ARFC was supported by Katie (Nova’s daughter) and Elvis’ children (Tiara, Gina and Dylan).
At the request of the opponents, the match was played in three 30-min periods.
ARFC took to the pitch with this 4-4-2 line-up:
Jersey No.: | Name | Position |
27 | Commanding Jeremy | Goalkeeper |
13 | Bullet Nova | Right back |
28 | Hard-man Tjioe | Sweeper |
15 | Towering Toh | Stopper |
6 | Unbeatable Darren | Left back |
16 | Marauding Guoxiong | Right mid |
7 | Influential Sebastian (Captain) | Centre Mid |
23 | Talented Chun Haw | Centre Mid |
11 | Steely Tze Ern | Left Mid |
21 | Devastating Dominic | Striker |
18 | Wonder Wayne | Striker |
Substitutes: | ||
3 | Astute-reading sweeper Elvis |
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xx | Xin (guest player) |
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xx | Lek (guest player) |
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Missing In Action: | ||
2 | Remarkable Rashid |
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4 | Dynamic Soon |
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5 | Energetic Kerwin |
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8 | Versatile Allan |
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9 | ARFC Scoring Legend Haron |
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10 | Sublime Khim |
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12 | Elegant Lip Sen |
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14 | Combative Ron |
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17 | Nippy Kenny |
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19 | Skillful Wei Lit |
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20 | Composed Eng Lai |
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22 | Elegant Keith |
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24 | Fearless Chong Ghee |
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25 | Speedy Jovin |
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26 | Rampaging Raymond |
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30 | Divine Delon |
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66 | Vintage Chua |
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77 | Robust Hong Lee |
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79 | Enigma Enoch |
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88 | Talisman Derrick |
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98 | Impeccable How Meng |
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99 | Powerful Alvin |
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ARFC dominated the first 30-min period with a dominating performance with good passing and running into space.
In the 11th min, ARFC opened the scoring from a precise corner by Tze Ern on the left. Tze Ern whipped the ball into the danger area just outside the 6-yard box line. Both Chun Haw and Dominic jumped for the ball and either one could have scored but Chun Haw was just inches ahead of Dominic to head home that left their GK stranded.
1-0 and this was Chun Haw’s 122nd ARFC goal.
Jeremy then produced the save of the match when he fisted away a fierce shot that looked destined for goal.
7 mins later, ARFC extended its lead from another good move on the left. From a corner, Tze Ern played a short one to Wayne who returned the ball to Tze Ern. Tze Ern then cut back to Wayne who made his way down the left byline before sending in a great cross into the box. Showing great awareness, Toh stole in front of his marker before powering a firm header that saw the ball went in off the left post.
2-0 and this was Toh’s 109th ARFC goal, ending his long goal drought since his last ARFC goal in a 4-1 win over the Republic Polytechnic on 28 Aug 2023!
ARFC then proceeded to miss a few good chances to put the result to bed.
Dominic, who was a livewire throughout the match, then earned a foil after he was brought down yet again. Sebastian stood up and curled in a wicked free-kick that looked to be creeping in at the near post until their GK made a flying save to turn the ball over for a corner. Unlucky!
From yet another superb corner from Tze Ern, Dominic just headed over the bar by 0.77 mm.
In the 2nd period, Elvis, Xin and Lek came on.
Dominic and Chun Haw then squandered great chances.
Xin then fizzed in a low grounder with his outside right foot that saw Chun Haw breaking clear but he shot tamely at their GK.
ARFC then conceded a contentious penalty which was converted by the opponents. 2-1 now.
The opponents then grabbed the equaliser. 2-2 now.
In the 3rd period, the match was still all-square until Dominic was fouled yet again on the right.
Presiding over the ball, Sebastian delivered the ball to the near post and Dominic demonstrated great predatory instinct when he pulled away from his marker before planting a world-class header into the bottom near post that left their GK rooted to his spot. 3-2 now
Great goal from Dominic who has incredibly netted 4 goals in just 3 ARFC matches.
Unfortunately, ARFC conceded another goal to draw 3-3.
It was a good performance from ARFC but probably let down by some wasteful finishes.
Also, by the 3rd period, it was quite clear that we were tiring as we only had 3 subs and Wayne bravely soldiered on despite carrying a back injury.
Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Tjioe and Toh, though Jeremy and Dominic did very well too.
