On the back of a 4-goal salvo from ARFC Scoring Legend Haron, ARFC easily dismissed the challenge of D2D Div I team, Doraemon Warriors, 4-2 in the D2D Cup 1st round tie under the watchful eyes of 77,777 fans at Bowen Sec Sch.
The 77,777 fans and ARFC warriors received a huge shock when versatile Kiat made his appearance after MIA for many many matches. Accompanied by his lovely daughter Teajanz, Kiat was treated to 7 rounds of Mexican waves before the start of the match.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Astute-reading Elvis
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Hardworking Tong
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (captain)
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs:
Dynamic Soon
Versatile Kiat
On the suggestion of Alvin, Sebastian and Haron did not pass the ball back to our half upon the kick-off. Instead, they moved forward and immediately caused panic among the opposing defence. The opponents continued to panic and an opening goal seemed inevitable.
True enough, the opening goal came in the 17th min after a brilliant move. Alvin played the ball down the left flank and Hee, being in an off-side position, moved back and did not go for the ball. Blackburn then reminded the whole world of his previous power play/pace by sprinting from his left-back position all the way to the left flank. Spotting Haron freed in the box, Blackburn rolled a perfect ball for Haron to tuck home his 145th ARFC goal. 1-0
Just 7 mins later, ARFC doubled the lead. Alvin was involved again when he threaded a very good square ball for Haron. With a world-class touch that wrong-footed their defender, Haron broke clear and headed straight into the heart of their defence. Before their keeper could react, Haron used his outside right foot to flick the ball past their despairing keeper for his 146th ARFC goal. 2-0
Haron completed his hat-trick in the 37th min after an eye-pleasing move. Exchanging a one-two with Haron, Sebastian freed himself up at the right flank and after waiting for Haron to take up position in the penalty box, fizzed in a precise cross onto Haron’s head but Haron still showed Shearer-like ability to head past their keeper for his 147th ARFC goal. 3-0
10 mins before the half ended, Kiat replaced the tiring Hee, who put in such a commanding display at left mid, and Soon also took over from Guoxiong who was slightly exhausted.
With a commanding 3-0 lead, ARFC could relax a little and Hee came back on for Haron who took a well-deserved break at half-time. Guoxiong also replaced Elvis at right-back as Elvis wanted to take a breather.
ARFC then conceded a goal after a mistake by Blackburn. 3-1.
In the 2nd half, Kiat impressed with a Ryan Giggs run down the left wing but after that, his “reserve tank” all used up and was replaced by Haron, with Hee moving back to Left mid.
In the 57th min, ARFC scored it’s 4th goal after Toh’s long clearance found Hee breaking clear at the left flank. Without hesitation, Hee spotted Haron free and squared a brilliant ball across goal and just like the 1st goal, Haron tapped the ball home for his 148th ARFC goal. 4-1.
The opponents then pulled a goal back. 4-2.
Haron could have scored his 5th goal in the match but after rounding the keeper, the ball went too far ahead and his 17 degrees angle shot was blocked by their defender for a corner. Unlucky!!
Man-of-the-Match is undoubtedly Haron. All of you know that I do not usually reward warrior based on goals scored but for this match, besides his 4 goals, Haron’s movement and positioning just reminded all and sundry of a certain Ian Rush and/or Fernando Torres……
Having said that, Sebastian, Guoxiong, Hee, Alvin, and ARFC’s central defence of Edwin, Toh and later on, Elvis played fantastically.
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