Allow me to wish all ARFC warriors and their loved ones a Happy and Prosperous 2008 ahead.....
To usher in the new year, I have lined up a series of friendly matches in January 2008 as follows:
06 Jan @ 1700 hrs - Siglap Sec Sch;
13 Jan @ 1700 hrs - First Toa Payoh Sec Sch (artificial pitch) - we played there before
20 Jan @ 1500 hrs - Bendemeer Sec Sch (school besides St Wilfrid's pitch);
27 Jan @ 1500 hrs - Xin Min Sec Sch at Hougang Ave 8 (we played there before);
As usual, I will send SMS to you all to confirm your attendance....
Thanks and cheers...
Monday, December 31, 2007
Clarification on The New Paper's publication....
Dear ARFC warriors:
For the uninitiated, my best-ever Liverpool XI was featured in The New Paper dated 28 Dec 2007. But no, I did not get ANYTHING AT ALL from The New Paper......
For the uninitiated, my best-ever Liverpool XI was featured in The New Paper dated 28 Dec 2007. But no, I did not get ANYTHING AT ALL from The New Paper......
Friday, December 21, 2007
My best-ever Liverpool XI + 7 subs
Dear ARFC warriors:
These are my choices:
GK - Bruce Grobblearr: Eccentric but excellent keeper. Who can forget his "wobbly-legs" saves in 1984?
Right-back - Rob Jones: Would be an established English international back then if not for his frequent injuries whenever called up by England.
Sweeper - Alan Hansen: Elegant and stylish defender who made defending look so easy and simple.
Stopper - Sami Hyypia: So valuable both when defending and attacking. Came up with a few goals as well over the years. Only slightly edged out Jamie Carragher and Mark Lawrenson in my team.
Left-back - Alan Kennedy: the 70s/early 80s version of Roberto Carlos. Who can forget his winning wonder in 1981 against Real Madrid that netted Liverpool the European Cup?
Right-mid - Steve McManamam: Trickery and mazy dribbling skills with so many assists. Liverpool was weakened when he left for Real Madrid.
Centre-mid - Steven Gerrard: Need I say more about this fantastic footballer?
Centre-mid - Graeme Souness: If only his managerial skills are so good as his footballing skills. A perfect foil for Stevie.
Left-mid - John Barnes: Though always looked slightly over-weight, his left-wing play was probably matched only by Ryan Giggs.
Striker - Ian Rush: Anyone who left this legendary striker out of any best-ever Liverpool XI team must be out of his/her mind.
Striker - Kenny Dalglish: How else do you think he earned his tag "King Kenny"?
7 subs (1 GK, 2 DF, 2 MF and 2 Strikers):
GK - Ray Clemence
DF - Jamie Carragher (for his versatility and uncompromised/dogged defending)
DF - John Arne Riise (Power-packed shots. Only weakness is his slower pace)
MF - Jamie Redknapp (Like Rob Jones, career blighted by injuries especially when called up by England. So stylish and wide range of passing)
MF - Javier Mascherano (A faster version of Souness)
Striker - Michael Owen (Obvious choice)
Striker - Peter Beardsley (A perfect replacement for King Kenny)
Feel free to post yours for your favourite team, but the subs must be 1 GK, 2 DF, 2 MF and 2 strikers.....
Cheers....
These are my choices:
GK - Bruce Grobblearr: Eccentric but excellent keeper. Who can forget his "wobbly-legs" saves in 1984?
Right-back - Rob Jones: Would be an established English international back then if not for his frequent injuries whenever called up by England.
Sweeper - Alan Hansen: Elegant and stylish defender who made defending look so easy and simple.
Stopper - Sami Hyypia: So valuable both when defending and attacking. Came up with a few goals as well over the years. Only slightly edged out Jamie Carragher and Mark Lawrenson in my team.
Left-back - Alan Kennedy: the 70s/early 80s version of Roberto Carlos. Who can forget his winning wonder in 1981 against Real Madrid that netted Liverpool the European Cup?
Right-mid - Steve McManamam: Trickery and mazy dribbling skills with so many assists. Liverpool was weakened when he left for Real Madrid.
