Sebastian nets winner as ARFC maintains 100% record in 2009

Playing its 2nd match in as many days, ARFC edged out the Republic Polytechnic staff team despite many weary bodies at the magnificent artificial pitch at RP. Their 6th victory also ensured that ARFC maintained its 100% record in 2009.

ARFC received double doses of boost when Huiming unexpectedly returned from his work stint in US and Khim also returned to the team after missing the last match. Besides the 77,777 fans, Boon also discreetly crept into the stadium to lend his support.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Commanding Weili (guest keeper from Rendezvous FC)
Right-back: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh (captain)
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Hardworking Tong
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Speedy Hee

Mean-machine Hock, Dynamic Soon and determined Huiming are the subs.

Playing at his homeground, Toh was made captain and he led the team with much aplomb with his commanding display at the heart of the defence.

This was the 2nd time that ARFC is playing against RP with the first time ended in a 2-2 stalemate. Hence, ARFC was determined to put things right and attacked right from the whistle.

After a couple of near misses by Haron, ARFC opened the scoring in the 17th min after some good work down the right flank. Guoxiong played Hock through down the right wing and he whipped in a ferocious cross that looked to have eluded everybody. However, Khim made a blind side run and stooped to head into the net for his 37th ARFC goal.

However, RP equalized after some careless defensive work. 1-1.

Due to tired bodies, ARFC made a string of subs to rest warriors with Huiming, Hock and Soon taking over Elvis, Sebastian and Hee respectively.

ARFC regained the lead in the 37th min. Again, the source came from the right as Guoxiong drove in a fierce ball into their penalty box for Hock to chase. When their defender kicked thin air, Hock ghosted in in a flash and proceeded to power the ball past their despairing keeper for his 20th ARFC goal. 2-1 which remained the half-time score.

When play resumed, ARFC again squandered few chances with Haron the chief culprit which was a huge surprise to the fans.

In the 67th min, their midfielder took a pot-shot which somehow ended up in the net. 2-2.

ARFC scored its winning goal 7 mins from the end. With the ball to his feet, Sebastian drives through the centre, played a one-two with Haron, break clear of their defence and side-footed the ball home for his 65th ARFC goal, and wheeled away in celebration ala Marco Tardelli in World Cup 82. 3-2.

ARFC could have scored its 4th goal in the match but Hee inexplicably missed when presented with an open goal. Hock followed up but his thunder shot hit the keeper. Unlucky!

Man-of-the-Match? – It has to be Hock, while Toh and Khim came very close.

It was very commendable for ARFC to win consecutive matches in two days, especially after a tough match yesterday. All warriors gave their all and although the bodies are not so willing, the spirits and determination of all were evident for all to see…….