ARFC Awards Winners

At the ARFC Awards Night on 25 Jul 09 at the East Coast chalet, the ARFC warriors enjoyed themselves thoroughly and it was a shame that more warriors did not turn up for the joyous occasion. I will try my best to put up some photos. These are the winners:

Player of the Year - Soon (this award comes with $100 cash);
Most Improved Player of the Year - Hee;
Special Star Award - Blackburn;
Top Scorer - Alvin;
Supporters of the Year - Suhana + Afiqah;
Players' Choice (1st) - Soon (58 points);
Players' Choice (2nd) - Alvin (35 points);
Players' Choice (3rd) - Toh (34 points);
Players' Choice (4th) - Sebastian (26 points);
Players' Choice (5th) - Guoxiong (25 points).

Special mention to Alvin, Jinzhong and Blackburn for achieving the full attendance of 14 matches for the tournament matches.

Special thanks to all those who turned up namely Jinzhong, Elvis + Anna, Guoxiong + Tracie, Sebastian + Caren, Alvin + Irene, Soon, Tong, Hee, Haron + Su + Afiqah + kids, Toh + wife + Gerrard and last but not least Boon for making a cameo appearance and act as a photographer.

Cheers!!!!

ARFC strolled to easy 3-0 win over Vietnamese opponents

Playing a friendly match under scorching weather on Saturday against a Vietnamese team, ARFC strolled to an easy 3-0 victory in front of just 7,777 fans including Anna (wife of Elvis), Irene (girlfriend of Alvin) and finally Caren (wife of Sebastian) who made her long-waited appearance after many many months away. With the victory, ARFC did what our Singapore Lions could not do by beating Vietnamese opponents. Lu Ma!!

The reason for the low turn-out was because the other fanatical fans were at Clarke Quay area to support the Best Football Club in the world Liverpool FC.


Prior to the match, ARFC received a huge blow when Hardman Tjioe had to pull out as he performed too many “wheel-barrow” antics on Friday night and sprained his back. Medical examinations revealed that Tjioe had to do without sex for the next 7 months.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Right-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Hardworking Tong (captain)
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Combative Ron (late)
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (late)
Andrew (guest player)

Even though ARFC was in “holiday mood” due to its Annual Awards Night later in the evening, it still wasted no time in imposing its authority in the match. The match was just 7 mins old when Guoxiong embarked on his trade-mark over-lapping run down the right flank and chipped in a world-class cross ala David Beckham. The ball sailed over all their defenders and goalkeeper and Alvin has the simplest of task in simply nodding the ball home for his landmark 100th ARFC goal!! With this goal, Alvin joined Haron as the other centurion goal scorer for ARFC!!! Upon seeing Alvin chalked up this milestone, Irene was seen performing her own Mexican waves by herself 77 times at the side-line.

Perhaps still in celebratory mood, ARFC turned complacency and was nearly punished in the 27th min when Edwin was robbed of possession and the ball was squared across to their unmarked striker who looked certain to score from just 7 metres out. Incredibly, Guoxiong came from nowhere to nick the ball away ala Jamie Carragher for a corner. Superb defending!!

The Vietnamese opponents then resorted to some rough-house tactics and fouled every warrior on almost every challenge. Their bold moves were encouraged by the very-inept referee who incredibly tolerated all their challenges!!

In the 2nd half, ARFC continued its poor display and craved out few chances. Nevertheless, ARFC doubled its lead in the 67th courtesy of yet another delicious cross from Guoxiong. The ball found the head of Edwin who had moved up to the striker role and he made full use of his height to head the ball past their despairing keeper for his 6th ARFC goal. 2-0.

Just 7 mins from the end, Haron chipped in a fabulous cross from the centre to Edwin whose bullet header was spilled by their keeper. Edwin followed up with a pressure to the keeper who tried his best to retrieve the lose ball and the loose ball eventually fall to Haron at the goal-line and Haron gleefully thumped the ball home from 0.7 metres out for his also land-mark 150th ARFC goal. 3-0!!

Man of the Match must be given to Guoxiong for his 2 assists as well as his wonderful and determined defending which reminded everybody of a certain Rob Jones from the great Liverpool side in the early 90s.

Friendly match on saturday before Awards night at East Coast

As all the 4 - 6 pm slots at both East Coast and The Cage futsal are full, I have instead arranged a friendly match on Saturday @ 3 pm @ Yio Chu Kang Sec Sch against a Korean team.