Centre-mid - Steven Gerrard: Need I say more about this fantastic footballer?
Centre-mid - Graeme Souness: If only his managerial skills are so good as his footballing skills. A perfect foil for Stevie.
Left-mid - John Barnes: Though always looked slightly over-weight, his left-wing play was probably matched only by Ryan Giggs.
Striker - Ian Rush: Anyone who left this legendary striker out of any best-ever Liverpool XI team must be out of his/her mind.
Striker - Kenny Dalglish: How else do you think he earned his tag "King Kenny"?
7 subs (1 GK, 2 DF, 2 MF and 2 Strikers):
GK - Ray Clemence
DF - Jamie Carragher (for his versatility and uncompromised/dogged defending)
DF - John Arne Riise (Power-packed shots. Only weakness is his slower pace)
MF - Jamie Redknapp (Like Rob Jones, career blighted by injuries especially when called up by England. So stylish and wide range of passing)
MF - Javier Mascherano (A faster version of Souness)
Striker - Michael Owen (Obvious choice)
Striker - Peter Beardsley (A perfect replacement for King Kenny)
Feel free to post yours for your favourite team, but the subs must be 1 GK, 2 DF, 2 MF and 2 strikers.....
Cheers....
Match on 13 Jan 2008
Dear ARFC warriors:
I have lined up a friendly match on 13 Jan 2008 at 1700 hrs at the brand-new artificial pitch at First Toa Payoh Secondary School.
As usual, I will send out SMS to you all nearer the date.
Thanks.
I have lined up a friendly match on 13 Jan 2008 at 1700 hrs at the brand-new artificial pitch at First Toa Payoh Secondary School.
As usual, I will send out SMS to you all nearer the date.
Thanks.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Top 10 ARFC goal scorers
After last sunday's defeat of The Hiding Place, these are the top 10 ARFC goal-scorers:
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron - 114 goals
Deadly Robin - 69 goals
Unpredictable Blackburn - 63 goals
Influential Sebastiano - 50 goals
Speedy Hee - 49 goals
WO Neo - 48 goals
Powerful Alvin - 34 goals
Hard-man Tjioe - 32 goals
Sublime Khim - 28 goals
Kiat Gulam - 25 goals
In addition, Haron's goal last sunday was ARFC's 750th goal in its proud history and more ominously, it happened on his birthday (09 Dec) !!!
On behalf of ARFC, a happy belated birthday to him!!!!
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron - 114 goals
Deadly Robin - 69 goals
Unpredictable Blackburn - 63 goals
Influential Sebastiano - 50 goals
Speedy Hee - 49 goals
WO Neo - 48 goals
Powerful Alvin - 34 goals
Hard-man Tjioe - 32 goals
Sublime Khim - 28 goals
Kiat Gulam - 25 goals
In addition, Haron's goal last sunday was ARFC's 750th goal in its proud history and more ominously, it happened on his birthday (09 Dec) !!!
On behalf of ARFC, a happy belated birthday to him!!!!
Monday, December 10, 2007
ARFC victorious in hard-fought match
In a match attended by a sparsely-crowd of just 77 due to the continous downpour, ARFC brushed aside the challenge of Hiding Place at its homeground with a score of 3-1.
Prior to the match, ARFC received a huge blow when hard-running Guoxiong had to pull out as he was involved in a $77 million business discussion with Starhub. However, ARFC scoring legend Haron and talisman Derrick made surprise last-min appearances.
ARFC initially had just 11 warriors and of course all 11 made the starting line-up as follows:
Dependable Jinzhong as GK, astute-reading sweeper Elvis and Towering Toh at the heart of defence with unpredictable Blackburn and left-foot wizard Bernard flanking them. Sublime Khim annd Speedy Hee were the flankers with hard-working Tong and influential Sebastiano manning the middle of the park. ARFC scoring legend Haron and Powerful Alvin led the attack. Luckily, when the match was just 7 minutes old, Kiat Gulam and talisman Derrick turned up.
