Mavericks Record Overdue Away Win
27 October 2007
Venue: Woodlands Ring Secondary School
Opponents: Haja FC
Starting line-up: Alex, Jeremiah, Chuan Ji, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Chung Wei, Seng Yew, , Boon Kee, Wei Long, Zhi Fei
Substitutes: Amir, Randy, Clement, Faizy
FT score: 5-1 (HT score: 3-0)
Goals: Chung Wei (’15), Zhi Fei (’20,’45), Amir (’60), Jiun Wei (’70)
Assists: Wei Long, Jiun Wei, Boon Leng, Zhi Fei, Chao Xing
Man-Of-Match: Zhi Fei
Injuries: Wei Long (Dislocated ankle), Chao Xing (Sprained back)
Yellow Cards: No.3, No.1 (Haja FC)
After weeks of bad luck and curses, Mavericks FC finally recorded its long awaited away victory at Woodlands Ring Road. It was a lovely afternoon for the team as fans saw their favourite team stroll past the opponents with a 5 – 1 victory.
The match started off as an intense affair as both teams had equal chances in the first quarter of the half. In the 15th minute, a through ball saw Wei Long open deep down the left flank. He took his time to make a nice cross into the box and Chung Wei headed home beautifully to make the score line 1-0. It only took the D'Maverians another 5minutes to widen the margin when a splendid long pass from the right put Zhifei through with the keeper. Without hesitation, Zhifei took a great one-touch control and fired straight into the net. Jiun Wei, playing at his best position as a right fullback, was the architect of this brilliant setup from his own half. The half continued with a couple of great plays by Boon Kee. Yet, he could only curse his luck as he wasn’t on his lucky boots for the afternoon. Furthermore, Wei Long, who had been having a great game, was stretchered off with what looked like an ankle ligament strain sustained in a challenge. However, this did not dampen the spirits of the men in blue as they got a third goal shortly afterwards.
The crowds watched Team Mavericks securing their victory just before the half-time whistle. A nicely executed through ball from Boon Leng gave leading scorer Zhifei another one-on-one situation with the keeper again. His low shot was initially deflected away from the keeper who could only curse his bad luck when the ball went in the path back to Zhifei. The predatory striker simply tapped the ball past the stunned keeper, leaving the opponent’s defence bewildered. Stingy defence offered by Chuan Ji and Randy also prevented the opponents from having a clear chance on goal. Keeper Alex was once again in superb form, as he thwarted the Hajarian attack with save after save which included a sublime one-handed save late in the first-half.
Team Mavericks continued to push forward for a fourth goal and found their reply in winger Amir's early strike in the 2nd half. After missing in action in the last game, Amir reintroduced himself by putting his own name on the scoresheet after a great one-two with Zhifei. He got past the defence and slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 4-nil for the Mavericks. Amir then showcased a brilliant piece of skill by releasing a seemingly onside Chung Wei on the left flank with a "rabona" scissors throughball but unfortunately, the referee, who had a really eventful afternoon, misjudged him for offside. Even though the victory was secured, hardworking Chao Xing, being pushed forward to the right wing from central defence after a tactical change, never seemed to slacken. This was despite missing a clear cut chance when he hit a weak rebound from Zhi Fei's deflected shot that was cleared off the line by the retreating Hajarian defender. Or after he missed several other chances including a one-on-one with the keeper after dribbling half the field length and past 4 defenders. And after drawing a few free kicks which were unfortunately not converted into goals, Chao Xing was finally rewarded for his efforts when he was brought down in the penalty box. Veteran Jiun Wei, who often complained that he had not contributed a goal and assist for the team ever since its set up a year ago, stood up and converted the ball in great calmness, breaking his zero goal and assist curse on the very same day. Congratulations, Jiun Wei!
A consolation goal was scored by the Hajas as a poor clearance by the Mavericks allowed the Haja striker put the ball into the bottom right. The team was off their guard as they are about to celebrate their victorious outing. Finally, the referee ended the match after blowing the final whistle. The game ended 5-1. Although the game was threatened to be cancelled due to some bad blood between Haja FC and the referee, it was still a good game by the D'Maverians. The well organised defence which included the irreplaceable Chuan Ji as well as Faizy who returned to action after his time overseas as well as great teamwork in the attack gave the opponents no breathing space. The best of all was the D'Maverian spirit, where they are gracious winners and supporters of gentlemanly and fair play. Well done, players!
