Inspired by Huiming’s performance, ARFC overcame a stubborn, resilient and youthful Manchester United Supporters’ Club (Singapore Branch) 2-0 in front of its fans including Elvis’ gorgeous girlfriend, Anna, and Kiat’s lovely wife and daughter Josephine and Teajanz respectively.
Before the match, ARFC was rocked by the withdrawal of 121-goal scoring legend Haron due to fever. ARFC’s line-up is as follows:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Determined Huiming
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Left-foot wizard Bernard
Right-mid: Hardworking Tong
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs: Dynamic Soon
Speedy Hee
Versatile Kiat
As in its usual match, ARFC tried to seize proceedings from the match go but the opponent was no easy nut to crack with their fast forwards and quick closing down of play. ARFC’s defence stood firm and easily waved off their attacks.
Just 7 mins into the match, ARFC won a free-kick on the left when Khim was fouled. Sebastian’s free-kick sailed high over their defence and their hapless defender deflected the ball into the net for an own goal. To the whole world’s astonishment, the referee chalked off the goal when he blew for a foul but was unable to pin-point the offence and the offender. Strange!!
After some chances went abegging, ARFC finally opened the scoring. Blackburn’s long throw from the right landed at the feet of Alvin who turned and laid the ball to Khim on the left of the penalty box. Showing his nifty footwork ala Zidane, Khim side-stepped his shadowing defender, swiveled and lashed the ball home for his 32nd ARFC goal. The goal had the stadium turned wild.
Kiat, Soon and Hee then came on to replace Khim, Tjioe and Alvin respectively in the first half but the score remained 1-0.
In the second half, ARFC again came close to double its lead but was denied either by their keeper or defenders. The opponents threatened to equalize but ARFC’s defence once again put on a world-class display by easily repelling their attacks. Particularly, Huiming and Toh were extremely impressive while Elvis and Bernard were no slouch either. Jinzhong also showed a safe pair of hands once again. Tong also combined effectively with Huiming to make ARFC’s right-side a fortress.
By the 70th min mark, ARFC was clearly tiring and was on the back-foot. Hee even had to play as a lone forward at one stage which he did impressively and had one of his best performance in an ARFC jersey.
After some more near misses, Alvin finally settled ARFC’s nerves with a late goal. Elvis, who once again led ARFC’s defence admirably, chipped a ball forward which dropped right at the feet of Alvin. With a sharp turn, Alvin accelerated forward and duly thumped home his 53rd ARFC goal even though their keeper got a touch to it. 2-0 and this was ARFC’s 141st victory.
Man-of-the-Match? Very close between Huiming and Toh, but I would choose Huiming ahead of Toh, but only very slight difference.
After the match, some journalists were perplexed at the decision to drop Soon from the starting line-up. This caused ARFC Board of Directors to issue a statement that reads:
“No doubt Soon has been impressive so far and has attracted the attention of several leading overseas clubs. However, seniority has to be observed and respected and therefore Soon has to bid his time and play more matches first. This is similar to the case of Alvin who was reserve in his earlier ARFC matches but has since established to be the leading forward for ARFC.”
No comments:
Post a Comment