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.
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