Mavericks Maintain Winning Streak

Date: 12 July 2008

Location: Stade de Sembawang
Kickoff: 3pm
Opponents: Carrera FC

Starting line-up: Alex, Chris, Chao Xing, Chuan Ji, Clement, Jiun Wei, Wei Jie, Chin Yuen, Chung Wei, Seng Yew, Amir.

Substitutes: Calvin


FT Score: 3-1 (HT Score: 2-1)
Goals: Jiun Wei ('25), Amir ('29), Chung Wei ('84)
Assists: Chin Yuen, Amir
MOM: Alex/ Chris


Mavericks FC continue their winning run with a nervous 3-1 victory over relatively unknown opponents Carrera FC. The Outsiders have now won their third game on the trot and this further extends their unbeaten run to an impressive 6 games.

The match kicked off late due to FIFA referee of the year nominee Charles, who arrived late from his flight back from Nigeria. He rushed here in his holiday suit, but was caught up halfway when he found out he had lost his golden whistle! Sure enough, due to his professional ethnics, he managed to blow off the match with a spare whistle he bought when he was in Nigeria.

The Carreras kicked off the match with imposing presence, with their players having an average height of 1.8 m. The battle in the air was mostly won by the Carreras as a result. The midfielders of Carrera FC were dominating possession too, and one of the players who shone was their right back Yong Chun Federer, cousin of tennis king Roger Federer, who proved that the Federers were not only good in tennis, but also football.

But it was the Outsiders who stole the lead in the 24th min through a well-taken free kick from Jiun Wei from 30 yards out. The ball was applied with so much spin that the goalkeeper had no chance of saving even though he got his hands on the ball.

The Outsiders then doubled their lead with a quickfire goal. A loose ball fell to guest player Chin Yuen, who immediately release the ball to star winger Amir, despite being in a awkward position to release the ball. It turned out to be an inch-perfect over the top ball which simply showed his play-making class. The follow up action was Amir's usual routine over the season again and again, that is, putting the ball into the net as he drove a left-footed shot past the onrushing keeper. Even the statistics table were unable to keep track of how many goals the flying winger has scored so far in his Mavericks career.

Carrera FC proved they are not about to lose hope yet despite being 2 goals down, when they pulled one back with their No 9. He unleashed a thunderbolt from some 26 yards outside the penalty box. The ball was deflected and went past keeper Alex, who had a solid game between the post, saving the Mavericks blushes many times during the match. First half ended 2-1, in favor of the Outsiders.

Second half started with the Mavericks switching to a 4-5-1 formation, with Chung playing as emergency lone striker, hoping his tireless runs and pestering can create some trouble for the Carrera defence. Sure enough, the pitbull's runs nearly paid dividends when he was released down the right from a through ball and squared the ball to incoming Amir, who blasted it just over the bar to the agony of the fans.

The match seemed to end at 2-1, as Carrera FC were unable to penetrate Mavericks FC's stubborn defence led by Chuan Ji and Chris. It was during the last few mins of the game when a mighty diagonal ball from the mighty right back Chris which found Amir on the left in space. The no.14 made a dash into the penalty box, only to find that the keeper was on his way to close him down. The goalie could not catch the ball well, and Amir took the chance to back pass the ball to an incoming Chung who took it first time and lobbed the ball into an empty net. It was the nail in the coffin for Carrera FC and their hopes of a comeback were dashed.

Well done Mavericks! Kudos to Alex who kept us in the game as always as well as Chris who showed his infectious tenacity throughout the match. And Jiun wei for delivering our first free kick goal of the season. Way to go! Final Score: 3-1.