In a fast-pace, end-to-end action-packed match at Pioneer SS, ARFC maintained its unbeaten streak in the D2D Div I League after edging out last year’s Div I runners-up Raven 3-2.
The win was witnessed by Anna and Cerine, Elvis and Jinzhong’s beau respectively.
Much to the disappointment of the 77,777 fans, Toh had to withdraw from the match squad in the 11th hour after failing to arrange for someone to take care of his new-born kid. With Guoxiong also out sourcing for stuff for his new matrimonial home, it meant that ARFC had lost half of its defence as Toh and Guoxiong were regulars of the fearsome ARFC defence.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Unbeatable Darren
Sweeper: Astute-reading Elvis
Stopper: Combative Ron
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick (captain)
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Nippy Kenny
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
The only sub was Speedy Hee who was late.
ARFC was looking to build on the good form of late and immediately set out its stall by stamping its authority on the match. However, Raven did not earn its runners-up position for nothing and was providing stubborn resistance and equal fight.
ARFC nearly opened the scoring after Derrick, who was captaining ARFC for the very 1st time, was put through by Haron. However, he scooped his shot high and wide.
ARFC then took the lead after Kenny was fouled somewhere near the centre mid area. Sebastian showed quick thinking by playing a quick through rolling ball all the way to the path of Alvin and he did not disappoint by side-footing the ball home for his 112th ARFC goal. 1-0
Derrick was giving their left-back a hard time with his right-wing play and he was cruelly fouled for a number of occasions.
In the 20th min, Kenny felt his hamstring tight again and was replaced by Hee, scorer of a hat-trick in the same ground last Sunday.
After missing a couple of good chances, ARFC was punished when Raven scored. 1-1
ARFC did not panic and within minutes, was back in front. Again, Sebastian was the architect when he spotted Haron free just outside the penalty box. With a neat ground pass, Haron took one touch that wrong-footed their defender, moved slightly into the box and unleashed a shot that their keeper could only parry but was unable to prevent the ball from hitting the net. With his 154th ARFC, Haron made amends for missing a hitter just moments earlier when he shot straight at their keeper.
This goal by Haron was also ARFC’s 1050th goal in its history.
Half-time was 2-1.
Probably due to complacency, Raven equalized within minutes of the re-start. 2-2 now.
The match then exploded and provided the fans with plenty of goal-mouth action. A high ball in from the left had Derrick unleashing a volley from the right ala Marco Van Basten in the 1988 European Championship final goal against Soviet Union. The only difference being that Derrick’s volley was tipped over by Raven’s impressive keeper whereas Van Basten’s volley found the net.
Just minutes later, Derrick was again denied when his acrobatic flying scissors kick ala Fernando Torres was again tipped over by their keeper.
Kenny was next to be denied. From a half-cleared corner, Kenny picked up the ball outside the box and thumped in a brilliant shot ala Paul Scholes. Again, their keeper tipped over the bar. ARFC is now wondering how to beat their world-class keeper.
When their keeper was beaten, the woodwork came to Raven’s rescue. First, in a midst of pin-ball fashion, Ron struck the bar. Then, Sebastian deceived the keeper with his ring-wing cross/shot that sailed over the keeper but struck the bar.
Alvin and Hee then missed golden opportunities too.
Raven was not without its moments. They hit the post once and had 2 or 3 good shots well saved by Jinzhong who had a wonderful match.
Haron then turned saviour 7 mins from time, having replaced Hee just 10 mins earlier. Sebastian chipped in a looping ball over to the left wing and in came the sprinting Kenny who reached the ball ahead of their on-rushing keeper. Kenny kicked the ball into the 6-yard box area and the ball then rolled along and there was Haron to prod home his 155th ARFC goal and the match-winning goal. 3-2
Though a very competitive match, it was played in good spirits and credit to both teams for giving the fans a great match to watch.
All ARFC warriors did well in this match but if a Man-of-the-Match award has to be given, it should be jointly-given to Derrick and Blackburn. Derrick had a superb match down the right wing and his wing-play was solely missed by ARFC last season. As for Blackburn, his defensive display, especially in the 2nd half where he shut out their left side, was really a very commendable effort. Blackburn even lasted the whole match and had also dashed back to stop their play on a number of occasions.
As for the overall Man-of-the-Match award, it is fair to say that Raven’s keeper, William, should win this as he almost single-handedly shut out ARFC.
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