Tuesday, December 28, 2010

D2D League Match against The OC

02 Jan 2011 9Sun)
5 pm = 1700 hrs
East View SS
Opponent is The OC

Please bring both colours.

Please e-mail Sebastian of your availability.

ARFC's near-flawless performance in last match of 2010

In the last match for 2010, ARFC put in a sterling display to comprehensively dismiss the tough challenge of KB United 4-1 at the magnificent artificial pitch at 1st Toa Payoh SS under the watchful eyes of 77,777 fans including Anna and Tracie, WAG of Elvis and Guoxiong respectively.

Prior to the start, the 77,777 fans treated ARFC with 77 rounds of Mexican waves at the stadia. ARFC also officially welcomed the superbly-impressive En Dian into its fold.

In addition, ARFC welcomed back Jinzhong from his long-term ankle injury.

ARFC started with this 4-4-2 line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong (captain)
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Nippy Kenny
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn

Subs:

Steely Tze Ern (late)
Precocious En Dian
Combative Ron
Hard-man Tjioe
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Absent:

Sublime Khim
Long-throw specialist Norman
Wonder Wayne
Speedy Hee

ARFC was really determined to produce a good show to thank all the supporters for their unwavering support through these years and especially in 2010 when ARFC suffered its worst defeat in its illustrious history.

All starting-11 warriors were really fired up and also for fear of being replaced quickly by the substitutes’ bench where one look at the composition would send fears down the spines of any opponents including the best teams in the world now - Barcelona and Liverpool.

Guoxiong was appointed match-day captain for him to redeem himself.

ARFC served its intent as early as the 7th min. Derrick, who was constantly fouled throughout the match, played in Alvin who cleverly eluded the opposing defenders and faced their keeper. Everyone in the stadia was also preparing to celebrate but Alvin’s outside-right foot shot unfortunately rebounded off the post. Real unlucky!

Once again, Kenny and Derrick created so much havoc down both flanks but ARFC was unable to capitalize on the chances that came their way.

Jinzhong then showed the fans that he had not lost his sharpness despite his long lay-off when he got down very fast ala Pepe Reina to smoother a through ball and was kicked by the opponent. Thankfully, nothing severe came out of it.

Tze Ern and En Dian then replaced Soon and Alvin respectively. Shortly after, Haron and Tjioe came in for Blackburn and Sebastian respectively. Ron then joined the fray when he took over Toh.

ARFC finally drew first blood in the 27th min. Kenny and Haron combined to great effect down the left flank which saw Kenny sped down the bye-line to deliver a low square ball into the penalty area. Haron pressured their keeper and the ball fell loose. En Dian followed up and laid the ball for the on-rushing Derrick who expertly arched his body to thunder in a right foot shot that saw the ball laced the net like Dirk Kuyt’s goal. Fantastic strike and a good combination play by ARFC! This was Derrick’s 30th ARFC goal and ARFC’s 1170th goal since inception.

Half-time 1-0.

The half saw several reshuffles with Kenny, Derrick and Elvis taking a well-deserved rest.

Just 7 mins into the half, ARFC doubled its lead. Soon chipped in a superb ball down the left flank and in came En Dian who dashed in from deep and eluded the offside trap. En Dian then looked up and crossed in for Haron to tap into the empty net for his 163th ARFC goal. Yet another fantastic build-up goal from ARFC! 2-0

Alvin also produced a snap shot that hit the side-netting.

ARFC put the result beyond doubt in the 57th min. Again, En Dian was the architect when he sent in a cross from the left flank and amidst the chaos in the penalty area, Haron pop up to prod the ball over the line for his 164th ARFC goal. 3-0

En Dian nearly chalked up another assist when he again broke clear at the left flank. His low square ball was deliberately dummied by Haron and the ball rolled to the unmarked Derrick on the right. Just when the world is expecting a goal, Derrick inexplicably side-footed the ball into the side-netting! Amazing miss!

However, Derrick made amends for his incredible miss when he wiggled his way down the right flank and squared to Haron who completed his hat-trick with his 165th ARFC goal. 4-0

Haron’s hat-trick also fulfilled his promise to his fellow subs in the 1st half that he would net a hat-trick!!