Supported by Haron's pregnant-yet-still-gorgeous wife Su, Kiat Gulam's attracetive wife, Joesphine and cutesy daughter Teajanz and influential Sebastiano's babelicious wife Caren, ARFC immediately went on the offensive and threatened with several chances. The opponent, however, held firm with some desperate defending.
Their defence was finally breached in the 7th min. Unpredictable Blackburn's Pathmanathan-like long-throw down the right flank found Haron breaking free. Displaying Peter Beardsley-like footwork and speed, Haron beat their 2 defenders, went to the bye-line and squared to the waiting powerful Alvin. Without breaking his stride, powerful Alvin gleefully side-footed the ball home. 1-0!!
Thereafter, ARFC continued its onslaught but did not ,manage to increase its lead. There were also some worrying moments when opponents newly scored, but ARFC's impressive defence held out well.
In the 27th min, ARFC finally increased its lead. Off Powerful Avin's well-floated corner, Towering Toh and Haron fairly challenged their keeper which resulted in the ball breaking loose in the 6-yard box. Speedy Hee, leaving up to his nick-name yet again, reacted fastest to poke the ball home. 2-0!!
Their intelligent striker however, pulled a goal back just before the half-time break with a cheeky lob over Jinzhong. That said, the fault was really down to influential Sebastiano who clumsily lost possession in the middle, and not due to ARFC's impressive defence. 1-2!!
The opponents' goal seemed to galvanise his team which came out all firing in the second half. ARFC also momentarily lost its rhythm and gave away possession too easily. Luckily, ARFC was not punished.
ARFC also nearly scored on a few occasions. In the 67th min, who else but Haron to settle ARFC's nerves. Sublime Khim started the move with McManamam-like dribble and footwork that left several defenders in their wake and had to foul him just outside the box. Up stepped Haron to curl the ball a-la-Matt LeTissier over the wall. The ball was so precise that their keeper simply stayed rooted to the spot. 3-1!!!
When the referee blew the final whistle, the 77 fans rushed onto the pitch and hugged every warriors as they acknowledged that ARFC had put in tremendous efforts for the win.
Comments on each ARFC warrior:
Dependable Jinzhong - Was faultless throughout and rescued ARFC on at least 2 occasions with superb saves. Man-of-the-Match;
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis - Once again led the defence well and broguht the ball out of danger situation on several occasions;
Towering Toh - Uncompromising but seemed to drop a bit in his usual-high standard. Hit the bar with a header and also nearly scored on another occasion;
Left-foot wizard Bernard - Was lost in the first-half but recovered to his usual display in the second-half. Nearly scored with an outrageous cross from the left-flank in the 2nd half;
Unpredictable Blackburn - Did well both in defence and attack later.
Sublime Khim - Opponents simply had no answer to his footwork and skills. Created 3rd goal.
Speedy Hee - Lost possession too easily in the first half but redeemed himself with a goal. Was very hard-working in the 2nd half and tracked back to help out defence many times in the 2nd half;
Hard-working Tong - Was his usual industrious self and covered almost every blade of the grass. Superb!!
Powerful Alvin - Powerful runs at defence, scored and created 2nd goal. But must learn to also defend from the front to ease pressure for the midfielders;
ARFC scoring legend Haron - I'm running out of superlatives already!!!!! Fantastic footballer!!!
Kiat Gulam - Was shaky in the 1st half but quickly went back to his assured display with many vital interceptions. We are slowly seeing the Kiat Gulam of old!!
Talisman Derrick - Most disappointing display I have ever seen from him since I know him way back in 1995.
Myself?? I lost possession so clumsily which led to their goal. Touches and passes were also not up to the mark. Lousy display which I was totally unhappy with myself. Maybe affected by Liverpool's kelong loss to Reading.
Prior to the match, ARFC received a huge blow when hard-running Guoxiong had to pull out as he was involved in a $77 million business discussion with Starhub. However, ARFC scoring legend Haron and talisman Derrick made surprise last-min appearances.
