ARFC put in impressive showing in front of potential sponsor

Taking on Holland Park for the 2nd time in its 9th tournament match, ARFC put in their best performance in recent times by posting a comprehensive 4-0 victory, but which could have been more, at Punggol SS.

The match was witnessed by Cerine (beau of Jinzhong), En Dian (injured) and Toni (potential jerseys sponsor).

ARFC received 3 doses of boosts when Soon, Ron and Darren made last-min appearances. Special mention to Soon for turning up even after his morning marathon run.


ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong
Sweeper: Combative Ron
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Long-throw specialist Norman
Centre-mid: Steely Tze Ern
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Powerful Alvin (captain)
Striker: Speedy Hee

Subs:

Chun Haw (talented 14 year-old keeper)
Dynamic Soon
Talisman Derrick (late)
Minghui (guest player)

ARFC and in particular Cerine suffered a huge heart-ache when Jinzhong lasted only about 7 mins after his right foot was caught in the ground after attempting a clearance. In came Chun Haw to take his place.

In the 17th min, Darren was booked for a very fiery protest against a wrong decision by the otherwise-excellent referee. Just mins later, Darren turned his anger into productive energy when he made a Roberto Carlos-like run down the left bye-line and squared the ball in. Blackburn did very well to dummy the ball to Derrick who had replaced Norman just mins earlier. Derrick rolled the ball back to Alvin juts outside the 6-yard box and the latter duly drove the ball towards goal that bounced off the left post, then the right post before slowly crossing the line for his 132nd ARFC goal. 1-0

Excellent build-up goal.

ARFC only led 1-0 as a couple of chances went awry.

In the 2nd half, it was clear that ARFC would be the winners as it continued to dominate the match. Just 7 mins after the restart, ARFC doubled the lead when Darren won possession at left back, laid the ball to the impressive Minghui who spotted Alvin from inside his own half. Minghui released Alvin who then sped away, looked to have lost the ball to their keeper, but somehow managed to prod the ball past their bewildered keeper for his 133rd ARFC goal. 2-0.

By now, the opponents were deflated and ARFC created chances after chances. Hee had 2 very good opportunities spurned, Derrick’s shot did not carry enough power, and even Toh showed Beckenbauer-like skill when he moved from his stopper position all the way just outside the penalty box but he screwed his shot high and wide.

ARFC’s 3rd goal finally arrived. Picking up a shot, Chun Haw showed great awareness beyond his youthful years when he spotted Alvin at the half-way line. With a great strong kick, the ball flew to Alvin who shrugged off their defender’s challenge and flew down the right flank. Bringing the ball into the penalty box, Alvin was unselfish when he lured their keeper out and squared the ball to the unmarked Blackburn who gleefully placed the ball home into the unguarded net for his 93rd ARFC goal. 3-0

In the 77th min, Blackburn did a Xabi Alonso when he chipped the ball into the net from almost at the half-way line. Though their keeper tried his best to back-pedal and keep the ball out, Blackburn’s precision was simply too much for him to handle.4-0 and this was Blackburn’s 94th ARFC goal, just 6 shy of the century mark.

This was a match where every warrior did very well and there was no warrior who disappointed the crowd and sponsor.

Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Ron (who did everything right at sweeper) and Alvin (who put in a captain’s display but must watch the off-side more often).