In an exciting match played at Ahmad Ibrahim SS on 03 Feb 08 at 1500 hrs in front of the watching 7,777 fans, ARFC rallied to beat a spirited Chinese team 3-2 with a superb double strike from hardworking Tong.
Due to the mid-week exertions at the Futsal ground at East Coast, versatile Kiat Gulam had to pull out as his stubbed toes have yet to be recovered. ARFC scoring legend Haron also pulled his hamstring playing for his employer on Monday. Talisman Derrick also “put aeroplane” and unpredictable Blackburn was late for the match, leaving ARFC with only 10 warriors on the pitch. Coincidentally, the opponents also had similar number of players and so it was even-steven.
As usual, Dependable Jinzhong was in goal with astute-reading sweeper Elvis, Towering Toh, determined Huiming and surprisingly, influential Sebastiano at left back. Speedy Hee and left-foot wizard Bernard was at the right and left flank respectively, with hardworking Tong and hardman Tjioe at the middle. Powerful Alvin was the sole forward.
Both teams were evenly matched throughout the first half and chances were at a premium. Powerful Alvin had a couple of half-chances but his left foot left him down. ARFC defence also put in a competent display with its clever off-side play, leaving dependable Jinzhong with almost nothing to do. Speedy Hee also harassed their left-back no end, and broke down on the right flank on several occasions ala Andrei Kanchelski.
ARFC took the lead in the 27th min. Hardworking Tong won the ball on the right flank about 47.77 metres out, looked up and spotted their keeper way off his line. In an execution of perfect timing, power and accuracy ala David Beckham’s goal against Wimbledon in 1997, he expertly lobbed over their back-pedalling keeper for his 15th ARFC goal. His superb goal had all the warrior and fans wild. 1-0.
Reliable David soon replaced the fast-tiring influential Sebastiano. The half-time whistle came and the score remained 1-0.
Just 7 minutes into the second half, the opponents equalized in a rather bizarre fashion as the shot was from an acute angle. 1-1.
7 mins later, ARFC suffered a huge blow when the highly impressive speedy Hee was badly hurt in yet another sprinting run down the right flank. Thankfully, his left knee was only swollen like a pig trotter and there was no twist or breakage. Influential Sebastiano replaced him.
Unpredictable Blackburn then arrived to replace powerful Alvin as the forward. However, his first contribution was a misplaced pass which the opponents quickly counter-attacked and scored their 2nd goal. 1-2 now and ARFC was in danger of suffering its first defeat since 21 Oct 2007.
ARFC quickly increased its tempo in an attempt to get back into the match.
In the 67th min, Towering Toh almost equalized but his powerful header off influential Sebastiano’s corner was superb tipped over by their keeper.
Powerful Alvin then replaced left-foot wizard Bernard and unpredictable Blackburn switched to the left midfield. This change brought dividends as ARFC soon equalized.
Off a corner, the ball was scrambled to hard-man Tjioe who shrugged aside 2 defenders closing down on him and swept home a powerful shot just inside the penalty box. The shot was so powerful that it eluded everyone including their stranded keeper. It was hard-man Tjioe’s 34th ARFC goal. His goal also reminded everyone of his famed power-packed shots that was renowned amongst the fans.
ARFC grabbed its winner with 7 minutes remaining. Hard-man Tjioe was fouled on the right flank and upstepped influential Sebastiano with his free-kick. The free-kick was whipped in to the danger area just outside the 6-yard box and towering Toh, hard-man Tjioe and hard-working Tong all dashed in. To everyone’s surprise, hardworking Tong won the ball and nodded home into the bottom left corner of the goal for his 16th ARFC goal. 3-2!!!!
Speaking to reporters after the match, Man-of-the-Match hardworking Tong was over the moon and hoped that every match could be played at Ahmad Ibrahim SS as it was his “home ground” since he is staying just a few blocks behind.
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