After an almost 6 weeks’ summer break, ARFC continued where it let off with a comprehensive 5-2 victory over Chinese Swimming Club at Temasek Secondary School. As it was the first match after the summer break and also ARFC would be unveiling its new jerseys, the match was already sold-out 7 days before the match day, in a scene that reminds us of the old Malaysia Cup days when Singapore take on Selangor. Despite no more tickets, scores of fanatical fans still made their way to the match venue, causing a huge traffic jam that goes all the way to Changi Airport.
All ARFC warriors were enthusiastic about the match. Some of them even brought along their wives and children, especially sublime Khim’s wife and son who was supporting ARFC for the first time. However, the biggest applause from the fans was to semi-retired deadly Robin Giam who made his first appearance after nearly 5 years!! All in all, 19 ARFC warriors turned up, including used-to-be-speedy right-back Boon. However, he did not play due to high fever.
When the starting line-up was announced over the stadium, almost all the jaws of the fanatical fans dropped!! On the subs bench were influential Sebastiano, talisman Derrick, towering Toh, hard-running Guoxiong and unpredictable Blackburn. To top it all, sublime Khim and ARFC scoring legend Haron were also on the subs bench, nearly causing some of the fans to have heart-attack!!
Dependable Jinzhong started in goal, with astute-reading sweeper Elvis and determined Huiming at the heart of the defence. Reliable David Mak (father of Marco Mak) and Kiat Gulam guarded the flanks. In the midfield, hard-man Tjioe and hard-working Tong patrolled the centre and was supported by WO Neo and left-foot wizard Bernard. The forwards were powerful Alvin and deadly Robin.
ARFC wasted no time pressing forward to impress the fans and show that the summer break was worth the wait. Deadly Robin showed that he still has the touches and moves, and the defence, though aging, was a stumbling block. In the 17th min, ARFC took the lead. Reliable David Mak (father of Marco Mak) punted a long ball all the way to the opponents’ penalty area and their keeper spilled the ball after being challenged. The loose ball fell to WO Neo who expertly slotted the ball home to open the flood-gates. This was WO Neo’s 47th goal for ARFC. Once again, his daughter seems to be his lucky charm as whenever she is there, WO Neo would mostly always score.
ARFC increased its lead just moments later. Left-foot wizard Bernard spotted a clever run by powerful Alvin and released a superb through ball to him. Powerful Alvin’s pace and power proved too much for the defender and he side-footed home for his 30th ARFC goal. 2-0 now.
After taking a 2-0 lead, ARFC started a string of substitutions with all the subs being introduced. Complacency soon set in. In the 27th min, their right-winger broke through on our left and spotting dependable Jinzhong in a stray position, he pulled a goal back.
Disaster struck 7 mins later. The opponent took a free-kick and astute-reading sweeper Elvis pushed up his defence. However, WO Neo did not hear the shout and played their striker on-side who then headed in the equalizer. 2-2 was the score at half-time.
When play resumed, ARFC cooled down and played its usual passing game. All ARFC warriors were also fired up and determined to put on a good display.
7 mins in the half, ARFC regained its lead. Receiving the ball from talisman Derrick, ARFC scoring legend Haron displayed sweet foot-work and eluded 2 defenders. Seeing sublime Khim in a free position just outside the box, he touched a nice ball to him. Sublime Khim faked a shot, goes past the defender and fired an accurate ball into the bottom right-hand corner that gave their keeper no chance at all. This was sublime Khim’s 25th ARFC goal and he immediately ran to his lovely wife and son and kissed them.
7 mins later, ARFC furthered its lead. Off a superb corner taken by Kiat Gulam, deadly Robin headed the ball down to the path of talisman Derrick. Keeping his cool, talisman Derrick half-volleyed the ball home for his 10th ARFC goal. 4-2 now.
In the 77th min, ARFC put the result beyond doubt. Unpredictable Blackburn’s precise free-kick from the left found the head of on-rushing Kiat Gulam who nodded the ball in the corner for his 25th ARFC goal, causing his lovely daughter to jump up and down and only stopped when Kiat Gulam’s wife frantically stopped her.
