In its penultimate tournament match, ARFC overcame a stubborn Monforto 2-0 in front of 77,777 fans at Seng Kang SS. With the victory, ARFC maintained its unbeaten run in the tournament and also 100% record in 2009 with its 8th wins in as many matches.
ARFC suffered a huge blow when Towering Toh’s son, Gerrard Toh, was so disturbed by Liverpool’s abject display against Middlesbrough the previous night that he developed a high fever of 39.2 degrees. Hence, Toh had to pull out from the match.
Fortunately, David made his comeback from his serious rib injury to take the field.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Hardman Tjioe
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Mean-machine Hock
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Speedy Hee (captain)
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs are:
ARFC scoring legend Haron
Reliable David
Marauding Boon
Responding to Haron being named a substitute, the ARFC fans made known their feelings by giving 7 rounds of boos at Sebastian’s decision as they are not used to seeing their scoring legend not in the first eleven.
Despite being 2nd from last in the table, Monforto belied their position with their hard-work and closing down of ARFC’s warriors. In fact, Monforto dominated the early proceedings but ARFC’s defence, led superbly by Edwin, held firm.
In the 17th min, a series of inter-link play between Alvin, who put in much-improved effort, and Khim resulted in the latter breaking free in the box. Not surprisingly, Khim showed his usual composure to side-foot the ball past their despairing keeper despite 2 defenders closing down. This was Khim’s 38th ARFC goal. 1-0.
ARFC almost doubled its lead in the 17th min. Sebastian’s right-wing cross found Alvin who unleashed a half volley ala Alan Shearer. The ball looked to be headed to the back of the net but their defender deflected it out for a corner. Unlucky!!
Soon suffered a knock at the heart and was replaced by David, with Blackburn switching to stopper and Tjioe moved up to central midfield. Haron also came on to replace Alvin.
In the 2nd half, Soon replaced the tiring Tjioe. Monforto fought hard to find their equalizer and threatened with their wing-play and long-range shots. However, all their efforts came to nought as Jinzhong came up with a series of world-class saves.
Hee then took over Sebastian at right midfield as the latter was clearly out of breath.
ARFC finally doubled its lead in the 67th min after some great work by Haron who released Alvin on the right. Alvin powered clear and drilled in a grounder across the body of their keeper for his 84th ARFC goal. 2-0.
Soon missed a great chance to add to his 10 ARFC goals after great work down the right flank by Alvin in the 77th min. Alvin’s square ball was missed by everybody and the ball traveled to the unmarked Soon at the far post. However, he skied his shot ala Zulkifli Kartoyoho.
This was a match where ARFC and Monforto shared possession and dominance. Thanks in large part to ARFC’s defence, ARFC managed to keep a clean sheet. For this, the Man-of-the-Match award goes to Blackburn who was superb throughout although Edwin, Guoxiong, Khim and Hock came close.
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