ARFC kicked off its D2D league against FC Simpang. As the match promised to be a close game as evident from the 1-1 draw and 2-1 narrow win last season, 151515 packed the venue as they wanted to show total support to ARFC. The match was witness by Tracie and Cerine, partners of Guoxiong and Jinzhong respectively.
ARFC started with this line-up:
GK - Dependable Jinzhong
RB - Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper - Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper - Towering Toh (captain)
LB - Unbeatable Darren
RM - Talisman Derrick
CM - Dynamic Soon
CM - Hard-man Tjioe
LM - Nippy Kenny
SC - Unpredictable Blackburn
SC - Powerful Alvin
Subs:
Speedy Hee
Battling Andrew
Zi En (guest player)
William (guest player)
Previous encounters with FC Simpang have always been close and eventful affairs littered with clashes, hard tackles, cards, penalties, penalty misses, etc... The first game of the season for ARFC against them was no exception as well. With a healthy turnout and playing at a more comfortable 5pm kick off time, ARFC had the luxury of employing “wheel tactic” aka “che lun zhan”, where ARFC was often the victim of it, on FC Simpang.
Right from the start of kick-off, ARFC tried to stamp its dominance by closing down the opponent fast, chasing after every loose ball and going in for every challenge, knowing that standbys were all ready on the bench, able to come in anytime when needed. That proved to have an impact as the opponent were being pinned back in their half for most of the 15 minutes.
It was no surprise that on the 15th minute mark, ARFC took the lead. Off a throw-in, Guoxiong received the ball on the right and spotted Alvin lurking dangerously outside the penalty box. Without looking for further option, he sent in a well-weighted cross into the box that sailed over the heads of the defenders and nicely to the head of Alvin for him to power a header beyond the outstretched hands of the diving keeper and into the back of the net. 1-0! This is Alvin’s 126th ARFC goal.
With the tenacious running, the midfielders full of running were then replaced. Derrick, Tjioe and Soon were replaced by Hee, Zi En and William with Blackburn dropping to midfield. The substitutions allowed ARFC to continue pressuring the opponents, but the absence of both Soon and Tjioe in the middle of the park was definitely felt as the opponent started to get back into the game and was able to mount some attacks.
The match was now evenly contested with end to end actions for both sides. ARFC could have added another goal, if Blackburn had put on his goal-scoring boots as he sent a couple of his shots sky high instead of at the goal.
15 minutes from half time, disaster struck as there was a mixed up in defence. Guoxiong, able to clear the ball with his left foot, left the ball for Elvis to clear, thinking it was easier for him. However, the opponent striker took the opportunity and nip in to tap the ball away towards goal, leaving Elvis no chance but to hack him down for a penalty, which they converted. 1-1.
Just before half-time, the opponent had a chance to take the lead with a pot-shot at goal which was destined for the top corner of the goal. ARFC had dependable Jinzhong to thank as he stayed alert and dived full stretched to tip the ball over for a corner. World class save! HT:1-1.
During the half-time team talk, Elvis pointed out that if the sole of his boots had not come off, which slowed him down, he would have cleared the ball before the opponent get to the ball and the penalty could be prevented. Really unlucky! Thus, Blackburn took over his place as sweeper for the 2nd half as Elvis started mending his boots. Derrick, Andrew and Soon came in for Alvin, Elvis and Zi En.
The 2nd half started with ARFC showing the same tenacity as seen in the first half determined to get back into the lead. However, the opponent was just determined as well and the game was locked in a midfield battle. It was great to see ARFC displaying the fighting spirit and going in for the challenges, especially the midfield and attack. The “wheel tactic” continued with Alvin and Tjioe coming in for Hee and Derrick to continue the pressure.
Less than 15 minutes later, ARFC had the chance to take the lead. Off the corner, the referee judged that the opponent had pushed Alvin and pointed to the spot for a penalty again, this time to the benefit of ARFC. Up stepped Alvin to restore the lead, but to the astonishment of the crowd and ARFC warriors and even the opponent, Alvin put too much power into the side-foot and even though he sent the keeper diving the wrong way, he also sent the ball pass the wrong side of the post. Unlucky for Alvin as he will now be banking on scoring goals from open play like what Fernando Torres does best. The score remained 1-1.
The penalty miss seemed to fire up the opponent as they pressed for a goal as well. Off along ball floated in to the right, the opposition striker run through to face one on one with Jinzhong, who was once again alert and dived in bravely at the foot of the striker to prevent him from scoring. Great save and brave goalkeeping by Jinzhong.
With 15 minutes of the game to go, Blackburn gave the crowd and warriors the scare of the game by sending a goal kick straight to the opposition striker. Luckily, the defence was able to cover in time and a catastrophe was prevented. Before more unpredictable things can happen, Elvis came in for Guoxiong to replace Blackburn as the sweeper, Hee came back on for Tjioe on the right of midfield.
The match continued as a midfield battle and looked set to end up in a draw. However, with 15 seconds of normal time left, Kenny, who has been impressive down the left with his ferocious running, had other ideas. He spotted Hee on the right flank unmarked and sent a cross over which Hee done well to bring it down first time facing the opponent’s keeper. Hee then took a shot, hitting the ball directly at the keeper which the keeper palmed away comfortably. All players in the field and supporters out of the field thought that the chance was lost, but little do they know that Hee recovered from his shooting position and sped to the palmed away ball to coolly tap the ball into the empty net, with the keeper still on the ground. Clearly, the opponents and supporters had forgotten Hee’s world-renowned speed which only Usian Bolt can match!
Hee’s goal also ensured he reached another significant milestone as this was his 80th ARFC goal.
ARFC was in ecstasy while FC Simpang was in disbelief. And that was to be the last significant attack by either side till the referee blew the final whistle. FT: 2-1 to ARFC.
Man of the Match goes to Jinzhong for the two world class saves, one in each half, which prevented the opponent any chance of taking the lead. No one can deny the importance of his presence and contribution to the team.
This is a match where all ARFC warriors showed great spirit and determination from defence to midfield to attack. The way which the win was carved out made it even more satisfying. This is definitely the type of games that ARFC warriors are looking to be part of every week.
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