Playing under cool weather on the Tampines SAFRA artificial pitch, ARFC maintained its 100% in 2011 with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Yahoo! In front of 77,777 fans which included Irene (Alvin’s beau), Lingzhi (Ron’s wife) and Soon’s daughter.
Once again, Derrick kindly agreed to be keeper for 1st half.
ARFC started with this 4-4-2 line-up:
Keeper: Talisman Derrick
Right-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Sweeper: Adrian Quek (guest player)
Stopper: Combative Ron
Left-back: Wonder Wayne
Right-mid: Steely Tze Ern
Centre-mid: Hard-man Tjioe
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Nippy Kenny
Striker: Powerful Alvin (captain)
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Subs:
Towering Toh (late)
Dynamic Soon (late)
Long-throw specialist Norman (late)
Absent:
Dependable Jinzhong
Unbeatable Darren
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Marauding Guoxiong
Speedy Hee
Precocious En Dian
Sublime Khim
Talented Chun Haw
ARFC dominated proceedings in the opening 17 mins with Alvin, Kenny and Haron particularly impressive. Just 7 mins into the match and with the fans still trickling into the stadia, ARFC fired the first salvo courtesy of Haron. Alvin’s wonderful dipping corner to the near post saw Haron somehow just dipped his head low and connected the ball which beat their keeper at the near post! An amazing goal which Tim Cahill would very proud of! 1-0 and this was Haron’s 168th ARFC goal.
Haron could have easily netted a hat-trick within 17 mins. In quick succession, he fired narrowly (just 0.77 mm from the post) wide on both occasions after being put through on goal.
ARFC then somehow conceded a goal. 1-1
ARFC regained the lead 7 mins later. Kenny’s ball saw Alvin speeding down the left flank all the way into the penalty box and Haron also arrived at the far post at the same time. Looking up, Alvin squared the ball across but before the ball could reach Haron, their defender thumped the ball into his own net. 2-1 and this was the 23rd own goals conceded by ARFC’s opponents.
ARFC could have put the result beyond doubt when yet another Alvin’s laser-like corner looked to be met by Toh. Happening probably for the 1st time, Toh somehow missed connecting but the ball fell kindly to Haron who was just 0.77 mm out from the 6-yard box. With their keeper already gone walk-about, Haron sliced his shot and was cleared on the line by their defender. Unlucky!
Tze Ern was next to miss when his header from Blackburn’s corner flew 1.77 mm wide.
ARFC quickly made amends when within 7 mins from the re-start, it scored its 3rd goal in the match. Tjioe, who again impressed, send in a long diagonal ball to the left flank which saw Soon breaking their off-side trap. Bringing the ball forward, Soon faced their keeper and easily dispatched the ball past him for his 35th ARFC goal. After his goal, Soon immediately sprinted to his daughter and gave her 77 kisses. 3-1 now.
The opponents then pulled a goal back 3-2.
Blackburn then turned back the clock 10 years back when he made a lung-bursting run from almost his right back position all the way to the right flank and earned a corner! Amazing feat for the oldest ARFC warrior!!
Mins later, Blackburn was brought down in the box but the referee waved away the appeals.
ARFC was then down to 10 warriors after Tjioe was given his marching orders in the 70th min after chalking up 2 yellow cards. Though it was just a friendly, the opponents did NOT sportingly ask ARFC to restore to 11 warriors as the usual practice in friendly matches.
Alvin was then left upfront alone with Kenny switching to left flank.
However, ARFC showed its resolve and every warrior pulled together and defended stoutly.
Haron repeated Ron’s heroics in the previous match when he dived full length ala Pepe Reina to push a venomous shot for a corner. World-class save!
In the 77th min, ARFC buried the match when their defender tried to clear the ball but only succeeded in kicking it to Alvin. Accepting the invitation gleefully, Alvin powered in a shot with this outside right foot to net his 134th ARFC goal. 4-2. As with Soon, Alvin also dashed straight to his wife Irene and gave her 77 kisses.
This was a team effort and every warrior played their hearts and guts out. All were impressive but my Man-of-the-Match jointly goes to Blackburn (who really played like a demon possessed) and Alvin (for his relentless effort in closing down their defenders, his goal and his 2 assists).
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