As tournament opponent FC Tempestalla pulled out at the 11th hour due to insufficient players, ARFC played a friendly match instead against a social team at Pei Hwa SS in front of 77,777 fans including Anna (Elvis’ beau), Irene (Alvin’s wife) and Tracie, newly-minted wife of Guoxiong.
This was the 1st match for newly-married Guoxiong and hence he was given the honour to captain ARFC for this match.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Chun Haw (talented 14 year-old keeper)
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong (captain)
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Combative Ron
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Long-throw specialist Norman
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Dynamic Soon
Striker: Nippy Kenny
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Subs:
Steely Tze Ern
Powerful Alvin
Straight from kick-off, Kenny unleashed a powerful shot which was picked up by their keeper who was dropped the ball to the ground. The keeper then picked the ball up again and the referee awarded an indirect free-kick right outside the 6-yard box. Unfortunately, Kenny’s venomous thunderbolt was blocked by their wall on the goal-line.
After 7 mins, it became obvious that the opponent was at least 2 or 3 class below ARFC. Kenny and Norman repeatedly found space and Kenny was particularly unlucky when he flashed 2 low drives wide after being put through.
Alvin came on for the ineffective Blackburn and immediately posed problems with his powerful runs and scuffed 2 shots wide.
Sebastian then put Guoxiong, who seemed to have found extra spring in his steps after his recent marriage (maybe got 7 rounds?), through but Guoxiong was hesitant between choosing to shoot himself or square across for the unmarked Alvin. As a result, his shot also went wide.
Tragedy struck in the 27th min when incredibly, they scored after a defensive error. 0-1.
Tze Ern then came on for the injured Ron at stopper and put in an impressive performance as stopper.
After yet another couple of near misses, ARFC finally equalized. Sebastian found Norman galloping down the right flank with an exquisite overhead chip. Looking up, Norman delivered a cross, ala David Beckham, that sailed over their entire defence and keeper and it was so precise that Alvin simply needed to put his forehead to the ball and nod home for his 131st ARFC goal! 1-1
In the 2nd half, ARFC continued its domination and created so many chances that the fans were anticipating a huge win. However, all these chances were spurned by Blackburn, Kenny, Alvin and all.
Particularly heart-breaking moment came in the 67th min. Kenny did very well to speed away down the left flank ala Ryan Giggs and his excellent centre found Alvin right inside the 6-yeard box and about 0.77 metres from the goal-line. Incredulously, Alvin stopped the ball just nice for their keeper to pick it up when a volley would have found the net.
Guoxiong then won a foul about 37 metres away from goal. Sebastian took aim and curled the ball over the wall which looked destined for the top left-hand corner. From nowhere, their keeper showed Peter Schmeichel-like reflexes when he flung himself across goal to tip the ball over for a corner.
ARFC finally made the break-through in the 77th min. Sebastian played a quick short corner to Kenny who tried to hit a shot but was blocked. The rebound fell kindly back to him and he steadied himself before whacked in a high curling shot which the keeper got a touch but was unable to keep out. Wonderful world-class goal which was similar to those type of goals that Matthew Le Tissier used to score. 2-1 and this was Kenny’s 10th ARFC goal.
Man-of-the-Match award is jointly given to Sebastian and Kenny.
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