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!)