Mavericks Draw Again
Date: 8 December 2007
Location: Farrer Park Field
Kick-off: 3pm
Opponents: Team Uncles
Starting line-up: Alex, Jiun Wei, Chuan Ji, Mike, Clement, Chao Xing, Amir, Seng Yew, Boon Leng, Chung Wei, Zhi Fei
Substitutes: Chin Yuen, Tommy, Boon Kee, CJ friend 1, CJ friend 2.
FT score: 2-2 (HT score: 0-0)
Goals: Amir ('54, '70)
Assists: Boon Leng, Boon Kee
Man-Of-Match: Amir
Mavericks FC secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw against their bogey team opponents Team Uncles FC (T.U.F.C.) with a brace from flamboyant winger Amir. The Mavericks no. 14 capped off a scintillating performance with two brilliant goals, one of which came off a breathtaking 30 yard free-kick from the edge of the box.
The match could have gone either way, but it was the Mavericks who came closest, after having most of the possession in the second half but they were unable to convert their many half-chances.
It ended 0-0 at half-time, before the floodgates opened in the second half.
Mavericks FC welcomed back their classy centre-midfielder, Boon Leng, from international duty and his return to action eased the midfield problems the outsiders encountered in recent matches as they solely missed Boon Leng's services.
The men in white certainly are a better team with Boon Leng in the middle, and his display at the heart of the Maverick's midfield showcased why the media has likened his playing style to that of spanish midfield maestro Cesc Fabregras.
The Mavericks also welcomed back star striker Zhi Fei and the ever-reliable centre-half Mike from their respective commitments. Also, the effervescent left-back Clement returns from injury but Faizy was unavailable due to international duty. Randy also got on the injury list after having slipped on the staircase and sprained his ankle after doing some breakdance moves before the match.
Once again, the Mavericks are without the services of world-class attacking midfielder Kee Siang (as usual), due to his ongoing contractual issues with the FA regarding his playing work permit.
The game started off brightly, with tireless midfielder-turned-striker Chung Wei nearly getting his name on the scoresheet. Amir played a brilliant through-pass after skipping past 2 defenders before releasing it to Chung Wei. He couldn't get the touch pass the onrushing keeper in time after being put through one-on-one, and the keeper managed to scramble the ball way.
Boon Leng and Seng Yew were playing nice touches in midfield, as team Mavericks got the ball rolling. Chao Xing had a shot from an acute angle brilliantly parried by the keeper after a typical lung-bursting run and Boon Leng nearly got his name on the scoresheet as well after Amir squared the ball from the right side of midfield. Zhi Fei had a shot saved after he managed to squeeze in a low shot from the edge of the box.
However, it wasn't the Mavericks all the way, as T.U.F.C had their fare share of chances, and they easily could have scored a couple of goals if not for the brilliance of Mavericks custodian Alex, who had 2 amazing saves at point-blank range, something Petr Cech would have been proud of.
Once again, Alex proves to be the difference in such high-octane matches, as his saves single-handedly kept his team still in the running in the match.
Half-Time Score: 0-0.
Second-half started with the rain drizzling down on the now mud-soaked pitch.
It was a fast-paced affair in the second half, with both teams having chances or rather, half-chances at either end. It was a more open game, as T.U.F.C. changed their formation to a wide 3-5-2 , and this gamble paid off as they scored against the run of play. Their number 10 managed to squeeze in a cross-shot from the right, which unfortunately crept over Alex at his far-post and landed into the net.
However, the Mavericks got an almost instant reply, after a ball from defence produced from great play between Chuan Ji and Jiun Wei reached the feet of Boon Leng, who dummied past the defensive midfielder before releasing an inch-perfect through-ball to the lurking Amir who stayed onside and controlled the ball with his right-foot before slotting it past the keeper with his left.
Brilliant equalizer from a brilliant set-up from Mavericks FC!!
However, to no avail, once again, a defensive mix-up allowed the T.U.F.C star striker room and space to squeeze in between the Maverick's defence and get on the end of a back-heeled through-pass before slotting it past the onrushing Alex to make it 2-1 to T.U.F.C.
