Mavericks Stunned by Two Late Strikes
13 October 2007
Venue: Former Braddell View Secondary School pitch
Opponents: The Oranges
Starting line-up: Alex, Randy, Chuan Ji, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Chung Wei, Seng Yew, Wei Jie, Boon Kee, Wei Long, Zhi Fei
Substitutes: Kee Siang, Chao Yang, Jeremiah
FT score: 1-2 (HT score: 0-0)
Goals: Seng Yew ('66), Unknown Orange ('85), Unknown Orange ('88)
Man-Of-Match: Seng Yew
Mavericks FC looked to have finally recorded an away victory, only to be undone by two very late, and somewhat fortuitous strikes in the final five minutes. This time around, they may point to some super sub-standard state of the field and two doses of incredible bad luck, as the main causes of defeat. However, credit must be duly given to the Oranges, for their dogged determination and never-say-die spirit to fight till the death.
There were concerns whether the match would even take place after some persistent rain had ruled out the initial venue, Yio Chu Kang Secondary field. The referee did manage to secure an alternative pitch (fortunately or unfortunately), the hugely unimpressive former Braddell View Secondary field, resembling more like some outfield exercise ground than a decent soccer pitch.
The first half was played like some important cup final by the two teams, both ultimately cancelling each other out, with minimal goal-scoring opportunities for either side. The only real chance of note was some pinball action in the Mavericks penalty box in first-half stoppage time. A series of low crosses and shots inside the danger area caused panic in the defence, with Mavericks failing to clear their lines. Much credit would have to be given to the ever-reliable goal-keeper Alex for keeping the score level at half-time, with his vital saves and blocks.
After a goal-less first half, the match came to life after Seng Yew scored his first goal of the season in spectacular fashion, beating the Orange goalie with a top-drawer finish, as good as any you would see in the English Premier League (think: Steven Gerrard). Receiving a loose ball off a corner with limited space on the left edge of the penalty box, the midfielder unleashed a thunderbolt strike that arrowed its way into the top right corner, with the Orange shot-stopper diving and despairing, both hands clawing at thin air.
Stung by conceding the opening goal, the Oranges were not giving up without a fight. Perhaps inspired by Seng Yew's contender for goal of the season, the Oranges tried to do one better. Upon receiving the ball at the center of the pitch, an Orange midfielder took the ball a step into Mavericks territory, before unleashing one hell of an outrageous attempt on goal. The ball seemed to be heading out of play, until it abruptly dipped and came off the top of the crossbar, and somehow came back into play inside the six-yard box. With the defence shell-shock, a lurking Orange striker was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Buoyed by their equaliser, the Oranges went in search of the winning goal. With Mavericks also looking to score the winner themselves, the game was suddenly as open as a recent encounter between Reading and Portsmouth. A moment of inspiration from an Orange midfielder saw his through ball, bobbled and bounced off the uneven surface, on its way through to another Orange lurker, with the Mavericks defence unable to anticipate and cope with the unpredictable bounce of the ball. The Orange lurker did the rest, with a composed finish that Alex could do nothing about.
Doubly stunned, Mavericks FC poured forward in numbers, looking for an unlikely equaliser. With time not on the Mavericks' side, yet another away defeat was registered.
~ Boon Kee
Venue: Former Braddell View Secondary School pitch
Opponents: The Oranges
Starting line-up: Alex, Randy, Chuan Ji, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Chung Wei, Seng Yew, Wei Jie, Boon Kee, Wei Long, Zhi Fei
Substitutes: Kee Siang, Chao Yang, Jeremiah
FT score: 1-2 (HT score: 0-0)
Goals: Seng Yew ('66), Unknown Orange ('85), Unknown Orange ('88)
Man-Of-Match: Seng Yew
Mavericks FC looked to have finally recorded an away victory, only to be undone by two very late, and somewhat fortuitous strikes in the final five minutes. This time around, they may point to some super sub-standard state of the field and two doses of incredible bad luck, as the main causes of defeat. However, credit must be duly given to the Oranges, for their dogged determination and never-say-die spirit to fight till the death.
There were concerns whether the match would even take place after some persistent rain had ruled out the initial venue, Yio Chu Kang Secondary field. The referee did manage to secure an alternative pitch (fortunately or unfortunately), the hugely unimpressive former Braddell View Secondary field, resembling more like some outfield exercise ground than a decent soccer pitch.
The first half was played like some important cup final by the two teams, both ultimately cancelling each other out, with minimal goal-scoring opportunities for either side. The only real chance of note was some pinball action in the Mavericks penalty box in first-half stoppage time. A series of low crosses and shots inside the danger area caused panic in the defence, with Mavericks failing to clear their lines. Much credit would have to be given to the ever-reliable goal-keeper Alex for keeping the score level at half-time, with his vital saves and blocks.
After a goal-less first half, the match came to life after Seng Yew scored his first goal of the season in spectacular fashion, beating the Orange goalie with a top-drawer finish, as good as any you would see in the English Premier League (think: Steven Gerrard). Receiving a loose ball off a corner with limited space on the left edge of the penalty box, the midfielder unleashed a thunderbolt strike that arrowed its way into the top right corner, with the Orange shot-stopper diving and despairing, both hands clawing at thin air.
Stung by conceding the opening goal, the Oranges were not giving up without a fight. Perhaps inspired by Seng Yew's contender for goal of the season, the Oranges tried to do one better. Upon receiving the ball at the center of the pitch, an Orange midfielder took the ball a step into Mavericks territory, before unleashing one hell of an outrageous attempt on goal. The ball seemed to be heading out of play, until it abruptly dipped and came off the top of the crossbar, and somehow came back into play inside the six-yard box. With the defence shell-shock, a lurking Orange striker was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Buoyed by their equaliser, the Oranges went in search of the winning goal. With Mavericks also looking to score the winner themselves, the game was suddenly as open as a recent encounter between Reading and Portsmouth. A moment of inspiration from an Orange midfielder saw his through ball, bobbled and bounced off the uneven surface, on its way through to another Orange lurker, with the Mavericks defence unable to anticipate and cope with the unpredictable bounce of the ball. The Orange lurker did the rest, with a composed finish that Alex could do nothing about.
Doubly stunned, Mavericks FC poured forward in numbers, looking for an unlikely equaliser. With time not on the Mavericks' side, yet another away defeat was registered.
~ Boon Kee
posted by The Outsider at
6:53 PM