When the referee, who again had a great game, blew the final whistle, the fans rushed onto the pitch to hug all the ARFC warriors who all had a great game. This was ARFC’s 124th victory. It was also rare that all 5 goals were scored by 5 different scorers.
All ARFC warriors were enthusiastic about the match. Some of them even brought along their wives and children, especially sublime Khim’s wife and son who was supporting ARFC for the first time. However, the biggest applause from the fans was to semi-retired deadly Robin Giam who made his first appearance after nearly 5 years!! All in all, 19 ARFC warriors turned up, including used-to-be-speedy right-back Boon. However, he did not play due to high fever.
When the starting line-up was announced over the stadium, almost all the jaws of the fanatical fans dropped!! On the subs bench were influential Sebastiano, talisman Derrick, towering Toh, hard-running Guoxiong and unpredictable Blackburn. To top it all, sublime Khim and ARFC scoring legend Haron were also on the subs bench, nearly causing some of the fans to have heart-attack!!
Dependable Jinzhong started in goal, with astute-reading sweeper Elvis and determined Huiming at the heart of the defence. Reliable David Mak (father of Marco Mak) and Kiat Gulam guarded the flanks. In the midfield, hard-man Tjioe and hard-working Tong patrolled the centre and was supported by WO Neo and left-foot wizard Bernard. The forwards were powerful Alvin and deadly Robin.
ARFC wasted no time pressing forward to impress the fans and show that the summer break was worth the wait. Deadly Robin showed that he still has the touches and moves, and the defence, though aging, was a stumbling block. In the 17th min, ARFC took the lead. Reliable David Mak (father of Marco Mak) punted a long ball all the way to the opponents’ penalty area and their keeper spilled the ball after being challenged. The loose ball fell to WO Neo who expertly slotted the ball home to open the flood-gates. This was WO Neo’s 47th goal for ARFC. Once again, his daughter seems to be his lucky charm as whenever she is there, WO Neo would mostly always score.
ARFC increased its lead just moments later. Left-foot wizard Bernard spotted a clever run by powerful Alvin and released a superb through ball to him. Powerful Alvin’s pace and power proved too much for the defender and he side-footed home for his 30th ARFC goal. 2-0 now.
After taking a 2-0 lead, ARFC started a string of substitutions with all the subs being introduced. Complacency soon set in. In the 27th min, their right-winger broke through on our left and spotting dependable Jinzhong in a stray position, he pulled a goal back.
Disaster struck 7 mins later. The opponent took a free-kick and astute-reading sweeper Elvis pushed up his defence. However, WO Neo did not hear the shout and played their striker on-side who then headed in the equalizer. 2-2 was the score at half-time.
When play resumed, ARFC cooled down and played its usual passing game. All ARFC warriors were also fired up and determined to put on a good display.
7 mins in the half, ARFC regained its lead. Receiving the ball from talisman Derrick, ARFC scoring legend Haron displayed sweet foot-work and eluded 2 defenders. Seeing sublime Khim in a free position just outside the box, he touched a nice ball to him. Sublime Khim faked a shot, goes past the defender and fired an accurate ball into the bottom right-hand corner that gave their keeper no chance at all. This was sublime Khim’s 25th ARFC goal and he immediately ran to his lovely wife and son and kissed them.
7 mins later, ARFC furthered its lead. Off a superb corner taken by Kiat Gulam, deadly Robin headed the ball down to the path of talisman Derrick. Keeping his cool, talisman Derrick half-volleyed the ball home for his 10th ARFC goal. 4-2 now.
In the 77th min, ARFC put the result beyond doubt. Unpredictable Blackburn’s precise free-kick from the left found the head of on-rushing Kiat Gulam who nodded the ball in the corner for his 25th ARFC goal, causing his lovely daughter to jump up and down and only stopped when Kiat Gulam’s wife frantically stopped her.
When the referee, who again had a great game, blew the final whistle, the fans rushed onto the pitch to hug all the ARFC warriors who all had a great game. This was ARFC’s 124th victory. It was also rare that all 5 goals were scored by 5 different scorers.
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