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.
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