Mavericks Wins! (title lacks creativity, i know)

FT Score: Mavericks FC 3 Kawabanga FC 1

Scorers: Leon ('27), Amir ('37, '52)
Assist: Chris, Kee Siang, Wei Jie
MOM: Kee Siang


Woodlands Ring of Fire Stadium, Sierra Leone - Mavericks FC returned to winning ways on Saturday, after an assured display in the blistering heat of the afternoon in a 3-1 away victory over Kawabanga FC.

The Outsiders welcomed back their star players into their first team line-up, with a virtually full-strength squad with only classy targetman Khai out, who is still on international duty.

The other notable absentee was veteran midfielder Seng Yew who is out directing a screenplay for a new gay spanish movie, "El Homosexuales!".

Chuan Ji started alongside impressive new signing Shi Jie in the centre of defence, with the travelling fans gleaming in anticipation at the prospect of the new defensive partnership.

The away team started off brightly, with the on-form Wei Jie pulling the strings in midfield alongside the returning Faizy.

Darran, and new signing Leon looked threatening on the wings, as they look to supply the strike force of Kee Siang and Amir upfront.

Before long, the Outsiders took the deserved lead, after another trademark overlap from World Class right-back Christiano as he crossed a superb ball into the box for Leon to direct the ball into the bottom corner of the net with a fine header. 1-0.

Christiano is playing like Jose Bosingwa + Sergio Ramos + Daniel Alves with Gary Neville looks! Okay joking la. Gary Neville more handsome. Ooooh! Who can resist that moustache! Gary Neville is like so so so so darn hot... andandand sexay!

The legendary Kee Siang's influence grew as the half wore on, as he left the opponents chasing shadows. Yup. Shadows. As in, there wasn't only one shadow. There were like, so darn many, and it was like he was everywhere. Awesomeness personified!

Then, the Mavericks number 7 twisted and swiveled past his 4th marker (yup, 4 markers) and cut back a brilliantly threaded ball into forward Amir's path, who cut past a defender, before finishing it with a sweetly struck left-footed low shot into the bottom corner of the net. 2-0.

Second half started off differently, with the home team making strides into the final 3rd of the pitch with increasing efficiency. Clement, nicknamed, "The Evra who isn't Black" had another fine outing, as he shut out attacks down the left side effectively.

By now, Captain Chao Xing and Jiun Wei had entered the fray to bolster the midfield as the team looked to hold on to their stranglehold of the match.

The men in white were duly rewarded, as against the run of play, Wei Jie curled a great ball (if not, accidental one, so he says) over the top for Amir to put the match to the sword.

The Mavericks no.14 beat the offside trap, and raced past the keeper before tapping it into the open net to cap off his fine return. 3-0.

Then, a moment of controversy occured, once again adding weight to the already exhaustive nature of the "diving" debate that world football is facing right now.

Darran appeared to have been felled in the box by the onrushing keeper, who was already cleanly beaten by the winger's brilliant turn of pace. However, the referee waved play on.

No penalty, much to the chagrin of the travelling Mavericks fans in the stands. Controversy or no controversy, the referee ignored the protests.

But then again, what is controversy without Darran and his diving antics, which were an awe-aspiring sight to behold, and an inspiration to us all.

But the efforts of the Kawabangaians weren't to no avail however, as they pulled one back late in the game, with 4 minutes remaining on the clock.

But it was a case of too little, too late.

Final Score 3-1.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mavericks Correspondent Ji-Sung Park was in the thick of the action, and managed to catch up with combative midfielder Faizy in the dressing room after the final whistle was blown.


Ji-Sung: Great victory today. So, how does it feel like to return to action after a month without football?

The team has been sorely missing your combative nature in the middle of the park in the previous games, and on account of today's performance, you are back in business and it didn't seem like you were out that long as many had expected a rusty display from you today.

In fact, good news for you as the !Kung Bushmen tribe leader !ikuna Klanakwokongo, who was our guest of honour today, was mighty pleased with your display today, and specially reserved high praises for your performance and told the press that you were the key player today, besides man of match Kee Siang as well as Wei Jie.

He has even invited you to their village for the Great Spank Festival later tonight where they will be many women in mudhouses who would graciously welcome you into their bosoms.

The great leader has even offered you his trophy elephant-wife as a token of appreciation for your efforts tonight. Surely, you would be pleased!

So, Mr Faizy, what are you comments?

