Soon notched his first-ever ARFC hat-trick in easy win

As there is no tournament match scheduled, ARFC played a friendly match at MacPherson SS. Nevertheless, the usual crowd of 77,777 fans still turned up despite the searing heat to witness ARFC strolled to an easy 6-3 victory. With this win, ARFC is still unbeaten in 2009 with 100% record in 9 matches.


ARFC started with this line-up (3-5-2):

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong (captain)
Right-wingback: Marauding Boon
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh
Stopper: Astute-reading Elvis
Left-wingback: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Unpredictable Blackburn
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Striker: Speedy Hee
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs are:

Hardworking Tong
Reliable David
Influential Sebastian


ARFC did not tale long to stamp its authority in the match with superb passing and movements. Hence, it was no surprise that ARFC opened the scoring in the 17th min. Boon justified his place when he marauded down the right flank. Looking up, he lofted in a delicious ball ala Rob Jones and in came Hee whose world-renowned speed allowed him to reach the ball first before the on-rushing keeper and Hee then lifted the ball over their keeper for his 63rd ARFC goal. This was also Hee’s first goal for ARFC in the year 2009. 1-0.

Satisfied with his contribution, Boon then asked to be subbed and David replaces him.

ARFC doubled its lead merely minutes later. Toh, who returned after missing last week’s match due to his son’s illness, picked up a loose ball about 47 metres away from their goal. Without hesitation, Toh thundered in a shot that measured at 377 km/h ala Xabi Alonso and the venom and speed had their keeper trembling. With trembling feet, their keeper then slipped and the ball flew over him for Toh’s 30th ARFC goal. 2-0.

Tong then took over from Tjioe who was clearly dominating the midfield area with his steely display but wanted to take a breather. Moments later, Sebastian replaced Guoxiong.

Immediately, Sebastian conjured up ARFC’s 3rd goal when he chipped in a long direct over-the-top ball for Soon to run through from the left-flank. Soon reached the ball, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the empty net for his 11th ARFC goal. 3-0.

By now, the opponents were deflated. Just 7 mins later, Soon got his 2nd goal in the match. Alvin did well by powering through the left flank but his square ball was cleared away. Unfortunately, the ball fell to Soon who unleashed a long shot ala Steven Gerrard for his 12th ARFC goal. 4-0

ARFC was not done and seconds before the half-time whistle, Alvin got into the scoring act after being cleverly put through by Blackburn. However, Alvin still had lots to do as he was closed down by their clever sweeper. Nevertheless, Alvin made full use of his upper body strength ala Didier Drogba and shrugged him aside and side-footed home for his 85th ARFC goal. 5-0.


In the 2nd half, ARFC reverted to 4-4-2 but still continued to control proceedings.

Just 7 mins after the re-start, Soon almost notched a hat-trick after being put through by Blackburn. However, he just missed the goal by a mere 0.77 mm. Unlucky.

Soon made up for his miss by finally hitting his first-ever hat-trick for ARFC. He picked up a wild clearance from their keeper and brought the ball all the way into the box and shot home for his 13th ARFC goal. His hat-trick also allowed him to join a select band of hat-trick warriors for ARFC. 6-0.

ARFC then turned complacent and allowed them to pull 3 goals back. 6-3.

Hee also missed a golden chance when he somehow shot over in front of a gaping goal after yet another good work by Alvin.

I feel very tempted to give the Man-of-the-Match award to Soon but I must say that Blackburn was creating chances throughout the match. Hence, it would be a shared award between them.