After that, we can all go for the Awards Night @ East Coast as informed earlier.

It is my hope that ALL warriors can turn up for the friendly match as well as the Awards Night.

Time of Awards

Stupid me, I forgot to state the time of the awards. It's at 7 pm +++++

However, i will be checking in at about 2.30 pm. For those who wants to go early and relak relak there first, you can come early too....

Cheers....

ARFC Awards Night + Chalet - 25 Jul 09 (Sat)

Dear ARFC warriors + their loved ones + fans:

The ARFC Awards Night + chalet is on this Saturday (25 Jul). The venue is at East Coast chalet, now known as Goldkist Resorts. The villa number is G06. If there is a change in chalet number (though very unlikely), I will SMS you on that day.

All food + drinks are FOC since it came from ARFC club funds which were accumulated from the excess payment you guys paid for very match.

There are what you need to bring on Saturday:

(i) Yourself (obviously);
(ii) Your loved ones which means your wife/child(ren)/girlfriend/other girlfriend(s)/mistresses/pets etc etc....;
(iii) Your soccer boots/shoes + socks as we might go play futsal in the mid-night if there are enough people;
(iv) Your personel effects - towels, spare clothings, tooth-brush etc etc (especially for those staying over);
(v) Your own cameras;
(vi) Your cheerful and happy mood to enjoy the occasion.


So, hope to see all of you there!!!!

Cheers...

ARFC unlucky to lose by 2 goals

Taking on Team BI for the 2nd time in the D2D Div II league match, ARFC was real unlucky to come away with a 0-2 loss in front of 277,777 fans at Serangoon SS which included Anna, Elvis’ wife. The huge turnout was not surprising since both teams are the top 2 teams in Div II.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Influential Sebastian
Right-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Combative Ron
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (captain)
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Uncompromising Edwin
Hardworking Tong
Unpredictable Blackburn
Speedy Hee (late)

Still smarting from a 4-1 defeat in the opening match on this league, ARFC was determined to put things right as too many factors contributed to the loss. ARFC threatened with several half-chances but could not score. Ron and Tjioe also put in hell of a performance in central midfield while Khim and Soon provided craft and worksmanship respectively at the flanks.

ARFC forced several corners and free-kicks and from one free-kick, Sebastian’s ball was powerful but lacked angle which their keeper pushed over for a corner. From the other corners, Toh and Tjioe moved in but their keeper got out to thwart ARFC’s efforts.

Off their first meaningful attack, Team BI opened the scoring from a corner. 0-1.

In the 27th min, Haron and Khim combined brilliantly to set up Alvin but his chip just flew slightly agonizingly over. Unlucky!!

Soon was also put through but his shot was parried by their keeper for yet another corner.

Tong then came on for the tiring Tjioe. Edwin also replaced Alvin to lend height to the attack. Blackburn and Hee took over from Soon and Haron respectively.

Cheered on by the fans who saw that ARFC had played very well, all ARFC warriors came out in the second half with fire in their pot-bellies. Blackburn was impressive with his precise crosses but Edwin failed to connect with his head on 2 occasions. Hee was also causing their defence many many problems with his relentless pressure.

In the 60th min, Haron and Alvin came back on to replace Hee and Edwin respectively. Tjioe also returned in place of Tong and soon, the exhausted Sebastian was replaced by Soon.

ARFC again conjured some half-chances but still could not capitalized and was duly punished when their striker scored. 0-2.

Edwin took over Elvis after the goal and Ron soon pulled out due to pulled calf and was replaced by Sebastian.

In the 77th min, Haron’s nicely-cushioned header fell to Sebastian just outside the box but his shot went wide.

Hee came back on for Blackburn and immediately won 2 fouls with his speed but their same defender was not sent off for the fouls. However, ARFC did not make full use of the free-kicks.

Tjioe nearly pulled a goal back after a dreadful kick from their keeper fell to Tjioe who was at the centre circle area. To everybody’s disappointment, Tjioe’s powerfully-driven return kick went over their keeper, bounced just 0.77 metres in front of the gaping goal, and bounced over! Real real poor luck.


Though Team BI was an extremely tough team to play against, ARFC certainly did not deserve to lose by a 2-goal margin. Perhaps a draw would be a fair result.