Faizy: No mood.


And that was the last time Ji-Sung Park was Mavericks Correspondent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ 14

Match @ Woodlands Ring Secondary

Time: 2.45pm
Kit: White
Pre-match focus: set-piece, goal-kick, freekick (direct)

Playing (12 confirmed names)

1. Chao Xing
2. Alex
3. Amir
4. Christiano
5. Chuan Ji
6. Clement
7. Faizee
8. Jiun Wei
9. Kee Siang
10. Leon
11. Shi Jie
12. Wei Jie

unconfirmed

1. Seng Yew
2. Darran

yet to respond

1. Chung Wei

out

1. Jake
2. Jerome
3. Mike
4. Randy
5. Wei Long
6. Midzi
   

Welcome Leon & Shi Jie

Leon, the skilful winger
Liverpool fan. (YAYS)

Nick: xiaoboi
Preferred squad number (s): 32, 19, 15.
Positions: AM RL, ST

Shi Jie, the guy who loves Darran Low.. LOL.
Liverpool and Steve Mcmanaman fan (YAYS x2)

Preferred squad number (s): 2, 19, 23 , 24
Hobbies: Fishing/Prawning/Movies/Stereo/Soccer/Badminton/
Gaming/Gadgets/HTSystems etc.
Work: Ministry of Home Affairs
Positions: D C, DM



Guys, remember to add our new teammates on facebook and msn yeah..

Match Details For This Weekend

The system we are moving on to is such that you only need to click once to indicate attendance.

Click the link below if you have not seen the email notification.

http://www.nike.com/playmaker/join-game.jsp?ref=KmsVh61323&locale=en_GB

1. Check if your name is already in the "Thinking" list, these are the people who haven't responded. I hope to have close to zero "thinkers" every week.

2. If yes, check your junk mail folder and follow the link. If no, move on to 3.

3. If you are not invited yet, please enter your name and valid email address (for future match invites) and click on "I'm in!"

It's as simple as that. Remember to check your email, as you always did with our blog, for match updates.

p.s. I've registered for Faizee, I assume you are playing this week!

Admin Issues

For the new players, I need your contact info as follows: (sendto: mavericks.fc@gmail.com)

Name:
Contact number:
Email:
Preferred squad number (s): [1st choice, 2nd choice...]

For player profiles: (click here to view existing squad page)

Height:
Weight:
Preferred Position(s):
Preferred Foot:


Additional short writeup if you want us to know more about you..

Favourite club/player:
Hobbies:

Match Notification Issues

I am trying out a new system of email notification about matches. It will send out match invitations and information through the email account I have registered. All you need to do is to open up your email and click on the link to accept the invitation and view match details.

Look out for emails sent by me. I have tried out the system last week but apparently only Amir responded. For the rest, please unblock my email address and don't let it go to the junk folders. Thanks!


(my personal email: xaxa85@gmail.com)



p.s. the email address that I have is according to your msn contacts. If you wish to switch to another email, please inform me via email thru mavericks.fc@hotmail.com

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

To all Muslim playing staff and friends of Mavericks, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Mavericks' Winning Streak Brought to An Abrupt End

Starting Lineup: Alex(GK), Chao Xing(RB), Gilbert(LB), Kenny(CB), Shi Jie(CB), Darran (RM), Leon (LM), Wei Jie (CM), Kelvin (CM), Jiun Wei (CM), Tai Ming (ST)

Subs: none

FT Score: 0-2

Needless to say much. Outplayed and outmuscled. Victory would have been achieveable, but not with a makeshift team. The regulars who turned up, played their hearts out, hoping against all odds to bring a fourth consecutive victory for those who didn't turn up. But the efforts were in vain. No penalties earned. Some cramps suffered by a few players. But everyone lasted 90 full minutes. We persevered till the end.

I am grateful for people who are helping me monitor the attendance as well as those who had to ring up their friends last min to make up the numbers. Cheers to all who have continued to mark Saturday matches as a commitment, not just any other recreational activity. For perpetual absentees without a good reason and whom still felt no guilt towards the rest of team, I only have 3 words, "WTF."

Match Preview

Date: 19 Sept 09
Venue: Regent Sec (CCK)
Kickoff: 3pm
Opponents: ??
Kit: White
Cost: $120

Players available:

• Jiun Wei
• Alex
• Leon
• xinGz
• Shi Jie
• Darran
• Wei Jie
• Kelvin (guest)
• Chung Wei
• Wei Jie friend 1
• Wei Jie friend 2

Players doutbful:

Clement (sick)

Players out:

Jake
Kee Siang
Amir
Chuan Ji
Wei Long
Seng Yew

Outsiders Didn't Get As Lucky as Before..

