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.