Tong shines in 2-2 draw

Courtesy of 2 penalties from Sebastian, ARFC salvaged a 2-2 draw against Mammoet in its 2nd League match in front of 77,777 fans at Yio Chu Kang SS.

The venue was packed to the rafters after news filtered out that Towering Toh will be back after one month out of action through eye surgery. He has also turned down an offer from Melbourne Victory FC to continue to play for ARFC. Mean-machine Hock also made his 2nd appearance in ARFC’s new jerseys. Bernard also returned after missing the league opener.


ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Reliable David
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Hardworking Tong
Left-back: Left-foot wizard Bernard
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn (captain)


Subs:

Uncompromising Edwin;
ARFC scoring legend Haron;
Towering Toh;
Mean-machine Hock


Despite some nervy moments in the early stage, ARFC soon settled and dominated proceedings for about 30 mins. In the 7th min, Blackburn was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Elvis declined to take the penalty and upstepped Sebastian to send their keeper the wrong way for his 59th ARFC goal. 1-0.

Blackburn and Alvin were having a fantastic game with their pressing but Alvin squandered a couple of good chances. His replacement Haron came on to rapturous applause and created more havoc at their defence.

However, in a crazy period of 7 mins, ARFC somehow conceded 2 goals. 1-2.

Edwin and Toh came on to replace Elvis and Soon, with Tong moving into centre midfield.

In the second half, Hock was introduced at the expense of David who worked his lungs out on the right. With Hock’s entrance, ARFC created waves after waves of attack but could not put away the chances. Soon then took a heavy knock and was replaced by Hee.

With numbers thrown in attack, ARFC risked being exposed at the back and indeed was nearly punished on 2 occasions. Luckily, Jinzhong came up with 2 world-class saves to keep ARFC in the game. Edwin and Toh, ably assisted by Tong, also repelled many attacks by them.

ARFC finally equalized in the 67th min. A quick exchange of passes between Hock, Tong and Haron saw Haron displayed his deft footwork that eluded several defenders despite the tight space all the way in the box. He was brought down and Sebastian stepped up again to again send their keeper the wrong way for his 60th ARFC goal. 2-2.

ARFC continued to press hard but could not find the break-through and the final score remained 2-2.

Despite scoring 2 goals from the penalty spot by Sebastian, the real hero of the match has to be Tong for his excellent display at central midfield.