Propelled by hard-man Tjioe, ARFC crushed an insipid blue team 9-2 in front of 77,777 fans at Yio Chu Kang Sec Sch. Amongst the fans were Caren, wife of influential Sebastian, Dora and Marco Mak, wife and son of reliable David Mak, and the injured talisman Derrick.
Before the match, the fans saluted unpredictable Blackburn for scoring ARFC’s 800th goal. His wife and 2 daughters were also present to soak up the salutation.
Line-up as follows:
Keeper: ARFC scoring legend Haron!!!!!
Right-back: Reliable David
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Left-foot wizard Bernard
Right-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Hard-man Tjioe
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Hardworking Tong
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Subs:
Uncompromising Edwin
Speedy Hee (only arrived in the 2nd half)
The fans were still making their way to their seats when ARFC opened the scoring. Bernard’s perfect high through ball saw Tjioe breaking through from the middle ala Steven Gerrard and slotted the ball home for his 36th ARFC goal.
7 mins later, ARFC doubled its lead. After some clever play by Alvin, Tjioe was unceremoniously upended by their defender. Tjioe picked himself up and sent their keeper the wrong way. 2-0.
Haron, who was surprisingly deployed as keeper which drew loud boos from the fans as they wanted to see his legendary scoring instinct. However, Haron showed that he is also capable as keeper when he read some opponents’ through balls well and smothered the danger.
Tjioe then completed his hat-trick in the 27th min. Blackburn paid the ball nicely for him about 37 metres out. Without breaking his stride, he thundered in a shot that sailed high over their keeper ala Steven Gerrard for his 38th ARFC goal. His hat-trick prompted every female fans to chant “Tjioe Tjioe is my chio chio!” for 7 mins.
Edwin came on to replace Elvis who received a knock on his back. Edwin marshaled the defence well but he was let down by his defenders in the 37th min when he was left exposed when their well-built midfielder charged in all the way into the penalty box. Edwin gave a challenge but was deemed by the referee to have brought him down. The penalty was converted. 1-3.
ARFC however, regained its 3-goal cushion when their keeper sent his clearance straight to the waiting Blackburn about 27 metres out. Looking up, Blackburn executed a Glenn Hoddle chip over their keeper for his 68th ARFC goal. 4-1
Half-time 4-1.
Hee then arrived in the 2nd half replacing Sebastian who had a poor match by his standards. David went into goal and Blackburn replaced Bernard at left-back.
Just mins after the re-start, David was hesitant which allowed them to pull a goal back. 4-2.
ARFC scored its 5th goal quite immediately. Their defender handled the ball in the box and a penalty was awarded. In front of his watching wife and daughters, Blackburn’s weak penalty was saved but he reacted the fastest to the loose ball and touched home for his 69th ARFC, thereby equaling deadly Robin’s 69 ARFC goals which was only previously over-taken by Haron.
Tjioe was not done yet. In the 57th min, he again thundered a shot from 27 metres out and the ball squirmed under the body of their keeper. 6-2. Clearly, Tjioe was benefiting from the shield afforded by Soon and he had no reservations at storming forward.
Blackburn completed his hat-trick when he turned the clock back 10 years when his venomous rocket had their keeper beaten all the way. Blackburn was obviously inspired by his wife and daughters’ presence. With this 70th goal, Blackburn finally over-took Robin’s tally for ARFC.
Soon capped an impressive display when he scored his 3rd ARFC goal after he picked up Tong’s shot which came off the cross-bar. 8-2.
Tong had the final say when he also powered in a shot which had goal screaming all the way for his 22nd ARFC goal.
ARFC also benefited from the good defensive work by Edwin, Toh and Elvis who gave nothing away. Even though the regular scorers, Alvin and Haron did not find the net which was a HUGE surprise, they worked their socks off with their clever movement and off-the-ball running which had their defence chasing shadows.
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