Guoxiong's first-ever hat-trick inspires ARFC to resounding victory

In its 2nd tournament match, ARFC bounced back from a disappointing defeat last week with a comprehensive 6-1 trouncing of Angel Advocates in front of 77,777 fans at Anderson SS.

ARFC was hit with the last-minute withdrawal of Tjioe who was struck down with flu. Haron made it to the pitch but had to withdraw too due to family commitment, while Soon was surprisingly missing.


ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Boon
Sweeper: Towering Toh
Stopper: Uncompromising Edwin
Left-back: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Hardworking Tong
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: Intimidating Damian
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Sub:

Unpredictable Blackburn (late)


ARFC was determined to put last week’s defeat and from the start, ARFC immediately swarmed the opponents. Just minutes into the match, Guoxiong received the ball on the right 37.77 metres out, left their left-back for dead with a sharp twist-and-turn, looked up and belted in a shot that measured at a speed of 377 km/h that gave their keeper, in fact any keeper in the world, no chance at all. The goal was so certain that the Mexican commentator screamed “Goal, goal, goal goal, goal, goalllllllllllllllllllllllll” even before the ball hit the net. 1-0 and this was Guoxiong’s 7th ARFC goal.

In the 17 mins, ARFC doubled the lead. Blackburn, who replaced the tired Boon, swung in a delicious ball from the left that eluded everybody and in came Guoxiong who expertly volleyed the ball home from 17 metres. 2-0 and Guoxiong was on fire!!

7 mins later, ARFC scored its 3rd goal. From a counter-attack, Blackburn brought the ball up and eventually won throw-in on the left. A quick throw by Blackburn to Alvin resulted in the latter flicking the ball into the 6-yard box and in came Damian who dived in ala Rudi Voeller and headed the ball past their keeper for his 11th ARFC goal.

77 seconds later, ARFC scored its 4th goal. Alvin, who had missed a sitter earlier after an exquisite no-look pass from Sebastian had released him, made amends. Elvis, who switched to right-back, sent in a precise diagonal cross right up to Alvin’s feet. Alvin’s shot was parried by their keeper but he was quickest to tuck home the rebound for his 92nd ARFC goal.

In the 2nd half, ARFFC became complacent and allowed the opponents to give us a few scary moments. The opponents then pulled a goal back. 1-4.

ARFC did not panicked and Guoxiong finally scored his first-ever hat-trick for ARFC. A
long punt forward by Blackburn was not cleared by their defence. Capitalising on their hesitance, Guoxiong dashed in from the right and lifted the ball past their keeper for his hat-trick and 9th ARFC goal. 5-1 now.

ARFC was not done. In the 77th min, Sebastian laid the ball to Tong who was lurking just outside the penalty box. With a first-touch that killed the ball, Tong powered in a shot that took a slight wicked deflection and flew past their keeper for his 23rd ARFC goal and ARFC’s 70th goal in 2009.

Man-of-the-Match goes to Guoxiong though I must say every warrior played well.

Speaking to the FHM babes and TNP reporters after the match, Guoxiong expressed his gratitude to the Yishun 618 tui-na master for treating his injury and allowed him to notch his first-ever hat-trick for ARFC.