This did not dampen the Mavericks' spirit, and from here on, the Mavericks pushed men forward, aiming to get the elusive equalizer. Boon Kee and Zhi Fei each had half-chances to equalize as well as Tommy who nearly scored after playing a neat one-two with Amir on the left flank. Seng Yew had a free-kick blocked well as well as a shot saved. Long balls from the defence looking for the runs of Boon Kee fell short as well as they were ineffective against a resolute T.U.F.C. defence which comprised several tall players. Mike was having a commanding display in defence, and it was to no surprise that it was the Mavericks who finally got the goal they deserved.
After having an earlier free-kick saved by the keeper, Amir had another chance to put things right again. Boon Kee got on the end of another brilliant ball from Boon Leng, before being felled 30 yards out at the edge of the penalty box. Amir stepped up to take the free-kick and scored a peach of a curler, which bent over the wall and past the keeper's flailing arms.
What a simply sublime goal!!!
By now, things were looking good for the Mavericks, as they pushed forward to kill the game for the winning goal. There were a fair share of chances, and the Mavericks nearly got the winner after Zhi Fei's rising shot from 20 yards was pushed away for a corner.
The resulting corner by Seng Yew....hmm...well....umm... you know what happened.
Pitch problems.
As African referee Charles blew the whistle for full time, Boon Kee said his thanks to him for giving the free-kick to team Mavericks which led to the goal.
Apparently, the referee had been fooled by Boon Kee's diving expertise, which single-handedly saved the game for the Mavericks.
What a naughty boy!
The fans left the Farrer Park field happy, as once again, their team gave them a highly-entertaining match, with plenty of exciting moments to savour.
The men in white would have been disappointed with the result, as they could have snatched a win after having the better share of possession.
However, it was nevertheless a good match, as they showed grit and determination to come from behind not once, but twice, and at least came away with something to take back home.
Great match fellas!!!
Final Score: 2-2.
Location: Farrer Park Field
Kick-off: 3pm
Opponents: Team Uncles
Starting line-up: Alex, Jiun Wei, Chuan Ji, Mike, Clement, Chao Xing, Amir, Seng Yew, Boon Leng, Chung Wei, Zhi Fei
Substitutes: Chin Yuen, Tommy, Boon Kee, CJ friend 1, CJ friend 2.
FT score: 2-2 (HT score: 0-0)
Goals: Amir ('54, '70)
Assists: Boon Leng, Boon Kee
Man-Of-Match: Amir
Mavericks FC secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw against their bogey team opponents Team Uncles FC (T.U.F.C.) with a brace from flamboyant winger Amir. The Mavericks no. 14 capped off a scintillating performance with two brilliant goals, one of which came off a breathtaking 30 yard free-kick from the edge of the box.
The match could have gone either way, but it was the Mavericks who came closest, after having most of the possession in the second half but they were unable to convert their many half-chances.
It ended 0-0 at half-time, before the floodgates opened in the second half.
Mavericks FC welcomed back their classy centre-midfielder, Boon Leng, from international duty and his return to action eased the midfield problems the outsiders encountered in recent matches as they solely missed Boon Leng's services.
The men in white certainly are a better team with Boon Leng in the middle, and his display at the heart of the Maverick's midfield showcased why the media has likened his playing style to that of spanish midfield maestro Cesc Fabregras.
The Mavericks also welcomed back star striker Zhi Fei and the ever-reliable centre-half Mike from their respective commitments. Also, the effervescent left-back Clement returns from injury but Faizy was unavailable due to international duty. Randy also got on the injury list after having slipped on the staircase and sprained his ankle after doing some breakdance moves before the match.
Once again, the Mavericks are without the services of world-class attacking midfielder Kee Siang (as usual), due to his ongoing contractual issues with the FA regarding his playing work permit.
