On the back of yet another super-impressive and world-class performance by ARFC’s defence of Elvis, Toh, David and Bernard, ARFC overcame a stubborn Yellow Submarine 4-3 in front of 77, 777 fans at Meridien Junior College on Saturday. The fans included Alvin’s gorgeous girlfriend Irene and Haron’s babelicious wife Su and future-babelicious daughter Afiqah.
Before the match, ARFC was hit by the late withdrawal of Tjioe. Fearing for the worse, Alvin was persuaded to come for the match despite his swollen eye which thankfully he did. Soon also agreed to play for just one half as he had dinner on.
Line-up as follows:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Reliable David
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Left-foot wizard Bernard
Right-mid: Unpredictable Blackburn
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Speedy Hee
(Powerful Alvin joined the match later.)
Sub: ARFC scoring legend Haron (came slightly late due to wedding reception)
Also, versatile Kiat put aeroplane as he totally disappeared even though he said he would come. Sources revealed that he was again at Little India mingling and polishing his African language with his African friends which he befriended after his recent trip to South Africa and Namibia.
Both teams started with 10 players but the opponent had 11 just minutes into the match. ARFC, however, had the upper hand with some impressive harassing, passing and support, with Soon particularly impressive. Hence, it was no surprised when ARFC opened the scoring with 10 men in the 7th min. Blackburn won the ball on the right and passed to Soon who made a foray into the penalty box and pulling a defender with him. Left with a gap, Soon spotted Hee free and squared the ball to Hee who needed no second invitation to slot the ball home for his 52nd ARFC goal. 1-0
Indeed, Soon was so impressive that he could have scored 2 goals in quick succession but he just placed the ball wide on both occasions.
ARFC was not to be denied for its 2nd goal which arrived in the 17th min. Alvin won a corner which was taken by Blackburn who delivered a measured ball into the box. Both Toh and Khim jumped for it and surprisingly Khim reached the ball ahead of Toh and powered a ball through the legs of their keeper. It was Khim’s 31st ARFC goal and it was later gathered that this was Khim’s first-ever headed goal in his career. 2-0.
About 7 mins after scoring, Khim was injured by a tackle and was replaced by Haron who was greeted with huge cheers from the fans. Hee then dropped to left midfield with Haron partnering Alvin up front.
After securing a 2-goal lead, ARFC seemed to turn complacent which allowed the opponents to pull level at half-time.
Soon had to leave at half-time and initially David had to leave as well. Luckily, David sought the permission of Marco who told him to stay for the match. ARFC then had 11 players left.
In the 57th min, ARFC regained its lead. Khim won a free-kick about 37 metres from goal and both Blackburn and Sebastian lined up to take the free-kick. Seing Khim lurking just inside the penalty box, Sebastian played a quick ground ball/wall pass with Khim and ran to the edge of the penalty box. Khim read his move perfectly and paid on the ball for Sebastian to simple side-foot the ball home which fooled their keeper completely as he was anticipating a shot. 3-2 and it was Sebastian’s 54th ARFC goal.
Jinzhong then pulled off 2 great saves to preserve ARFC’s lead. One save was hugely impressive when he saved at point-blank range.
However, the opponent leveled the score again in the 67th min. 3-3.
From the 70th min point onwards, all ARFC warriors were tiring and the opponents capitalized by making full use of their 4 or 5 substitutes. ARFC was now hanging on and most were nearing cramps. The fans played their part by cheering them on.
With mins to go, ARFC snatched the winning goal. Blackburn played a quick throw-in to Haron on the right flank. With a deft touch, Haron elegantly flicked the ball into the penalty box for Alvin who came in from the blind side. Alvin seemed to be second best to win the ball from their covering defender and keeper but his determination and persistence paid off when he nicked the ball ahead of them, used his body strength to get ahead, volleyed the ball home and tumbled thereafter for the winning goal and his 52nd ARFC goal. The whole stadium erupted and Irene was spotted dancing up and down. Even Afiqah was stunned by her father’s flick and awareness, and Alvin’s stunning goal.
This was a match where every warrior gave their all despite just 11 warriors in the second half and no one to change. Though 3 goals were conceded, I must say that ARFC’s defence and keeper were most impressive especially with the off-side play and their constant repelling of their attacks. All in all, this victory would not be possible without ARFC’s defence.
Man-of-the-Match? Very close between Elvis and Bernard, but I would choose Bernard ahead of Elvis, but only slightly.
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