Mavericks FC achieves promotion! Finally.
Final Score: Stamford FC 1 Mavericks FC 1
Goals: Guo Xiang ('75)
Assists: Jiun Wei
MOM: "Bob" Boon Leng
The Compassvale Arena, Seng Kang - Like the phoenix which has risen from the ashes, Mavericks FC has finally risen from the doldrums of relegation that fateful day 3 years ago when they were relegated to the 2nd Division.
A blasphemy of epic proportions, especially when they were reigning champions of top flight football just over a year ago in the 2009/2010 season.
The tears of the dedicated fans, the cries of the local myna birds, the sadness in the eyes of the bangladeshi workers loitering outside the venue where it all happened; the pain of relegation.
A sickly, sinewy dose of melancholy, engulfing this legendary club, much to the chagrin of even its most ardent fans. That fateful day; the face of football changed forever.
Mavericks FC were relegated.
But alas, now, after 3 years of blood and sweat and tears, the Outsiders can finally put this heartfelt chapter to rest once and for all.
Mavericks FC are now back where they belong.
A top of the table clash with Stamford FC was the only obstacle left for them to achieve their season objective; that was, to gain promotion.
With the Stamfordians having a couple of games in hand, the onus were on them, despite the Outsiders sitting pretty on top of the standings.
Champions? Lingering constantly in the back of the players' minds; the outside chance of winning the league was nothing but merely an afterthought.
The complete and utter incompetence of the rest of the teams in the league, meant that this was always a two-horse race. Will the Outsiders prevail? Or will Sir Stamford Raffles' legion get their way?
The blistering heat from the afternoon sun coupled by the bumpy pitch did a disservice for either teams, and free-flowing football was never the agenda today.
A boisterous response from the home crowd, discouraged the flocks of pigeons from having their day, but it gave the men in red, an unfathomable spring in their steps.
Today, history was to be made.
Mavericks FC shall prevail.
Manager Jake Tay's tactical nous, provided the Outsiders with a platform to perform. An unorthodox long ball tactic worked seamlessly to counter the threat of their highly technical opponents.
A penalty was conceded, but their jaded opponents missed. With Mavericks FC's legendary goalkeeper Alex once again brilliant, thwarting and repelling with reflex saves after reflex saves, manager Jake knew, that finally, this was their time.
His namesake, Jake Chia, was relentlessly dominant as a lone striker upfront, winning aerial duels with such unerring ease; a focal point of attack.
A masterclass display from midfield maestro "Bob" Boon Leng pulled the strings in midfield in a superb all-round performance, reminiscent of the great Zinedine Zidane.
With makeshift right-back Clarence once again justifying his expensive price tag, and the rampaging forays down the flanks from Mavericks FC's greatest ever left-footed player Clement Sar, things were looking positive.
Despite conceding an off-side goal due to the incompetence of the referee, the Outsiders never gave up. And rightly so, they were rewarded when world-class centreback Guo Xiang equalised with a thumping header from a brilliant set-piece from his partner in defence, the ever indefatigable Jiun Wei.
Things were level. And things were falling into place.
As time was running out, the pacy Jerome broke free, releasing Xiang Yi behind the defence, but the ball bobbed, and bobbed away. A chance got away, as the bouncy pitch made it impossible, as the ball went astray. Holy shite. That rhymes!
But nevertheless, it was still 1-1. And it was just about enough.
Mavericks FC held on. As the referee blew for the final whistle, the tears came rolling away. 3 years of pain. 3 years of anguish. 3 years of sadness. And it all ebbed away in an instant.
They had finally achieved what they could only dream for countless of months. Many have said they wouldn't come back.
Many have disavowed their slim chances of ever coming back again. But here they are today, right here, right now. They had achieved the unthinkable.
Disenchantment broke into relief. Relief gave way to joy. A joyous, momentous occasion to savour. Mavericks FC are back where they belong.
Welcome back to top flight football again, The Outsiders.
A blasphemy of epic proportions, especially when they were reigning champions of top flight football just over a year ago in the 2009/2010 season.
The tears of the dedicated fans, the cries of the local myna birds, the sadness in the eyes of the bangladeshi workers loitering outside the venue where it all happened; the pain of relegation.
A sickly, sinewy dose of melancholy, engulfing this legendary club, much to the chagrin of even its most ardent fans. That fateful day; the face of football changed forever.
Mavericks FC were relegated.
But alas, now, after 3 years of blood and sweat and tears, the Outsiders can finally put this heartfelt chapter to rest once and for all.
Mavericks FC are now back where they belong.
A top of the table clash with Stamford FC was the only obstacle left for them to achieve their season objective; that was, to gain promotion.
With the Stamfordians having a couple of games in hand, the onus were on them, despite the Outsiders sitting pretty on top of the standings.
Champions? Lingering constantly in the back of the players' minds; the outside chance of winning the league was nothing but merely an afterthought.
The complete and utter incompetence of the rest of the teams in the league, meant that this was always a two-horse race. Will the Outsiders prevail? Or will Sir Stamford Raffles' legion get their way?
The blistering heat from the afternoon sun coupled by the bumpy pitch did a disservice for either teams, and free-flowing football was never the agenda today.
A boisterous response from the home crowd, discouraged the flocks of pigeons from having their day, but it gave the men in red, an unfathomable spring in their steps.
Today, history was to be made.
Mavericks FC shall prevail.
Manager Jake Tay's tactical nous, provided the Outsiders with a platform to perform. An unorthodox long ball tactic worked seamlessly to counter the threat of their highly technical opponents.
A penalty was conceded, but their jaded opponents missed. With Mavericks FC's legendary goalkeeper Alex once again brilliant, thwarting and repelling with reflex saves after reflex saves, manager Jake knew, that finally, this was their time.
His namesake, Jake Chia, was relentlessly dominant as a lone striker upfront, winning aerial duels with such unerring ease; a focal point of attack.
A masterclass display from midfield maestro "Bob" Boon Leng pulled the strings in midfield in a superb all-round performance, reminiscent of the great Zinedine Zidane.
With makeshift right-back Clarence once again justifying his expensive price tag, and the rampaging forays down the flanks from Mavericks FC's greatest ever left-footed player Clement Sar, things were looking positive.
Despite conceding an off-side goal due to the incompetence of the referee, the Outsiders never gave up. And rightly so, they were rewarded when world-class centreback Guo Xiang equalised with a thumping header from a brilliant set-piece from his partner in defence, the ever indefatigable Jiun Wei.
Things were level. And things were falling into place.
As time was running out, the pacy Jerome broke free, releasing Xiang Yi behind the defence, but the ball bobbed, and bobbed away. A chance got away, as the bouncy pitch made it impossible, as the ball went astray. Holy shite. That rhymes!
But nevertheless, it was still 1-1. And it was just about enough.
Mavericks FC held on. As the referee blew for the final whistle, the tears came rolling away. 3 years of pain. 3 years of anguish. 3 years of sadness. And it all ebbed away in an instant.
They had finally achieved what they could only dream for countless of months. Many have said they wouldn't come back.
Many have disavowed their slim chances of ever coming back again. But here they are today, right here, right now. They had achieved the unthinkable.
Disenchantment broke into relief. Relief gave way to joy. A joyous, momentous occasion to savour. Mavericks FC are back where they belong.
Welcome back to top flight football again, The Outsiders.
posted by The Outsider at
8:36 PM
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