A week ago, the Outsiders faced the challenge of breaking the curse of a consecutive win-lose streaks and duly delivered by achieving a somewhat surprising 1-0 win over Chelsea, thanks to in-form Alex who denied not one, not two but at least three almost certain goals.

A week later, at the same hot hot Temasek Secondary School, where the Outsiders are missing even more key players this time round [Jiun Wei (gambling), Kee Siang (unknown), Chuan Ji (Tuition), Amir, Khai, Clarence, Barry and Chung (holidays)], the low morale seemed to have dampened the chances of achieving an unprecedented 3rd win in a row. But the only consolation was Darran and Shi Jie's return to the first team and a guest appearance by Wesley, a speedy right winger on trial with the Outsiders.

OK FC started with brilliant passing, exploiting the Outsiders' inability to contain quick counters. Their strategy seemed to be simple. Draw the Outsiders deep into their half before latching the ball behind the relatively stagnant midfield and then overloading the final third with more attackers than defenders.

And without surprises, OK FC took the lead with a brilliant through ball leaving Alex helpless to fend off the attacker in a one-on-one situation. The game was virtually killed off by that goal, as fans expected the players to lose spirit after conceding.

And through a silly mistake, in which OK FC's centreback mistook the throw-in for a goalkick and handled it in the box. Team Mavericks earned a freak penalty and Randy proved earlier critics wrong by converting the spot-kick with his leg, not his head.

Mavericks relentless charged the opponents in the second half but the game seemed destined for a draw after Chao Xing missed the best goal-scoring chance of the game. Jerome, ever dangerous on the right, sent in a tricky cross into the box but the man who scored in a similar fashion against Rantau Rovers, simply could not connect with it properly under pressure after cutting in from the left.

As the game entered its final minutes, Seng Yew sent in a long goal kick which found Leon through on goal, only for the new signing to be brought down by the keeper in the box. The referee was lenient by not sending the keeper off for a professional foul but awarded the penalty nonetheless.

Wei Jie took the penalty calmly by placing the shot into left corner of the net, scoring the winning goal to earn the Outsiders a third win in a row. Fans were jubilant as the final whistle blew after their beloved team survived some last minute barrage from OK FC. Team Mavericks wasn't as lucky as last week, they just got luckier. Final official score, 2-1 to the Outsiders.


Match summary:

Mavericks 2 - 1 OK FC

Scorers: Randy (Pen'67), Wei Jie (Pen'80)
Assists: Leon
MOM: Leon (for suffering a calf cramp to earn the winning penalty.. LOL!)

Match Preview

Date: 12 Sept 09
Venue: Temasek Sec AGAIN!
Kickoff: 3pm
Opponents: OK FC
Kit: White
Costs: $100
Referee: Unknown

Players avaialble:

Jake
Clement
Chao Xing
Wei Long
Seng Yew
Alex
Leon
Darran
Shi Jie
Wei Jie
Jerome


Players doutbful:


Player out:


Sorry guys, First Toa Payoh sec has been taken back by SSC, nothing we can do. The organiser booked Temasek Sec already, hence the venue can't be changed. See ya there.

Charlene-Torres Tan!

Singapore is about to have a new singing sensation and none of you will disagree that Charlene has what it takes to become the first female Singapore Idol!

She has an AMAZING voice and she is a Chiobu!

So Vote Vote Vote!

Catch Singapore Idol every Wednesday at 8pm and the same day results show at 10pm!

So you only have about 2 hours to vote for her!

VOTE FOR CHARLENE!

CALL 1900 - 112 -1208!

Vote for her THIS COMING WEDNESDAY!


Or else YOU WILL BE BENCHED for the next 5 matches!
And you'll just watch the match! No playing time I tell ya!

Mavericks Survived Close Shave to Break Win-lose Curse

Mavericks 1 - 0 Chelsea
Wei Jie (Pen'76)

Assist: Torrence
MOM: Alex



Not much left to say except that although several Mavericks stars were missing for the match, at least the lucky stars didn't abandon the Outsiders.

Despite the defensive errors and unanswered calls for offsides, there was at least still the man to save the blushes from some schoolboy errors.