Team BI also paid full respect to ARFC before and after the match – word had it that their NFL manager came specially down to the match to guide them for the match. After the match, it was overheard that ARFC was the toughest team that they had played against.

Personally, I feel that ARFC played very, very well despite the loss. No warrior let the team down and all put their hearts and souls into the match.

This is also a match where ARFC lost, yet I am very proud of the performance of the team.

Man-of-the-Match? It has to be Khim although Hee, Ron, Elvis and Tjioe were impressive too.

ARFC Awards Night - 25 Jul (Sat)

Dear ARFC warriors:

Our Awards Night is on 25 Jul (Sat) starting at 1430 hrs at the East Coast chalet. You are cordially invited to attend this prestigious event together with your family members whose understanding for you playing for ARFC must be appreciated/honoured.

More details will be released at a later date and the purpose of this publicity is for you to reserve the night for this event.

For one night only, this event is expected to attract many fans, celebrities like Fiona Xie, Felicia Chin and Constance Song. Hence, pls be there early.

See ya.....

some stats

Dear ARFC warriors + fanatical supporters:

Sunday's (12 Jul 09) 6-0 victory over Ultras was the 177th victory (out of 271 matches) in ARFC's luminous history.

The 6th goal scored by Alvin was also ARFC's 100th goal in the year 2009.

yeah!!!

ARFC's new $7.7 million signing - Ron

ARFC in very easy 6-0 win in Cup match

In the 2nd round of the D2D Cup, ARFC easily dismissed the feeble challenge of Ultras 6-0 on the back of a very impressive team performance in front of nearly 100,777 fans at Broadrick SS. The fans included Haron’s family Su and Afiqah, Alvin’s beau Irene, Guoxiong’s girlfriend Tracie and Elvis’ newly-minted wife, Anna.

The main reason for the extra fans instead of the usual 77,777 fans was because Ron was officially recruited as an ARFC warrior in mid-week for $7.7 million. Because of the huge turnout, all the burgers at the nearly McDonald’s and KFC at Kallang were sold out 2 hours before the match. The sugar-cane and drinks stalls at the Old Airport Road market was also snapped up by the eager fans.

ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong (captain)
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Speedy Hee
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Combative Ron
Hardman Tjioe

ARFC started strongly in the match and both forwards and Hee were causing the opponents plenty of stress and headache with their power and pace. Coupled with Khim’s guile, Sebastian’s direction and Soon’s closing-down, the opponents simply had no answers.

Hence, it was no surprise that ARFC opened the scoring in the 17th min. Picking up a loose ball at the left flank, Khim whipped in a cross and in came Soon from the blind side to plant a looping header which the keeper got a touch but could not prevent the ball from crossing the line. 1-0 and it was Soon’s 19th ARFC goal.

From a rare attack, the opponents nearly scored but Jinzhong managed to push their shot onto the bar and then he picked up the loose ball. World-class goal-keeping!!

Ron came on to replace Soon in the 27th min and immediately made an impact with a superb through ball to Haron who sprung their off-side trap. In an extremely rare moment of hesitation, Haron stumbled and fumbled with his shot and a good chance goes to waste. For that miss, Afiqah was observed to be stomping her feet in disgust!!

Tjioe then came on for Hee with Sebastian going to the right. The substitution of Hee was greeted with a chorus of disapproval as Hee was causing their left-back all sorts of problem with his pace but he was clearly tiring.

With two imposing central midfielders in Tjioe and Ron, the opponents simply could not cope with the muscle, power and strength.

Just minutes before the break, ARFC doubled its lead after Tjioe threaded a brilliant through ball for Alvin who powered clear and slotted in at the far post for his 98th ARFC goal. 2-0.

In the second half, ARFC experimented its defence with Ron replacing Toh as stopper and Soon coming back in at central midfielder. The substitution of Toh was also strongly protested as the fans are not used to seeing Toh being taken off.

Just 7 mins after the re-start, ARFC got its 3rd goal. Sebastian’s corner was aimed at Haron who was clumsily pulled down by their defender, giving the referee an easy decision to award a penalty. Blackburn shrugged off everyone and thumped home the penalty for his 79th ARFC goal. 3-0

By now, the opponents were gone case as ARFC grew from strength to strength. The opponents also started finding fault with the referee as he is the easiest target to blame. However, the referee had a good match.

Alvin then gamely asked to be substituted and in came Hee as the other striker. Again, Hee continued to cause them so much problems and was a perfect foil for Haron.

