Unknowns fight back magnificently from early setback

Unknowns United fought back magnificently from an early setback at Northview Secondary on Sunday, coming back from a goal down to thump five goals past the opposition, in a bruising encounter whereby tempers often threatened to boil over.

Unknowns were matched up against a rather physical and pacy team that pulled no punches in their somewhat brutal challenges. With a sprinkle of thai, myanmarese and china players in their team, they started off brightly against the Unknowns.

The Unknowns were inactive last Sunday and were still trying to shake off the rustiness when the opposition took the lead through a huge slice of luck. In the 15th minute, a long throw into the Unknowns box bobbled around dangerously and took a wicked bounce through Hanwei's legs, an opposition forward pounced greedily and slammed a fierce shot past Yingjie for the lead.

If the opponents felt safe about the 1-0 lead, they were horribly wrong. Unknowns FC's policy these days seems to be: You score one against us, we'll thump five back. 1-0 down and who do you look to? Look no further than star striker Zhenrong, who had recorded two successive hat-tricks and was gunning for his "Turkey" (Three successive Hat-Tricks).

In the 22nd minute, out of nowhere and against all odds, Zhenrong sprinted and chased down a loose ball outside the opposition's penalty. With sheer pace and determination, he got there before any defender could react and fired a venomous shot past the keeper for the equaliser.

Inspired by the equaliser, Unknowns grew from strength to strength and soon took the lead. Midfielder Gabby turbo-charged from the halfway line into the opposition's penalty area where the ball was messily poked away by an opposition defender, Jianhua's predatory instincts enabled him to be in the right place at the right time as he pounced on the loose ball and said "Thank You very much" and slammed the ball past the keeper.

Tempers flared when midfield hardman Hanwei was left sprawling on the ground after an X-rated challenge from the opposition. Despite seeing Hanwei writhing in pain on the floor, the offending player showed no remorse and even had the audacity to accuse Hanwei of acting. Harsh words were exchanged, finally the referee stepped in to quell tempers.

Unknowns knew that the best way to teach these Goons a lesson was to beat them on the field, and they proceeded to do so convincingly. After some nifty footwork and quick exchange of passes down the left flank between Jason and Leslie, the latter sent a superb cross using his outer right foot and Zhenrong finished with aplomb for his second goal.

Zhenrong had a glorious chance to grab his "turkey" when partner-in-crime Jianhua slid a perfect through ball to put him clear. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Zhenrong fired way over the crossball. He would soon make amends by hauling a massive long throw into the box to create mayhem. Jianhua, with his back facing the goal and seemingly no clear route to goal, he improvised a "Frank Lampard" half-back kick. The stumped keeper could only watch haplessly as the ball creeped into the back of the net. Brilliant.

4-1 but the Unknowns did not let up but continued their pursuit of goals relentlessly. The opposition never gave up and continued to launch a few attacks of their own. Their pacy myanmarese winger came inches close to pulling back an equaliser.

The last ten minutes saw the opposition try desperately to salvage another consolation goal, they threatened and forced a series of corners which were well defended by the unknowns. Another corner flew in which the unknowns cleared, the ball landed at the feet of captain Apple and straightaway he led the counter-attack. With several players providing him options to play the short pass, Apple had the vision to launch a "Cesc Fabregas" long through ball all the way upfield. Zhenrong latched onto it and facing the keeper one on one, there was only going to be one victor. Wham, Turkey completed. 3 successive hat-tricks for the hottest striker in Sunday soccer.

5-1, and the Unknowns roll on with their 7th win out of the past 8 games. They have plundered 47 goals in just 13 games this season.