To celebrate Labour Day, ARFC put in a batling display to emerge 3-1 victors against the very determined and fit DSTA team at the artificial pitch at Regent Secondary School. Witnessing the win were the WAGS of Andrew, Elvis, Jinzhong and Zac.
ARFC started with this line-up:
GK - Dependable Jinzhong
RB - Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper - Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper - Towering Toh
LB - Unbeatable Darren
RM - Talisman Derrick
CM - Combative Ron
CM - Unpredictable Blackburn
LM - Zac
SC - Powerful Alvin
SC - Speedy Hee (captain)
The subs bench sent shivers down the spines of the opponent:
Dynamic Soon
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Influential Sebastian
Battling Andrew
Things were even-stevens in the opening 17 mins as both sides had some chances. 7 mins later, Alvin combined superbly with Soon with their wall-passes but Soon shot wide.
In the 27th min, Sebastian chipped in a great ball ala Glenn Hoddle and Andrew chested the ball down in a world-class move and eluded their defender. Unfortunately, his volley found row Z.
ARFC finally opened the scoring with yet another flowing move. The ball found its way to Haron who controlled and shielded the ball away from their stopper. With a quick turn, Haron found Andrew galloping down the left flank. With a delicious left-foot cross ala John Barnes in World Cup 86 against Argentina, Andrew's cross found Soon dashing in from the right to deliver a flying header past their keeper for his 29th ARFC goal. 1-0 and truly a world-class goal.
Half-time score is 1-0.
Just 7 mins into the 2nd half, ARFC conceded an equaliser from a corner. 1-1 now.
7 mins later, ARFC earned a penalty after their left-back carelessly handled the ball at the left edge of the box. Elvis stepped up but fired wide. With this miss, Elvis has delinquished the penalty-taking duty which will be passed on to Haron (if he is playing) or Alvin.
ARFC was not to be denied its 2nd goal. Guoxiong's long cross-field ball from the right mid looked to be overhit and their keeper looked to it covered. However, the endless-running Soon did not give up and pursued the ball. Off his pressure, their keeper spilled the ball at almost the left bye-line area and Soon gleefully picked it up and rolled the ball across the goal-mouth. Alvin dashed in and stroked the ball into the empty net for his 120th ARFC goal. 2-1
ARFC nearly conceded another goal from a corner but Guoxiong was at the goal-line to block the header ala Ashley Cole. Superb positioning and discipline.
With mins to go, ARFC put the result beyond doubt with its 3rd goal. Ron, who had such a great match, pressured the opponent and the loose ball fell to Hee. Hee then laid on for Derrick to run at their defender. At this point, ARFC's "twin terrors", Haron and Alvin showed world-class off-the-ball movement ala David Villa and Fernando Torres. Alvin pulled away to the left while Haron ran across to the right, with Derrick running with the ball at the same time. With impeccable timing, Derrick released the ball and Haron broke the off-side trap with precise timing, brought the ball forward and slotted the ball home for his 158th ARFC goal. 3-1. World-class goal!!
This is yet another match where all ARFC warriors did well again. The forwards of Alvin, Haron and Andrew did very well. Ron had a monster of a match and was only pipped to the Man-of-the-Match award by the dynamic Soon.
Special mention must be given to ARFC's defence as well. The fearful foursome of Elvis, Toh, Darren and Guoxiong came out with several blocks which prevented them from troubling Jinzhong. Their blocks and determination reminded us of a certain ARFC pioneer warrior - Huiming!!
Happy Labour Day, once again!!!
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