In the D2D quarter-final match, ARFC suffered a heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat to a very-fit and young Samalongkok at Temasek SS in front of its usual fans including Anna (Elvis’ wife).
ARFC received a huge blow when combative Ron had to pull out due to his tooth-extraction in the morning. Fortunately, ARFC scoring legend Haron made it to the match despite fasting which was a great sacrifice on his part.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Elegant Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh (captain)
Left-back: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Right-mid: Unpredictable Blackburn
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Dynamic Soon
Striker: Speedy Hee
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Sub:
ARFC scoring legend Haron
The aging ARFC warriors are expecting a very fit and fast team and true enough, Samalongkok came charging at us right from the kick-off. However, the very experienced ARFC held firm and managed to repel all attacks.
In the 17th min, ARFC could have opened the scoring after a relentless pressure resulted in their defender making a bad back-pass. Alvin latched on to the ball and sped right into the penalty box. However, with only their keeper to beat, Alvin placed the ball against the post and rebounded out to safety. Unforgivable miss!!
In the 20th min, Hee was replaced by Haron after receiving a knock at his elbow.
By the 35th min mark, ARFC warriors were tiring but still managed to hold the opponents at bay. In fact, on the stroke of half-time, ARFC could have taken the lead when Alvin again powered past their right-back and faced their keeper one-on-one. To the astonishment of every ARFC warrior, Alvin tried to square to Haron but the ball was played too far away and there goes another golden opportunity. Half-time 0-0
Needless to say, being at least 10 years older than Samalongkok, ARFC was merely hanging on in the 2nd half. Some very stout and clever defending from Guoxiong and Elvis managed to keep them out. Jinzhong also came up with a couple of stops and Edwin and Toh were commanding in the heart of defence and was able to deal comfortably with their Stoke-like throw-ins.
ARFC nearly conceded a goal in the 77th min. In the goal-mouth melee, the ball rolled along the goal-line but was eventually cleared away. In any case, the referee blew for a foul as Jinzhong’s left-hand was injured by the opponent.
The referee blew for full-time and the penalty shoot-out begins (only 3 kicks instead of the usual 5).
ARFC lost the toss and Samalongkok would take the first kick.
Samalongkok scores: 1-0.
Haron then leveled the score by sending their keeper the wrong way. 1-1.
Samalongkok scores again: 2-1.
Alvin then stepped up to easily beat their keeper. 2-2
Samalongkok scores again. 3-2.
Sebastian had to score to keep ARFC in the match and he duly obliged by beating their keeper. 3-3.
The shoot-out then goes to sudden death.
Samalongkok scores. 4-3
Everybody, including the referee, then had to wait for Blackburn as he was doing don’t-know-what in toilet!!
After an eternity, Blackburn appeared and dispatched the 4th kick to make it. 4-4.
Samalongkok scores again. 5-4.
Upstepped the very cool Elvis to slot home the kick. 5-5
Samalongkok’s next kick was superbly saved by Jinzhong who dived full-length to his left to punch away their kick ala Pepe Reina.
Hence, if Edwin scores his kick, ARFC would progress to the semi-final. However, Edwin sent his spot-kick high and wide. Still 5-5.
Samalongkok scores again. 6-5
ARFC then lost when Tjioe’s kick was saved by their keeper.
Despite losing, I am heartened by the great effort and determination shown by all warriors. It is not an easy task to play against an opponents who were at least 10 years ago, and with only one substitute whereas Samalongkok had at least 4 or 5 subs, and the fact that ARFC could hold on till the end was really commendable.
Man-of-the-Match has to be shared jointly by Jinzhong and Guoxiong.
No comments:
Post a Comment