ARFC continues winning start in 2011

In match against the SJI Alumni at the magnificent artificial pitch at Catholic Junior College, ARFC continued its unbeaten run in 2011 with a well-taken 2-0 victory in front of 77,777 fans which included Anna, Tracie and Irene, WAGS of Elvis, Guoxiong and Alvin respectively.

Prior to the start, ARFC was hit with the last-min withdrawal of stand-in keeper, Chun Haw. Thankfully, Derrick volunteered to be the 1st half keeper.

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

Keeper: Talisman Derrick
Right-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Wonder Wayne
Right-mid: Marauding Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Hard-man Tjioe
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Dynamic Soon
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Speedy Hee (captain)

Subs:

Precocious En Dian
Sublime Khim
Combative Ron
Steely Tze Ern

Absent:

Dependable Jinzhong
Talented Chun Haw
Unbeatable Darren
Nippy Kenny
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Long-throw specialist Norman


ARFC was quicker off the blocks and dominated proceedings in the opening exchange. Tjioe worked particularly hard to close down the opponents while Guoxiong was having a field day down the right flank.
ARFC took the lead in the 17th min. Hee was fouled near the left touch-line and Sebastian stepped up to take the free-kick. As the opponents were expecting the ball to be aimed at jumpers like Toh, Tjioe and En Dian, Sebastian’s laser-like ball found the head of the on-rushing Soon who simply needed to glance the ball in for his 34th ARFC goal. 1-0.

ARFC nearly took the lead just 7 mins later. From Guoxiong’s right flank cross, Alvin flicked on the ball which found En Dian at the left side. Bringing the ball down, En Dian unleashed a powerful volley which their impressive keeper could only parry out. The ball went loose to the right side and Guoxiong immediately dashed in and side-footed the ball goal-wards. The whole world was expecting a goal and even Guoxiong was ready to celebrate but their keeper miraculously recovered from his diving position to push the ball out for a corner. A world-class save which was to be matched by Ron’ save later in the 2nd half.

Alvin also nearly ended his 7-match goal-scoring drought when Hee release him with an exquisite ball and Alvin duly thumped the ball home. Unfortunately, the referee correctly ruled out the goal for off-side.

Disaster struck ARFC soon. En Dian challenged for a loose ball but collapsed in a heap as he activated an old left-knee injury and had to be carried out. (Note: I have checked with him last night and so far there is no fracture, dislocation or brokage.)

Ron. Having replaced Toh earlier, then fired high and wide from Alvin’s neat lay-off.

Half-time 1-0

In the 2nd half, Ron took over the keeper’s position.

Strangely enough, ARFC’s performance in the opening 20 mins of the 2nd half was atrocious and was repeatedly pegged back. Once again, Elvis, much aided by Toh, led the defence well.

In the 57th min, Derrick put Alvin through on goal but the latter’s touch was a tad too heavy and their keeper managed to smoother his shot.

In the 67th min, Khim executed a Xavi-like through ball when in a sliding position, he played in a nice low rolling ball for Hee to run from deep. The pace of Khim’s ball was really precise and world-class but Hee was brought down outside the box. Amazingly, the referee did not dismiss their defender. From the free-kick, Derrick spurned the chance when he tried to play a quick free-kick but Alvin was caught off-side.

The moment then arrived for Ron to produce a Pepe Reina save. The opponent powered in a low shot that looked destined for the bottom left corner. Ron belied his age (and belly) when he quickly got down well to parry the ball out and before they can follow-up, Ron quickly got up from his lying position and hold the ball. Totally world-class which David Lee would be very proud of.

ARFC finally scored its 2nd goal in the match. Blackburn’s corner was floated high into the air in the 6-yard area. Toh steadied himself and before his head even connected the ball, everybody in the world was already expecting a goal. True enough, Toh’s forehead obliged and powered in for his 45th ARFC goal. 2-0.

Toh’s goal also brought him level with Khim at joint-9th position in the ARFC all-time scorers’ list. Just for information, the top-5 scorers are:

(i) Haron – 167 goals;
(ii) Alvin – 133 goals;
(iii) Blackburn – 94 goals;
(iv) Hee – 80 goals; and
(v) Sebastian – 76 goals.

Man-of-the-Match jointly goes to Elvis, Hee and Ron.