ARFC turns in 6-star performance

Dear ARFC warriors:

ARFC bounced back from its 2 successive losses with a comprehensive trouncing of Marauders by the scoreline of 6-1 in front of the ever-faithful 77,777 ARFC fans at ITE Stadia.

In view of the poor attendance, Sebastiano called up quick-silver Derrick Teh and Kelvin (Rendezvous FC’s keeper) to boost up its strength. ARFC also received a welcome boost with the return of astute-reading Elvis who missed last week’s game with last-minute work commitments. Also, Toh was released from his ICT after one of ARFC’s Board of Directors wrote an appeal letter to Teo Chee Hean, the Defence Minister, for his release.

However, as Kelvin was late for the game, hard-working Tong volunteered as GK. Elvis and Towering Toh guarded the centre, with determined Huiming and the ever-improving Bernard flanking it. In the middle, Kiat Gulam and Sebastiano have the sublime Khim and quick0silver Derrick at their sides. Up front, ARFC scoring legend partnered the powerful Alvin. WO Neo and the still-injured and unpredictable Blackburn were the subs. Kelvin later arrived for the game. Again, would like to place on record ARFC’s appreciation for Blackburn’s attendance despite his injury.

Roared on by the faithful fans, ARFC started the match with fire in their stomaches as Huiming had promised the fans of an improved showing after 2 successive losses. In the 7th min, Sebastiano released a quick ball down the left to Alvin who beat their right-back before squaring the ball across for Kiat Gulam to tap in the first goal. The opponents protested that the ball had earlier crossed the line but their protests were waved away by the referee. 1-0.

In the 17th min, ARFC doubled its lead after yet another long ball to the right to quick-silver Derrick. Beating a player, Derrick sent the ball across the penalty area and under pressure from our strikers, their defender clumsily put the ball into its own net. 2-0. By now, the fans smelled a victory and began chanting “Win, Win, win” for 7 minutes.

ARFC’s 3rd goal came soon after. The sublime-Khim engineered a superb ball down the left flank to the over-lapping Bernard who swept a beautiful ball to Haron. Haron’s initial shot was parried by their keeper but he kept his composure to easily lob the ball for ARFC’s 3rd goal.

Minutes into the second half, ARFC won a free-kick on the left. Up stepped the unpredictable Blackburn to deliver a ball aimed at Towering Toh. Their keeper misjudged the ball and Toh scored this time not with his head but with his thigh. 4-0!!! The fans started chanting “Blackburn!Blackburn!Blackburn!” and an ITE wave was started and lasted for about 7 minutes.

The opponents pulled a goal back after Kelvin hesitated in a through ball. 4-1!!

ARFC, however, continued its good play. In the 57th min, the hard-working Tong won a challenge in the middle of the park and dinged a through ball to powerful Alvin. Alvin did not disappoint the fans and he scored ARFC’s fifth goal with a cool finish.

The icing on the cake came in the 67th min. Sebastiano beat 2 players on the right flank and sent in a high ball to the left to Kiat Gulam. Kiat Gulam paid the ball back to Derrick who coolly side-footed the ball home for ARFC’s 6th goal.

Minutes before the end, WO Neo nearly scored the goal of the game with his 37-metres thunderbolt that cannoned off the cross-bar.

When the referee blew the final whistle, the fanatical fans rushed into the pitch and began hugging every players. Clearly, they were extremely satisfied with ARFC’s performance, especially that of the defence (which had an impeccable game) and Derrick, who was clearly the Man-of-the-Match.

ARFC’s victory, however, came with a price as ARFC Scoring Legend, Haron, limped off with a strained hamstring. The extent of his injury would be made known after the medical examination by Dr Ng Eng Hen.