minute, Boon Leng tried his luck from distance but the swerving shot, powerful as may be, missed its desired target at the back of the net by only inches. S-team heaved a sigh of relief, yet they would not expect that this warning shot would turn out to be an early preview of what would be one of the best goals of the match. 10 minutes after the equaliser, the Mavericks got their deserved lead.

The ball was at Boon Leng's feet again, but this time round, he decided to execute a sublime through-pass to Kee Siang. The pitch had a bouncy effect on the ball, and it was no surprise as eventually, it bobbed up into the air amidst a challenge of headers in the heart of the pitch. The hard-running Chao Xing got a touch to it with a header, as it fell nicely at the feet of the unmarked Wei Jie, whom having spurned a few long shots wide earlier on, made sure his 25-yard screamer evaded everyone but the net this time round. A brilliant goal indeed, after great build-up play from the Mavericks.

By now, confidence was soaring in the Mavericks camp, and several nifty touches and one-twos between the midfielders left the S-Team players chasing shadows. Buoyed by the second goal, the Mavericks became suspect in certain areas, especially when the S-Team launched rare counter-attacks into the Mavericks penalty box. In the 80th minute, S-Team got their equaliser, and once again, against the run of play. With players pushing up to aid in the attack, the Mavericks defense were beriddled when a squared ball into the area wasn't cleanly dealt with, and their No.7 manages to slot it in for the final goal of the match. Though the Mavericks continued to push forward for a third goal, it never came and the team had to settle for a draw.

It was clearly disappointing to concede that equalizer, but nevertheless, it was a great display of attacking football from the Mavericks, who are more than satisfied with their performance, despite the obvious result. Nevertheless, the team could take some consolation from the fact that it was a sensational back-four performance, especially with the new look centre-back pairing of the classy Chuan Ji and debutant Faizy. Clement was brilliant in shutting out almost any form of threat from the right wings of the S-Team. Oh, and Amir needs to practice his shooting. The new tactical look of the team, as seen in the second half, can be seen as a stepping stone for success for the Mavericks in future matches. ^.^


Match Report by : AmiR