And that man was none other than Alex the custodian.

The Mavericks no.1's match display had been nothing but spectacular. The most notable moment include the first half save that saw the outstretched keeper just tipping a deceivingly looping header that seemed destined for the net. Another breath-taking incident saw Alex deny several one-on-one situations, in which he injured his ankle in the process due to a collision.

Guest players Torrence and Manfred played well and their inclusion added more depth and flair in the squad that has been plagued by numerous player absentees.

Late in the game, Mavericks were left exposed on the left flank on several occasions as rightback Chris looked slightly out of sorts for the day, having pressed too far forward.

The game ended after 90 minutes of hot sun, separated by a single strike by Wei Jie, after Torrence was brought down in the box.

The 25-year-old midfielder, however, was not totally pleased, even though it turned out to be the winning goal of the game. After the match, he was quoted as saying to reporters that the penalty cost him $50. Suspicions of match-fixing?

Wei Jie quickly quelled any potential match-fixing scandal stirrups by clarifying at the post-match conference that he had not taken the shot properly and it had cost him his beloved boots.

All in all, it was good fortune indeed for the Outsiders as the opponents definitely played well enough to deserve at least a draw with the chances that were denied by Alex.

How will the next fixture go at First Toa Payoh Secondary? With Chris almost definitely out due to personal reasons, Alex and Kee Siang doubtful with injury, Faizy, Amir and Khai not likely to start until the fasting season is over... the Outsiders may yet be subjected to another test of character next week. But Chuan Ji may be slated for a return after personal commitments had forced him out of previous matches. Stay tuned for more updates.

Nike Playmaker

Hey guys,

I got this from Aurelius, or for some of us who know him better as Oreo. This is if in case you didn't spot the url from my previous post or from the quicklinks. Please check out the webbie, could be useful, especially for the "you know who you are" important fellas who have been helping me with all the administration work. Thanks. I'm seriously considering changing to an email notification system. We could have a sms system but the webbie doesn't support sms notification outside britain. Unless you got a better website that offers the service or the computer techies can write a programme that does the same job.



http://www.nike.com/playmaker/

Match Preview

Date: 5 Sept 09
Venue: Temasek Sec (Click to see map)
Kick off: 3pm
Opponents: Chelsea FC
Ref: Aza
Kit: WHITE
Costs: $100?

Players available: (probable lineup)

Alex (GK)

Jiun Wei (RB)

Jake (DM)

Chris (CB?)

Leon (LM)

Chao Xing (M)

Seng Yew (CB)

Clement (LB)

Randy (ST)

Wei Long(ST)

Wei Jie (M)

Jerome (RM)

Torrence (guest player)

Players doubtful:


Players out:

• Amir (fasting)
• Faizy (fasting)
• Kee Siang (rested for international duty)
• Chuan Ji (fasting??)

The organiser has provided a really very very very good hint for us this weekend - the opponent is strong! Be prepared.

Communication in match availability

The current SMS relay is not as efficient as it were before. Nor is posting on the blog. I often see very late replies on Friday and we have to manually collate attendance. I am considering moving to another platform, Nike Playmaker. (URL: http://www.nike.com/playmaker/) Basically for the organiser to automatically sends email to selected players who are registered to inform match details and for players to indicate availability at the click of a mouse.

I am also considering making every match a facebook event which works around the same ideology to make it convenient for everyone. We have experimented that idea before in the league debut.

So please give constructive opinions or suggestions if any, regarding the communication medium.

Also another point to note, with regards to confirming match availability, please do not confuse the organisers with strange names or professional players' names. Because the collating of attendance normally falls to a select few. It can get a little frustrating when either players haven't RSVP or you don't really know exactly who are playing.

I know some of you are familiar with Lazio players (not like most of us who only know EPL). That is cool indeed. But there are different time slots for fun and serious business. If you are our player, please use a nick that we can easily identify you with. (e.g. christiano, jake, sar are acceptable)

We have established a team culture that emphasizes on professionalism and equality. Although we are not professional full-time players, but we have never assumed that we don't have to behave like one. The Outsiders, for example, don't punch or taunt opponents unnecessarily. And I am very proud of the image portrayed by the team. Which is why I respect every single one of us as mature young adults. So I hope, in return, you will not do or say anything that seems to imply that you are taking the organisers for granted. Otherwise, let's focus on the next match and break the roller-coaster trend. We must win.