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.
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