In the 57th min, Tjioe latched on to a pass and spotting Khim at the far left end, fizzed in an out-of-this-world cross-field ball to Khim. With this superb touch that brought the ball down perfectly ala Thierry Henry, Khim turned and lashed the ball home for his 43rd ARFC goal. 4-0

After a couple of near-misses, Haron finally made amends after breaking their poorly-co-ordinated off-side trap from a through ball from Ron. Haron lifted the ball over their advancing keeper and headed the ball into the empty net for his 149th ARFC goal. 5-0. His reward? Substituted by Alvin.

Khim then was replaced by Toh with Blackburn pushing up to left mid and Elvis taking the left-back position.

ARFC put the icing on the cake with yet another superb move. Hee broke clear at the left and then unselfishly laid the ball to Alvin although Hee could have gone for goal himself. As expected, Alvin thrashed the ball which nearly bulged the net for his 99th ARFC goal. 6-0

ARFC could have scored more goals but several chances were saved by their keeper.

This was a great team performance and every warrior did very well. But if there is a Man-of-the-Match, it goes to Tjioe for his assists and powerful display which turned back the clock on what he is capable of.

top 10 scorers for ARFC

Haron 148
Alvin 97
Blackburn 78
Robin 69
Sebastian 69
Hee 67
Jeffrey 49
Tjioe 47
Khim 42
Toh 34

Soon nets ARFC's 1000th goal in easy 4-1 win

In its 7th tournament match, ARFC easily brushed aside the challenge of 442 FC 4-1 in front of the capacity crowd of 77,777 at Siglap SS which included Haron’s lovely wife Su and lagi-lovier daughter Afiqah.

Prior to the match, Sebastian made 77 frentic calls to various players as many warriors could not make it and there were just 10 warriors available. Thankfully, Ron and Boon responded to the SOS and ARFC somehow managed to assemble 11 warriors for the match.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Boon
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin (captain)
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Influential Sebastian
Right-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Combative Ron
Centre-mid: Unpredictable Blackburn
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin

NO subs at all.

Though playing with no subs, the weather was thankfully kind to ARFC. Straight after the start, ARFC wasted no time in seizing proceeding and Alvin was particularly impressive as gave their right-back a torrid time with his powerful run and superb shielding ability. The opponents also had no answer to Hee’s speedy forays down the left flank and also could not cope with Haron’s brilliant movement.

It was hence no surprise that ARFC opened the scoring in the 17th min. What was a surprise to all was the manner in which the goal was scored. Latching on to a loose ball at the left flank, Hee spotted Haron running in from blind side and he immediately floated a high diagonal ball towards the far post. To the whole world’s (this match was televised to 77 countries in all continents) surprise, the ball sailed over their keeper and into the far corner of the net for his 67th ARFC goal. This goal was almost similar to Ronaldinho’s goal against England in World Cup 2002!!!

ARFC doubled its lead 7 mins later. Again, the bulk of the credit goes to Alvin who once again powered past their right back and lofted in a precise cross. Soon came in from behind and although he misconnected with the ball, the ball still somehow trickled past the goal-line for his 17th ARFC goal. Soon’s goal also reached a MAJOR milestone as it was ARFC’s 1000th goal in its illustrious history!!!


In the second half, ARFC fell to asleep and the opponents pulled a goal back just 77 seconds after the re-start. 2-1 now.

ARFC did not panic and went about its usual business. The 3rd goal came in the 57th min. Blackburn’s free-kick was rebounded back to him and his chip broke their off-side trap. In came Toh and with his imposing body, managed to nick the ball ahead of their on-rushing keeper for his 34th ARFC goal. However, his goal came at a price as Toh injured his last finger in the process. At this time, it is not clear if the injury was serious as the medical examination results are pending. 3-1 now.

ARFC put the icing on the cake in the 67th min. Boon, who put in such a commanding display at right-back which reminded everybody of his Ron Jones-like performances in the early 90s, surged forward and released Soon with a clever chip. Without breaking his stride, Soon drilled home his 18th ARFC goal. 4-1.

ARFC could have extended the margin but very strong penalty calls for fouls against both Haron and Soon were waved away by the referee.

Man of the match is jointly given to Boon (for completing the full match since god knows when and also his assured display at right-back) and Hee (for putting in an all-round display).