The game started off brightly, with tireless midfielder-turned-striker Chung Wei nearly getting his name on the scoresheet. Amir played a brilliant through-pass after skipping past 2 defenders before releasing it to Chung Wei. He couldn't get the touch pass the onrushing keeper in time after being put through one-on-one, and the keeper managed to scramble the ball way.
Boon Leng and Seng Yew were playing nice touches in midfield, as team Mavericks got the ball rolling. Chao Xing had a shot from an acute angle brilliantly parried by the keeper after a typical lung-bursting run and Boon Leng nearly got his name on the scoresheet as well after Amir squared the ball from the right side of midfield. Zhi Fei had a shot saved after he managed to squeeze in a low shot from the edge of the box.
However, it wasn't the Mavericks all the way, as T.U.F.C had their fare share of chances, and they easily could have scored a couple of goals if not for the brilliance of Mavericks custodian Alex, who had 2 amazing saves at point-blank range, something Petr Cech would have been proud of.
Once again, Alex proves to be the difference in such high-octane matches, as his saves single-handedly kept his team still in the running in the match.
Half-Time Score: 0-0.
Second-half started with the rain drizzling down on the now mud-soaked pitch.
It was a fast-paced affair in the second half, with both teams having chances or rather, half-chances at either end. It was a more open game, as T.U.F.C. changed their formation to a wide 3-5-2 , and this gamble paid off as they scored against the run of play. Their number 10 managed to squeeze in a cross-shot from the right, which unfortunately crept over Alex at his far-post and landed into the net.
However, the Mavericks got an almost instant reply, after a ball from defence produced from great play between Chuan Ji and Jiun Wei reached the feet of Boon Leng, who dummied past the defensive midfielder before releasing an inch-perfect through-ball to the lurking Amir who stayed onside and controlled the ball with his right-foot before slotting it past the keeper with his left.
Brilliant equalizer from a brilliant set-up from Mavericks FC!!
However, to no avail, once again, a defensive mix-up allowed the T.U.F.C star striker room and space to squeeze in between the Maverick's defence and get on the end of a back-heeled through-pass before slotting it past the onrushing Alex to make it 2-1 to T.U.F.C.
This did not dampen the Mavericks' spirit, and from here on, the Mavericks pushed men forward, aiming to get the elusive equalizer. Boon Kee and Zhi Fei each had half-chances to equalize as well as Tommy who nearly scored after playing a neat one-two with Amir on the left flank. Seng Yew had a free-kick blocked well as well as a shot saved. Long balls from the defence looking for the runs of Boon Kee fell short as well as they were ineffective against a resolute T.U.F.C. defence which comprised several tall players. Mike was having a commanding display in defence, and it was to no surprise that it was the Mavericks who finally got the goal they deserved.
After having an earlier free-kick saved by the keeper, Amir had another chance to put things right again. Boon Kee got on the end of another brilliant ball from Boon Leng, before being felled 30 yards out at the edge of the penalty box. Amir stepped up to take the free-kick and scored a peach of a curler, which bent over the wall and past the keeper's flailing arms.
What a simply sublime goal!!!
By now, things were looking good for the Mavericks, as they pushed forward to kill the game for the winning goal. There were a fair share of chances, and the Mavericks nearly got the winner after Zhi Fei's rising shot from 20 yards was pushed away for a corner.
The resulting corner by Seng Yew....hmm...well....umm... you know what happened.
Pitch problems.
As African referee Charles blew the whistle for full time, Boon Kee said his thanks to him for giving the free-kick to team Mavericks which led to the goal.
Apparently, the referee had been fooled by Boon Kee's diving expertise, which single-handedly saved the game for the Mavericks.
What a naughty boy!
The fans left the Farrer Park field happy, as once again, their team gave them a highly-entertaining match, with plenty of exciting moments to savour.
The men in white would have been disappointed with the result, as they could have snatched a win after having the better share of possession.
However, it was nevertheless a good match, as they showed grit and determination to come from behind not once, but twice, and at least came away with something to take back home.
Great match fellas!!!
Final Score: 2-2.
posted by The Outsider at
11:52 PM