Mins before the end, the opponents pulled a goal back. 4-1

This was possibly the best match that ARFC has produced in 2010. A near-flawless performance capped by 4 great goals, good passing and fabulous movements. Every warrior did very very well and all supported each other superbly.

But quite obviously, En Dian is the Man-of-the-Match with his 3 assists and enterprising runs down the flanks.

Statistics of 2010 + through the years

Dear ARFC warriors:

These are the stats:

2010: P (36), W (21), D (3), L (14), GF (121), GA (73)

Through the years: P (328), W (208), D (48), L (74), GF (1173), GA (586)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Friendly match - 26 December 2010

Friendy match details:

26 December 2010 (Boxing Day) - Sunday
3 pm = 1500 hrs
1st Toa Payoh SS (artificial pitch)

Please bring both colours.

Please e-mail Sebastian of your availability.

10-warrior ARFC secures passage to round of 16 in D2D Cup...

In the D2D Cup round of 32 knock-out match at Tanjong Katong SS, ARFC put in a gritty performance to grind out a 2-0 victory despite playing almost the entire 2nd half with 10 warriors.

The win was witnessed by the 77,777 fans which of course included Anna and Tracie, WAG of Elvis and Guoxiong respectively.

ARFC started with this 4-4-2 line-up:

Keeper: Chun Haw
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong (captain)
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Steely Tze Ern
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Nippy Kenny
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Speedy Hee

Subs:

Unbeatable Darren (late)
Dynamic Soon (early but went to take jersey when match starting)
En Dian
Jason (Alvin’s friend)

Absent:

Dependable Jinzhong
Sublime Khim
Combative Ron
Hard-man Tjioe
Long-throw specialist Norman
Wonder Wayne

The ground was where ARFC suffered its worst defeat in its illustrious history and ARFC had also never won on the ground. Hence, all warriors were determined to reverse this unwanted record.

ARFC had the upper hand from the match go and was largely due to Hee, Kenny and Derrick who drew many fouls.

Hence it was no surprise that ARFC took the lead in the 7th min. Sebastian’s corner was poorly taken but fortunately the ball rebounded back to him. His low return into the crowded penalty area caused mayhem and under string pressure from Toh, their defender inexplicably turned the ball into his own net and past their despairing keeper. 1-0 and this was the 22nd own goals conceded by ARFC’s opponents.

By now, Kenny and Derrick were having a field day down both flanks. Hee also did well to pressure their defenders.

7 mins after the goal, ARFC could have doubled its lead. Hee received Derrick’s ball from the right flank and managed to hold off their defender. Hearing a call from Sebastian coming from deep, Hee laid the ball nicely but Sebastian side-footed the ball over the bar.

7 mins later, Derrick was fouled yet again. Kenny stood over the ball and his venomous curling shot was just 0.77 inches over the bar. Unlucky!

Jason then replaced the tiring Alvin with Derrick moving forward to partner Hee. Mins later, soon also took over Tze Ern.

ARFC then turned complacent and allowed opponents into the match. However, ARFC’s famed defence, marshaled ably by Elvis, held firm.

En Dian then replaced Hee and couple of mins later, Toh had an awkward fall and was replaced by Darren.

In the 2nd half, Tze Ern, Alvin and Toh took over Sebastian, Derrick and Blackburn respectively.

Tragedy struck less than 7 mins from the re-start. Captain of the day Guoxiong, who had just being booked 77 seconds earlier, retaliated after an entangle with the opponent. He was duly shown the red card.

Soon then moved over to right-back with En Dian dropping deep to provide cover at centre mid.

Playing with 10 warriors and with the young and energetic opponents, it was no surprise that ARFC was on the back foot for almost the entire 2nd half. Again, ARFC’s defence with strong cover provided by Tze Ern, kept the opponents at bay. Kenny also contributed greatly with some recovery runs to aid Darren at left-back.

