Exciting Stalemate Marred by Bad Refereeing

Date: 15 March 2008

Location: Singapore Chinese Recreational Club
Kick-off: 3pm
Opponents: S-Team

Starting line-up: Alex, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Wai Kin (Guest Player), Chris, Wei Jie, Chung Wei, Kee Siang, Fuad, Amir, Tommy,
Substitutes: Wai Lun (Guest Player)

FT score: 1-1 (HT score: 1-0)
Goals: Amir ('28)
Assists: Fuad
MOM: Alex
Yellow Card(s): Chao Xing
Injuries: Chao Xing (sprained back), Alex (virus), Jiun Wei (pulled hamstring), Amir (knee ligaments)


It was potentially any other day the Outsiders would want to forget. Having been drawn to face bitter rivals S-Team away from the comforts of homeground Stade De Sembawang and with the bulk of its first team players, (most notably Chuan Ji who was instrumental for the Outsiders' recent fine form) out of action due to injuries and commitments, Mavericks FC could only look to defend its unbeaten run with the likes of Amir, Chao Xing and Alex, though all three have been declared unfit prior to the match.

Untested guest players and highly rated new signing Chris turned up to bolster the depleted squad. With strikers Tommy and Fuad, whom have tasted little first team football for past 2 months, bookmakers have given the odds of 9-1 for the away team to open the scoring in the first half.

The Outsiders began with only 8 men, but despite the traditional rivalry, S-Team (having brought a squad twice the number of Outsiders on match day) showed sportsmanship by starting with 8 men too. Yet, with the hot weather and field condition, the Outsiders struggled to find rhythm in their play within the opening minutes. Defensive trio, Jiun Wei, Chris and Chao Xing, could barely keep S-Team or rather their no.21, at bay.

By the time the clock reached the half-hour mark, however, bolstered by the introduction of Fuad and Tommy into the game, the Outsiders turned the tables on the home team through Amir's goal in the 28th minute. Amir, though injured, overcame the pain barrier and executed another of his trademark cut-ins from the left flank and put one past the keeper to put the team in front.

Half-time, 1-0 to Mavericks.

Guest players, Wai Kin and Wai Lun, otherwise known as the "Wai Wai brothers", were introduced into the game. A visibly unfit Alex, who was still recovering from the flu virus, frustrated the resilient S-Team attackers by denying their goal-bound attempts wave after wave.

In the 70th minute, a pass made by Wai Lun was intercepted by No.21, who spared no effort in taking the ball into the penalty box and squared the ball into the corner of the goal. Alex was left totally shell-shocked and stranded by the attacker's quick reaction and agility. Fans, however, at this moment started wondering if the presence of Chuan Ji would have made the difference.

The Outsiders, being pressed to defend for most periods of the second half against S-Team's relentless attacks, suddenly brought the play back to the opponent's half again. Chao Xing almost got lucky with a cut-in from the left before he was closed down by the charging No. 10. Tommy had several chances but could not convert them to goals. But if the Outsiders had threatened to grab the win, S-Team would have dented their hopes had Alex not brilliantly denied what could have been the winning goal following the "pin-ball" efforts of the S-Team attacking duo.

When the final whistle was blown, fans of both teams alike gave a standing ovation for the two teams. The Outsiders for their determination, S-Team for their sportsmanship and ultimately the two teams for a highly entertaining stalemate.


~Chao Xing