The Outsiders Ends Season with Draw

Date: 29 March 2008

Location: North View Sec
Kick-off: 3pm
Opponents: Kawabanga FC

Starting line-up: Alex, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Clement, Randy, Chris, Mike, Chung Wei, Amir, Faizy, Zhi Fei
Substitutes: None!

FT score: 1-1 (HT score: 1-0)
Goals: Amir ('26)
Assists: Faizy
MOM: Alex

Mavericks FC ends their season with their 3rd successive draw, while maintaining their unbeaten run to 9 games.

The game kicked off in a weather that many would predict CAT 1. Kawabanga were the dominant team in terms of possession but the Outsiders proved they were no pushovers as they played a counter-attacking game which nearly paid dividends when they caught Kawabanga FC off the break.

Kawabanga FC had a few decent chances but all these chances were safely put out by our ever reliable custodian Alex, one of the favourite candidates for the 'Player of the Year' award. It was till the 26th minute when Mavericks decided to repay Alex for his hard work. Chung Wei managed to win the ball back and the ball fell to Mike, who put a through-ball to the hard running Chris. He then freed up Faizy on the right who managed to dribble into the penalty box and sets up Amir for a simple tap-in. A beautiful counter-attacking game at its very best.

The first half ended with Kawabanga FC putting on more pressure, with which the defence led by Mike and Co were at their best, winning headers and challenges, which in turn led to more counter attack being played, with players like Chung Wei and Faizy guilty of wasting chances.

The second half kicked off with the weather at its blistering hotness. Chao Xing was pushed in front as the main focal point with Zhi Fei as supporting striker. Faizy returned to his preferred role as CB. The half looks almost similar. Kawabanga just left their scoring boots at home and could not find the net after several chances.

It was until the 74th minute where they finally equalized through a thunderbolt by their star player No. 9 Karthik. But amazingly, Alex put in a great effort when he managed to palm the ball despite being off position, but the shot was too powerful and it still ended up at the back of the net.

Mavericks had also their chances. One of those was a soft header by the ever-running Chung Wei who ran in to head the ball from a Jiun Wei free kick. But it was too soft and the Kawabanga keeper managed to save the effort. Team-mates encouraged Chung Wei to go for more Zouk and MOS session in order to shake more head to improve his heading.

Referee soon blew the final whistle. But it was an exciting last 10 minutes. With both sides throwing everything they can in order to score the killer goal. Amir and Chris were injured in the process, but luckily, their injuries were not too serious.

Applause to our custodian Alex, once again saving us from our blushes. A well-deserved MOM award to the ever consistent goalkeeper of Mavericks FC. It was a hard-fought match, which the Mavericks could have won, but all in all, a draw was the fair result, bringing a great end to the season, with the Outsiders maintaining their impressive unbeaten run.