Mavericks Win in Hard-Fought Victory
Date: 26 January 2008
Location: Stade De Sembawang
Kick-off: 3pm
Opponents: Las Hearutsusu F.C.
Starting line-up: Alex, Faizy, Chuan Ji, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Wei Jie, Chung Wei, Mike, Jerome Boon Kee, Seng Yew, Fuad
Substitutes: Clement, Boon Leng, Amir, Wei Long
FT score: 1-0 (HT score: 0-0)
Goals: Wei Long ('70)
Assists: Jiun Wei
Clean Sheet Assists: Jiun Wei, Clement, Chuan Ji, Faizy
MOM: Jiun Wei
Best Smile: Mike
Mavericks FC followed up their recent 6-1 demolition of Team Uncles, with a laboured and professional 1-0 victory over Las Hearutsusu. Despite being the more inventive of the two teams, the Mavericks could not find the net more than once. However, Mavericks FC should take heart from their outstanding defensive performance that kept the opposition attacks at bay, save for some corner kicks from the Hearts that had the Mavericks' hearts in their mouths.
The solitary winning goal scored by forward Wei Long, reminiscent of a certain goal poacher known as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, was enough to settle a match that is far more entertaining than the scoreline suggests. Far more entertaining than the recent Newcastle vs Bolton match, anyway.
Barely five minutes from kickoff, Mavericks FC managed to find the woodwork. Receiving a brilliant through ball from Seng Yew, winger Jerome tried an ambitious lob from the left edge of the penalty box, which dipped and came off the top of the crossbar.
Soon after, it was the Hearts' turn to rattle the woodwork, with power forward Kenny unleashing a vicious shot from 20 yards out, finding the wrong side of the left upright.
The rest of the first half saw the hosts play some pretty attacking football, but without the final killer ball. The defence, led by the ever-impressive Chuan Ji and towering defender Mike, was assured and more than capable of dealing with all the high balls that the visitors are booting at them. Faizy was also in the thick of the action, thwarting wave after wave of attacks from the men in yellow. The Mavericks defence held on, and thus it was goal-less at half time.
Mavericks FC went into the second half with a more attacking mentality, searching and hungry for goals. Wing wizard Amir, re-charged after half time, sent a trademark scissors kick centimetres over the bar. Tireless midfielder Chung Wei also swivelled to send a shot just clearing the top of the bar.
Next came the defining moment which effectively sealed the result. A teasing cross from the right by attacking full-back Jiunwei was flicked on at the near post by Wei Long's outstretched foot. This vital contact steered the ball into the back of the net. Perhaps Manchester City could do with a predatory striker like Wei Long, instead of buying more attacking midfielders and relying on the "ever-reliable" Darius Vassell.
Buoyed by finally scoring the opening goal, Mavericks FC went in search of a killer second goal. They almost did through the pace and trickery of Amir, an outstanding product of the Nani Academy, when he guided a cross-shot from a difficult angle millimetres wide off the far post. The home team managed to see their slim advantage through to the final whistle, with midfield enforcer Boon Leng, back in action for the first time this year, making several crucial interventions.
This 1-0 victory represents a more mature and efficient display from the heady 7-6 days. A brilliant team performance from Mavericks FC. Bravo!
Note:
Chao Xing and Mike ineligible for the award for clean sheet assist as they have not fulfilled the 75% playing time in defence.
Location: Stade De Sembawang
Kick-off: 3pm
Opponents: Las Hearutsusu F.C.
Starting line-up: Alex, Faizy, Chuan Ji, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Wei Jie, Chung Wei, Mike, Jerome Boon Kee, Seng Yew, Fuad
Substitutes: Clement, Boon Leng, Amir, Wei Long
FT score: 1-0 (HT score: 0-0)
Goals: Wei Long ('70)
Assists: Jiun Wei
Clean Sheet Assists: Jiun Wei, Clement, Chuan Ji, Faizy
MOM: Jiun Wei
Best Smile: Mike
Mavericks FC followed up their recent 6-1 demolition of Team Uncles, with a laboured and professional 1-0 victory over Las Hearutsusu. Despite being the more inventive of the two teams, the Mavericks could not find the net more than once. However, Mavericks FC should take heart from their outstanding defensive performance that kept the opposition attacks at bay, save for some corner kicks from the Hearts that had the Mavericks' hearts in their mouths.
The solitary winning goal scored by forward Wei Long, reminiscent of a certain goal poacher known as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, was enough to settle a match that is far more entertaining than the scoreline suggests. Far more entertaining than the recent Newcastle vs Bolton match, anyway.
Barely five minutes from kickoff, Mavericks FC managed to find the woodwork. Receiving a brilliant through ball from Seng Yew, winger Jerome tried an ambitious lob from the left edge of the penalty box, which dipped and came off the top of the crossbar.
Soon after, it was the Hearts' turn to rattle the woodwork, with power forward Kenny unleashing a vicious shot from 20 yards out, finding the wrong side of the left upright.
The rest of the first half saw the hosts play some pretty attacking football, but without the final killer ball. The defence, led by the ever-impressive Chuan Ji and towering defender Mike, was assured and more than capable of dealing with all the high balls that the visitors are booting at them. Faizy was also in the thick of the action, thwarting wave after wave of attacks from the men in yellow. The Mavericks defence held on, and thus it was goal-less at half time.
Mavericks FC went into the second half with a more attacking mentality, searching and hungry for goals. Wing wizard Amir, re-charged after half time, sent a trademark scissors kick centimetres over the bar. Tireless midfielder Chung Wei also swivelled to send a shot just clearing the top of the bar.
Next came the defining moment which effectively sealed the result. A teasing cross from the right by attacking full-back Jiunwei was flicked on at the near post by Wei Long's outstretched foot. This vital contact steered the ball into the back of the net. Perhaps Manchester City could do with a predatory striker like Wei Long, instead of buying more attacking midfielders and relying on the "ever-reliable" Darius Vassell.
Buoyed by finally scoring the opening goal, Mavericks FC went in search of a killer second goal. They almost did through the pace and trickery of Amir, an outstanding product of the Nani Academy, when he guided a cross-shot from a difficult angle millimetres wide off the far post. The home team managed to see their slim advantage through to the final whistle, with midfield enforcer Boon Leng, back in action for the first time this year, making several crucial interventions.
This 1-0 victory represents a more mature and efficient display from the heady 7-6 days. A brilliant team performance from Mavericks FC. Bravo!
Note:
Chao Xing and Mike ineligible for the award for clean sheet assist as they have not fulfilled the 75% playing time in defence.
posted by The Outsider at
6:30 PM