ARFC nearly conceded an equalizer but the talented Chun Haw came to the rescue when he produced a world-class one-on-one save to turn the low shot over the bar. Wonderful goal-keeping!

Sebastian then nearly gifted the opponent the equalizer when his hesitation allowed the striker in but he fired over the bar. For that, Sebastian was given the hair-dryer treatment by Elvis… J

With less than 7 mins remaining, ARFC scored a break-away goal to secure the victory. The ball was played out from the back by Elvis to Darren who then passed to Soon. Soon passed to Sebastian at the middle and Sebastian then drilled a long through ball down the right flank for Hee. Hee did very well to beat their left-back and squared across for Alvin who could have taken a 1st-time shot. Instead, Alvin stopped the ball and with a quick swivel, turned the defender and spotted En Dian running in from left side. Alvin then served the ball on a platter to En Dian who then gleefully fired past the keeper for his 7th ARFC goal. 2-0 and what a wonderful build-up goal by ARFC ala Barcelona (current) and Liverpool (in the 80s).

This was really a match where team-work did the work especially after Guoxiong’s dismissal. All warriors put in a determined performance. ARFC’s defence stood tall, Kenny and Derrick did most damage down the flanks, Soon and Tze Ern provided much industry and steel and Hee was relentless in his pressuring.

Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Elvis and En Dian.

Monday, December 13, 2010

D2D round of 32 Cup match

19 December 2010 (Sun)
3 pm = 1500 hrs
Tanjong Katong Sec Sch
Opponent is Unido FC

Please bring both colours.

Please e-mail Sebastian of your availability.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Tze Ern nets debut goal in 4-2 loss

In an evenly-matched friendly at Tampines SAFRA, ARFC put in a good shift but was undone by an unprecedented 2 own goals to eventually go down 2-4 to its opponent.

The loss was witnessed by the 77,777 fans which of course included Anna, wife of Elvis

ARFC started with this 4-5-1 line-up:

Keeper: Chun Haw
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Steely Tze Ern
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (captain)

Subs:

Long-throw specialist Norman
Wayne
Nippy Kenny
Jason (Alvin’s friend)

ARFC welcomed back Haron from his intensive 3-week overseas training in Nepal and he was made captain of the day.

In the opening exchanges, ARFC knew that they would be in for a tough match when the opponents created a couple of chances. However, Chun Haw, the super-impressive 14 year-old keeper, came to the rescue with his top-notch saves.

ARFC then conceded a goal in the 17th min. 0-1.

Barely 7 mins later, ARFC drew level when Derrick released Haron down the right flank. Showing much-improved speed, Haron sped to the right bye-line and flashed a shot across goal. The ball looked to be safely picked up by their keeper but to their horror, he spilled the ball and turned it into the net! 1-1 now and this was the 21st own goals conceded by ARFC’s opponents all these years.

ARFC took the lead in the 27th min. The move started from our right-back position when Guoxiong dispossessed their skillful left winger and laid the Khim. With a quick swivel, Khim prodded the ball through and in came Tze Ern, who again put in an impressive display, from deep and galloped down the left side. Their keeper dashed out and tried to intercept the ball but Tze Ern was always first to the ball. Without hesitating, Tze Ern chipped the ball with his left foot and the ball sailed over their keeper and nestled nicely into the empty net. 2-1 and this was Tze Ern’s debut goal for ARFC.

The score stayed at 2-1 at half-time.

By now, it was clear to all that ARFC was tiring whereas the opponents still had many subs. They drew level when Guoxiong conceded an unfortunate own goal as he tried to clear the ball with a slide but only diverted the goal into our net. 2-2

ARFC conjured up a couple of chances and Kenny was particularly impressive but could not get into the score-sheet. Kenny also drew the most fouls as the opponents recognized his threat.

In the 67th min, ARFC went behind when Khim also scored an own goal. 2-3.

Alvin then missed some great chances when his first touch let him down.

In the 77th min, ARFC conceded another goal after failing to clear a corner. 2-4.

This was a match whereby I was happy with our display even though we lost the match. But it is no shame as the opponents are also a decent team. All warriors did well, including Blackburn.