ARFC chalked up 2nd win in Div II league championship

Playing its 1st match at this time in the month of May 09, ARFC chalked up its 2nd win in the Div II tournament match in front of 77,777 at Deyi SS.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Astute-reading Elvis
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn (captain)
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Dynamic Soon
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Marauding Boon
Speedy Hee


Initially, there were no subs as both subs were late and hence there were fears that ARFC warriors could not hold out due to the searing heat that measured almost 42.77 degrees celcius. Furthermore, Tjioe was spotted partying heavily at the Singapore Flyer the night before to celebrate Man Yoo’s very-lucky title win and his alcohol breath could be smelt from his own home at West Cost even though he was in AMK area.

Within mins, ARFC had already created several chances but were spurned by both Alvin and Haron, the former missed when one-on-one while the latter incredulously hit the post from just 0.77 metres with the goal gaping!! Unlucky, though it was a good sign that ARFC were creating chances and also both of them had gotten into good positions with their runs.

ARFC took the lead in the 17th min. Blackburn’s long ball over the top into their penalty area was latched on by Soon who made a run from deep and managed to nick the ball away from their keeper who was late and brought Soon down. This gave the referee no chance but to point to the spot. Sebastian stepped up and sent their keeper the wrong way for his 67th ARFC goal. 1-0.

After some more misses, ARFC doubled the lead in the 27th min. Sebastian broke clear from the midfield and aided with several decoy runs from Boon and Haron, laid the ball out to the right for the over-lapping Elvis. Without breaking his stride, Elvis sent in a cross ala Cafu which was met with a powerful header from Haron. The ball was tipped onto the bar but Haron persisted and managed to head in the rebound despite closing in by their towering stopper for his 143rd ARFC goal. 2-0.


Midway through the 1st half, ARFC, the opponents and even the referee could not stand Tjioe’s alcohol breath any longer and he had to be substituted!!

In the 2nd half, ARFC continued where it let off and still created chances after chances but were again wasted by Haron, Alvin, Sebastian and other warriors.

The 3rd goal came in the 57th min. Elvis’ (or Guoxiong) ball from the right-back position was superbly flicked on by Boon to the on-rushing Soon who shot was parried by their keeper. The loose ball fell to Alvin and he finally made amends for his misses by easily slotted home the rebound for his 94th ARFC goal. 3-0 and Alvin is on course to be only the 2nd ARFC warrior to cross the century-goal mark!!

ARFC relaxed and was punished when the opponents pulled a goal back. 1-3.

ARFC controlled the match from start to finish and on a better day could have scored another 5 to 7 goals easily. But a win is still a win and ARFC gained another 3 points in the league.

Men-of-the-match jointly goes to Toh, Blackburn and Elvis.