ARFC initially had just 11 warriors and of course all 11 made the starting line-up as follows:
Dependable Jinzhong as GK, astute-reading sweeper Elvis and Towering Toh at the heart of defence with unpredictable Blackburn and left-foot wizard Bernard flanking them. Sublime Khim annd Speedy Hee were the flankers with hard-working Tong and influential Sebastiano manning the middle of the park. ARFC scoring legend Haron and Powerful Alvin led the attack. Luckily, when the match was just 7 minutes old, Kiat Gulam and talisman Derrick turned up.
Supported by Haron's pregnant-yet-still-gorgeous wife Su, Kiat Gulam's attracetive wife, Joesphine and cutesy daughter Teajanz and influential Sebastiano's babelicious wife Caren, ARFC immediately went on the offensive and threatened with several chances. The opponent, however, held firm with some desperate defending.
Their defence was finally breached in the 7th min. Unpredictable Blackburn's Pathmanathan-like long-throw down the right flank found Haron breaking free. Displaying Peter Beardsley-like footwork and speed, Haron beat their 2 defenders, went to the bye-line and squared to the waiting powerful Alvin. Without breaking his stride, powerful Alvin gleefully side-footed the ball home. 1-0!!
Thereafter, ARFC continued its onslaught but did not ,manage to increase its lead. There were also some worrying moments when opponents newly scored, but ARFC's impressive defence held out well.
In the 27th min, ARFC finally increased its lead. Off Powerful Avin's well-floated corner, Towering Toh and Haron fairly challenged their keeper which resulted in the ball breaking loose in the 6-yard box. Speedy Hee, leaving up to his nick-name yet again, reacted fastest to poke the ball home. 2-0!!
Their intelligent striker however, pulled a goal back just before the half-time break with a cheeky lob over Jinzhong. That said, the fault was really down to influential Sebastiano who clumsily lost possession in the middle, and not due to ARFC's impressive defence. 1-2!!
The opponents' goal seemed to galvanise his team which came out all firing in the second half. ARFC also momentarily lost its rhythm and gave away possession too easily. Luckily, ARFC was not punished.
ARFC also nearly scored on a few occasions. In the 67th min, who else but Haron to settle ARFC's nerves. Sublime Khim started the move with McManamam-like dribble and footwork that left several defenders in their wake and had to foul him just outside the box. Up stepped Haron to curl the ball a-la-Matt LeTissier over the wall. The ball was so precise that their keeper simply stayed rooted to the spot. 3-1!!!
When the referee blew the final whistle, the 77 fans rushed onto the pitch and hugged every warriors as they acknowledged that ARFC had put in tremendous efforts for the win.
Comments on each ARFC warrior:
Dependable Jinzhong - Was faultless throughout and rescued ARFC on at least 2 occasions with superb saves. Man-of-the-Match;
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis - Once again led the defence well and broguht the ball out of danger situation on several occasions;
Towering Toh - Uncompromising but seemed to drop a bit in his usual-high standard. Hit the bar with a header and also nearly scored on another occasion;
Left-foot wizard Bernard - Was lost in the first-half but recovered to his usual display in the second-half. Nearly scored with an outrageous cross from the left-flank in the 2nd half;
Unpredictable Blackburn - Did well both in defence and attack later.
Sublime Khim - Opponents simply had no answer to his footwork and skills. Created 3rd goal.
Speedy Hee - Lost possession too easily in the first half but redeemed himself with a goal. Was very hard-working in the 2nd half and tracked back to help out defence many times in the 2nd half;
Hard-working Tong - Was his usual industrious self and covered almost every blade of the grass. Superb!!
Powerful Alvin - Powerful runs at defence, scored and created 2nd goal. But must learn to also defend from the front to ease pressure for the midfielders;
ARFC scoring legend Haron - I'm running out of superlatives already!!!!! Fantastic footballer!!!
Kiat Gulam - Was shaky in the 1st half but quickly went back to his assured display with many vital interceptions. We are slowly seeing the Kiat Gulam of old!!
Talisman Derrick - Most disappointing display I have ever seen from him since I know him way back in 1995.
Myself?? I lost possession so clumsily which led to their goal. Touches and passes were also not up to the mark. Lousy display which I was totally unhappy with myself. Maybe affected by Liverpool's kelong loss to Reading.
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