Sunday, July 20, 2008

ARFC's unfortunate and controversial loss

In a match refereed by the worst referee ARFC ever faced, ARFC was extremely unfortunate to lose 1-2 to Nova after a very controversial penalty awarded in almost the last kick of the match.

ARFC welcomed back sublime Khim after few weeks’ absence and versatile Kiat also made a surprise appearance. Sebastian’s wife, Caren, Khim’s wife Brenda and son Dylan were also there to lend their support.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Reliable David
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Left-foot wizard Bernard
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn

Subs: Speedy Hee
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Versatile Kiat


The opponents were equal to ARFC and play was 50-50 until a very lousy off-side call by the referee which resulted in them scoring first in the 17th min.

7 mins later, ARFC nearly equalized after Sebastian broke through from the centre mid but his hesitation let the team now and the chance was gone.

However, ARFC did not take long to equalize. Toh’s chipped ball landed at Khim’s feet who fashioned a ball to Blackburn. Without breaking his stride, Blackburn unleashed a venomous volley that struck the underside of the bar and over the line, in a goal similar to Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup Final goal against West Germany. 1-1 and it was Blackburn’s 71st ARFC goal.

Play was still equal throughout the match and both teams had great chances to score. For ARFC, Alvin burst through on the left flank and his shot was saved, Kiat’s follow-up was also saved and Guoxiong’s another follow-up was also saved.

David even had a well-struck 37 metres shot that was saved by their keeper.

The referee tried his best to spoil the good match and in the 2nd half, he did not even blow for off-side at all despite some very obvious off-side by the opponents.

With almost the last-kick of the match, the referee awarded the MOST softest and controversial penalty ever seen in modern football. 1-2.

ARFC was really unlucky to lose this match, thanks to the super-incompetent referee. The match also ended Alvin’s 9-match successive scoring run, nevertheless still an ARFC record itself.

ARFC defence & Soon inspires ARFC's victory

Shrugging aside last week’s unfortunate loss, ARFC returned to its winning ways with a resounding 5-1 thrashing of its opponents at Yio Chu Kang SS just now.

ARFC was hit with the tragic news that ARFC scoring legend Haron would be out for at least with a knee injury. Fortunately, ARFC received a huge boost when hard-running Guoxiong turned up unexpectedly. Sources revealed that his mobile phone business has recently been listed at SGX and hence he did not have to tend to the shop every Sunday now. This only spelt good news for ARFC in future as Guoxiong would definitely add pace, aggression and determination to ARFC’s defence/midfield.

During the pre-match briefing, Sebastian also apologized to all ARFC warriors for his outburst last week. To show his sincerity, he did 77 push-ups and sit-ups before the start of the match.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Talisman Derrick
Right-back: Reliable David
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Left-foot wizard Bernard
Right-mid: Hardworking Tong
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs: Speedy Hee
Uncompromising Edwin
Hard-running Guoxiong


ARFC was determined to put up a good show to erase last week’s debacle. Upon the start, all ARFC warriors pressed the opponents relentlessly and were unfortunate not to score after missing several chances.

In the 17th min, ARFC fell behind after a comical error by Derrick which resulted in a penalty being awarded against him. To the credit of ARFC, not one warrior blamed Derrick at all s it was kind of him already to volunteer his services as keeper even though he was still injured. 0-1.

ARFC did not lose its cool and equalized almost immediately. Tong and Sebastian exchanged passes which saw Tong flying down the right flank and delivered an inch-perfect cross into the penalty box. The ball was met by the muscle-bulging chest of Alvin who chested the ball home for his 60th ARFC goal. 1-1.

With this goal which was his 9th successive match, Alvin broke the record of most successive goal-scoring feat (8-match) jointly held by Robin and Haron.

ARFC pressed on but was really unfortunate not to go ahead. Mid-way through, Hee replaced Blackburn and Edwin replaced David.

In the 2nd half, Edwin took over Elvis as sweeper as the latter received a knock on his ankle. Guoxiong came on to raptures applause at right-back. Hee was moved upfront to revert to 442 formation, with Sebastian taking over at left-mid.

ARFC again came close but failed to go ahead. In the 57th min, Hee bravely challenged their keeper to a high ball. He won the dual but was floored by their keeper. Unfortunately, his header just went slightly wide. Fortunately, he was ok.

Blackburn then replaced Tong and moved to left-mid with Sebastian taking over at right-mid.

This move soon reaped rich dividends. Blackburn and Tjioe combined to set up Alvin who then teed up the on-rushing Soon to side-foot home for his 4th ARFC goal. His goal seemed to ease ARFC warriors who then stepped up a notch.