-Wei Long
Venue: Woodlands Ring Secondary School
Opponents: Haja FC
Starting line-up: Alex, Jeremiah, Chuan Ji, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Chung Wei, Seng Yew, , Boon Kee, Wei Long, Zhi Fei
Substitutes: Amir, Randy, Clement, Faizy
FT score: 5-1 (HT score: 3-0)
Goals: Chung Wei (’15), Zhi Fei (’20,’45), Amir (’60), Jiun Wei (’70)
Assists: Wei Long, Jiun Wei, Boon Leng, Zhi Fei, Chao Xing
Man-Of-Match: Zhi Fei
Injuries: Wei Long (Dislocated ankle), Chao Xing (Sprained back)
Yellow Cards: No.3, No.1 (Haja FC)
After weeks of bad luck and curses, Mavericks FC finally recorded its long awaited away victory at Woodlands Ring Road. It was a lovely afternoon for the team as fans saw their favourite team stroll past the opponents with a 5 – 1 victory.
The match started off as an intense affair as both teams had equal chances in the first quarter of the half. In the 15th minute, a through ball saw Wei Long open deep down the left flank. He took his time to make a nice cross into the box and Chung Wei headed home beautifully to make the score line 1-0. It only took the D'Maverians another 5minutes to widen the margin when a splendid long pass from the right put Zhifei through with the keeper. Without hesitation, Zhifei took a great one-touch control and fired straight into the net. Jiun Wei, playing at his best position as a right fullback, was the architect of this brilliant setup from his own half. The half continued with a couple of great plays by Boon Kee. Yet, he could only curse his luck as he wasn’t on his lucky boots for the afternoon. Furthermore, Wei Long, who had been having a great game, was stretchered off with what looked like an ankle ligament strain sustained in a challenge. However, this did not dampen the spirits of the men in blue as they got a third goal shortly afterwards.
The crowds watched Team Mavericks securing their victory just before the half-time whistle. A nicely executed through ball from Boon Leng gave leading scorer Zhifei another one-on-one situation with the keeper again. His low shot was initially deflected away from the keeper who could only curse his bad luck when the ball went in the path back to Zhifei. The predatory striker simply tapped the ball past the stunned keeper, leaving the opponent’s defence bewildered. Stingy defence offered by Chuan Ji and Randy also prevented the opponents from having a clear chance on goal. Keeper Alex was once again in superb form, as he thwarted the Hajarian attack with save after save which included a sublime one-handed save late in the first-half.
Team Mavericks continued to push forward for a fourth goal and found their reply in winger Amir's early strike in the 2nd half. After missing in action in the last game, Amir reintroduced himself by putting his own name on the scoresheet after a great one-two with Zhifei. He got past the defence and slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 4-nil for the Mavericks. Amir then showcased a brilliant piece of skill by releasing a seemingly onside Chung Wei on the left flank with a "rabona" scissors throughball but unfortunately, the referee, who had a really eventful afternoon, misjudged him for offside. Even though the victory was secured, hardworking Chao Xing, being pushed forward to the right wing from central defence after a tactical change, never seemed to slacken. This was despite missing a clear cut chance when he hit a weak rebound from Zhi Fei's deflected shot that was cleared off the line by the retreating Hajarian defender. Or after he missed several other chances including a one-on-one with the keeper after dribbling half the field length and past 4 defenders. And after drawing a few free kicks which were unfortunately not converted into goals, Chao Xing was finally rewarded for his efforts when he was brought down in the penalty box. Veteran Jiun Wei, who often complained that he had not contributed a goal and assist for the team ever since its set up a year ago, stood up and converted the ball in great calmness, breaking his zero goal and assist curse on the very same day. Congratulations, Jiun Wei!
A consolation goal was scored by the Hajas as a poor clearance by the Mavericks allowed the Haja striker put the ball into the bottom right. The team was off their guard as they are about to celebrate their victorious outing. Finally, the referee ended the match after blowing the final whistle. The game ended 5-1. Although the game was threatened to be cancelled due to some bad blood between Haja FC and the referee, it was still a good game by the D'Maverians. The well organised defence which included the irreplaceable Chuan Ji as well as Faizy who returned to action after his time overseas as well as great teamwork in the attack gave the opponents no breathing space. The best of all was the D'Maverian spirit, where they are gracious winners and supporters of gentlemanly and fair play. Well done, players!
-Wei Long
posted by The Outsider at
12:04 AM
