In its 2nd league match, ARFC conceded a last-grasp equaliser to defending champions The OC for a 1-1 draw at Orchid Park SS. Witnessing the heart-breaking draw were its usual fans like, Rayes, Cerine, Anna, Tracie, Su and Afiqah.
ARFC started with this line-up:
GK - Dependable Jinzhong
RB - Hard-running Guoxiong
LB - Combative Ron
Sweeper - Astute-reading Elvis
Stopper - Towering Toh
RM - Talisman Derrick
CM - Influential Sebastian
CM - Dynamic Soon
LM - Nippy Kenny
FW - Powerful Alvin
FW - ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (captain)
Subs:
Hardworking Tong
Speedy Hee
Unpredictable Blackburn
Elegant Edwin
Bouyed by its opening league match victory, ARFC came out firing on all cylinders and immediately put The OC under intense pressure with both Alvin and Haron impressing.
The match was just 7 mins old when Haron won a free-kick just outside the penalty box. Sebastian stepped up to execute a curling ball that was expertly palmed away to safety by their keeper.
ARFC was not to be denied 7 mins later. From a long kick by the opponent, Derrick side-footed the ball back to their half which was picked up by Alvin. Holding up the ball well, Alvin spotted Soon running in from deep and paid the ball to his path. The ball looked to be covered by their defender but Soon was quickest to nick the ball away from him and thumped the ball home for his 21st ARFC goal. Wonderful goal. 1-0
ARFC then made a series of substitutions and held out for a one goal lead at half-time.
As the match progresses in the 2nd half, it was clear to all that The OC, being much younger, gradually had the upper hand with their movements and passing. However, great credit must be given to ARFC, especially its defence which was so water-tight.
With about 2 mins remaining, ARFC failed to clear a loose ball which went to their player just outside the box. He took a pot-shot that went through seas of legs in the box and the unsighted Jinzhong got a touch but was unable to prevent the ball from going in. Unlucky!! 1-1.
To be honest, this draw was a fair result but it was heart-wrenching to concede the equaliser so late in the match and also when the sky was pitch-dark.
Credit must be given to all warriors for giving their all in this match and attendance was again commendable. ARFC's defence of Elvis, Toh, Guoxiong and Ron was really superbly impressive and that was why they played throughout.
Apart from an early blunder that nearly gifted The OC a goal, Jinzhong did very well in this match. The midfielders combined rather effectively to shut them out and Haron and Blackburn gave a decent outing. Though Alvin did not register a shot in the match, he troubled their defence no end with his powerful runs and shielding.
All in all, ARFC once again played very well which augurs well for its remaining matches. Man of the Match? It's an extremely narrow fight between the 4 defenders but Ron just slightly pipped the other 3 for this award.
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