Just 7 mins later, ARFC then 3-1 up. Sebastian’s perfectly-measured through ball to Hee resulted in Hee using his lightning pace and broke clear. Unselfishly, Hee drew out their keeper and squared the ball to on-rushing Alvin who had the simplest of task to roll the ball into the empty net. 3-1 now.

Elvis then came on to replace Toh who had a slight twist at his ankle, and David also came on to replace the impressive Bernard.

Another 7 mins later, ARFC got its 4th goal. Sebastian used his pace and skill to hoodwink their left-back and he squared the ball to Hee who was lurking just inside the penalty box. Again using his Robinho-type footwork, Hee dummied the ball and Soon was on hand to side-foot the ball home in an almost-replica of his earlier goal. 4-1 and it was Soon’s 5th goal for ARFC.

ARFC was not done yet. In the 77th min, Sebastian finally executed his dream-long-awaited-Jamie Redknapp-Alonso-type of pass when he sent in a searing diagonal ball from right flank all the way to the left-side. The ball eluded all defenders and even their keeper and Alvin needed no second invitation to side-foot the ball home into the empty net for his 7th hat-trick and 62nd goal for ARFC. However, he is still behind Robin (10) and Haron (9) in terms of hat-tricks for ARFC.

7 seconds from time, David nearly scored the goal of the match but his lob from 37.77 metres was just narrowly wide. Unlucky.

Full credit must be given to ARFC’s defence of Elvis, Edwin, Toh, Bernard, David and Guoxiong who did not allow the opponents to have any direct sniff at goal throughout. It is with their assured display that ARFC was able to concentrate on its attack. But the Man-of-the-Match must clearly be given to Soon for his all-round display and of course his 2 goals. His first goal for ARFC in this match was particularly crucial as it broke the opponents’ resistance and calmed ARFC down.

Sebastian fined $7,777 for rare outburst

The ARFC Board of Directors have decided to fine Sebastian $7,777 for his rare out-burst at the match just now. Sebastian has also issued an apology to all players, fans and supporters as it was unbecoming of him to lose his temper on the pitch.

The $7,777 collected will be donated to Ren Ci Hospital due to its decreasing donations amount due to the monk's arrest and charge.

ARFC suffered 2nd loss in the year 2008

Playing on the Ahmad Ibrahim SS pitch for the 2nd time, ARFC put up an abysmal showing to lose 2-3 to a very enthusiastic and determined Indian team, thereby snapping its 11-match unbeaten run. The defeat was also only ARFC’s 2nd loss in the year 2008 thus far.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Reliable David
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Unpredictable Blackburn
Left-back: Left-foot wizard Bernard
Right-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Hardworking Tong
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs: Speedy Hee
Towering Toh (both slightly late)


Perhaps due to the lack of their love ones, ARFC was not in its usual elements and was put under pressure by the opponents in the opening minutes, made worse by Blackburn’s casual balls which added more pressure to the team.

In the 7th min, however, ARFC scored with almost its first direct attack. Sebastian’s through-ball was latched on expertly by Tjioe who came running to the heart of their defence. Continuing his scoring form, Tjioe easily beat their keeper with a cool finish for his 44th ARFC goal. 1-0.

The opening goal seemed to lure ARFC it complacency and the opponents almost grabbed an equalizing goal if not for some superb goalkeeping by Jinzhong.

Toh and then Hee came on to replace Bernard and David respectively mid-way through the 1st half.

In the 37th min, off a very controversial off-side decision, they equalized. Television replays confirmed that the referee had made a bad call as their scorer was clearly miles off-side. Unlucky ARFC!!!

In the 2nd half, Blackburn continued at left-back which proved to be a fatal move. In the 47th min, he did not move up which played their right-winger on-side. Clumsily, he clipped the heels of the opponent and gave the referee no chance but to point to the spot. 1-2.

Blackburn was again at fault for their 3rd goal as he allowed their play to turn him easily and unleashed a rather lucky shot into the roof of the net. 1-3 now.

ARFC tried its best and was really unlucky when Toh, Alvin, Haron, Tjioe all had good shots and headers blocked.

ARFC finally pulled a goal back in the 87th min after Tjioe flicked on Sebastian’s through ball and Alvin broke clear. Keeping his cool, Alvin rifled the ball high into the net for his 59th ARFC goal. Alvin had now scored in 8th successive match which was an ARFC record.

However, Alvin’s goal proved no more than a consolation goal as time had run out.

When the referee blew the final whistle, the faithful ARFC fans sunk to their feet in total disbelief as the opponents were clearly inferior. Many babes were seen crying and burning their bras and panties in frustration, and some of them even turned hysterical by throwing their tops onto the pitch.