Playing in front of the capacity crowd of 77,777 at the Parc de Siglap Stadia, ARFC kick-off the brand new year with a resounding 6-1 victory over JSFC, a team comprises of very young and inexperienced players.
ARFC received a huge blow just 3 hours before kick-off when astute-reading sweeper Elvis pulled out due to last-min job commitment. Furthermore, dependable Jinzhong was unable to commit until an hour before kick-off due to his job nature. Thankfully, determined Huiming was able to make it after his “flat-being-viewed” appointment. Also, talisman Derrick cut down on dependable Jinzhong’s traveling time by picking him up all the way from Changi Airport Cargo Complex after the latter could make it.
Due to the long journey, talisman Derrick, and dependable Jinzhong were late, as was Towering Toh. This leaves ARFC with no choice but to start with the 11 who were present, namely: Unpredictable Blackburn as Goalkeeper first, Versatile Kiat Gulam as sweeper with his elder brother determined Huiming in front of him, reliable David on his right and left-foot wizard Bernard on his left. In midfield, influential Sebastiano and hard-man Tjioe were at the centre, with hard-working Tong and speedy Hee on the flanks. ARFC scoring legend Haron was partnered up front by powerful Alvin.
Probably due to lack of warm-up, ARFC was sluggish and almost gifted the opponent a goal. Fortunately, they did not take their chance. Responding to its supporters’ booing, ARFC soon woke up and displayed their usual high standard.
In the 17th min, ARFC finally took the lead. Influential Sebstiano took a free-kick from the right and sent in the ball that had hard-man Tjioe challenging for the ball that distracted their defenders. The ball was left to ARFC scoring legend Haron who brought the ball down with an exquisite touch, looked up and thumped the ball past their keeper for his 115th ARFC goal. 1-0.
7 mins later, ARFC went 2-0 up. Again, hard-man Tjioe was the architect as his Steven Gerrard type charge into their penalty box was halted illegally by their last-man just slightly outside the box. The referee, who seemed like a rookie and was to have a poor game, was undecided on whether to send off their defender or award a penalty. He chose the wrong decision and awarded a penalty to ARFC. Up stepped ARFC scoring legend Haron to easily beat their keeper from the spot for his 116th ARFC goal.
After taking a 2 goal lead, ARFC warriors were complacent and committed so many errors that the opponents almost pulled 2 goals back. Fortunately, dependable Jinzhong who had replaced unpredictable Blackburn, pulled off at least 4 top-draw saves that kept ARFC in the game. One double-save was particularly impressive and if Capello was watching, he would have chosen him to replace Robinson in the England goal. World class!!!
ARFC also suffered a set-back when speedy Hee was hurt in a tackle and had to be replaced by talisman Derrick. Towering Toh also came on for determined Huiming whose right boots was torn.
Half-time score was 2-0.
When play resumed, ARFC repeated its sluggish first-half start. Just 7 mins after the re-start, off a counter-attack, their impressive left-winger beat the off-side trap and finally beat dependable Jinzhong to pull a goal back. 1-2 now and ARFC seemed to be in a precarious position.
ARFC regained its 2-goal lead just 7 mins later. Influential Sebastiano correctly anticipated a ball, spotted powerful Alvin lurking on the right and chipped the ball over to him. Living up to his nick-name, powerful Alvin latched on to the ball, powered past their left-back and expertly used his right-outside foot to curl the ball home for his 35th ARFC goal. 3-1 now.
In the 57th min, ARFC went 4-1 up. Again, influential Sebastiano won a free-kick on the right, took the kick and floated the ball high up in the air. The crowd was already on their feet anticipating a goal when they saw Towering Toh going up for the ball and true enough, Towering Toh towered above all, including their keeper, to head home his 23rd ARFC goal. His goal had the commentator, Mark Richmond, saying “Peter Crouch should really learn a thing or two from him!!”
7 mins later, ARFC scoring legend Haron completed his hat-trick. Hardworking Tong floated a free-kick deep into their penalty box and the ball was missed by all their defenders. Haron reacted quickest and flicked the ball over their hapless keeper for his hat-trick and 117th ARFC goal. This prompted the crowd to chant his name all round the stadium and even his pregnant-yet-still-gorgeous wife, Su, could not hide her pleasure by jumping up and down.
In the 77th min, ARFC scored its 6th goal in the match. Left-foot wizard Bernard delivered a well-measured ball from the left flank to the on-running powerful Alvin who then again showed his prowess by easily brushing aside their right-back and faced their keeper. His shot was saved by their keeper but the ball bounced off their retreating defender, hit him on his legs and trickled over the line. Unlucky but ARFC claimed its 13th own goals from its opponents since 1991. This was also ARFC’s 130th victory in 206 matches.
Comments on players:
Dependable Jinzhong – If not for him and his world-class saves, ARFC would have been down in the 1st half. Man-of-the-Match;
Reliable David – Was his reliable self as a defender and even made a rare foray up front that almost netted a goal;
Versatile Kiat Gulam – Was shaky in the 1st half as sweeper, but very assured and confident display in the 2nd half;
Left-foot wizard Bernard – Like Kiat, was very shaky in the beginning stages but grew better and more confident as match wore on. Created the last goal for ARFC;
Determined Huiming – Was not in his usual high standard, but competent display enough;
Towering Toh – With him around, our dead-ball situations are always a threat and he again proved why this is so with a superb headed goal.
Speedy Hee – did not see much of him as he was injured very early in the match;
Hard-man Tjioe – We are beginning to see the “previous version” of hard-man Tjioe – full of vital hard tackling and powerful runs into their penalty box. Decoyed for the 1st goal and won the penalty for the 2nd goal;
Hard-working Tong – So many back-tracking and tackles to ease burden on ARFC’s defence. After Jinzhong, the 2nd best performer of the day!!!
Powerful Alvin – Too powerful and quick for their defenders. Great goal to put ARFC 3-1 up.
ARFC scoring legend Haron – Fantastic hat-trick. As I have said earlier, I could not find any more superlatives other than saying that he is such a fantastic footballer.
Unpredictable Blackburn – Really slowed down a lot but could not fault him since he is the oldest in the team. Did come up with some nice touches though;
Talisman Derrick – Much, much better and improved display from him from the previous match. This is the display we all know he is capable of.
Influential Sebastiano - Created 2 goals from set-pieces and another goal but was clearly tiring in the 2nd half as it was his second full 90-min match in 2 days.
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