In the 2nd round of the ESPZEN Cup at the Kallang Practice Track, ARFC could not played to its usual high standard but still managed to grind out a 1-1 draw against Purple Monkey. However, due to the half goal handicap ruling, ARFC crashed out of the ESPZEN Cup.
The draw, witnessed by Anna and Kenny who was still out injured, nevertheless preserved ARFC’s unbeaten streak in 2011 with 6 wins and 1 draw out of 7 matches.
Missing a string of regulars, ARFC took to the field with only 13 warriors of which Hee was late. Once again, Tjioe gamely volunteered to be keeper.
ARFC started with this 4-5-1 line-up:
Keeper: Hard-man Tjioe
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Combative Ron
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Long-throw specialist Norman
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Steely Tze Ern
Left-mid: Talisman Derrick
Striker: Powerful Alvin (captain)
Subs:
Speedy Hee
Unpredictable Blackburn
Nippy Kenny (cannot play due to injury)
Absent:
Towering Toh
Precocious En Dian
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Dependable Jinzhong
Wonder Wayne
Sublime Khim
Talented Chun Haw
ARFC did not warm-up properly and hence it was no surprise that it conceded a quick break-away goal with just 7 mins to the clock. 0-1
ARFC tried to fight its way back but was constantly subjected to niggling fouls by the opponents with Derrick, Hee and Avin the victims.
At the 20th min mark, ARFC reverted to 4-4-2 as Alvin was crowded out with Hee replacing Derrick and Blackburn taking over Sebastian.
In the 2nd half, Derrick gamely took over in goal with Tjioe moving up to centre mid.
Derrick came to ARFC’s rescue on 2 occasions when he made two one-on-one saves. Fantastic!
After much pressing, ARFC finally equalized in the 77th min. Tze Ern won a header at the left mid position and the ball went to Sebastian who switched the ball to Norman on the right. Norman played in Blackburn who was just above the centre circle position on their half. Blackburn then executed a Xavi-like piercing through ball which saw Alvin latching to the ball.
Though under pressure from their defender, Alvin took a quick touch on the ball, move a couple of steps forward and proceeded to rifle the ball into the roof of the net with his outside right foot despite at an acute angle to level the score. World-class goal which was his 138th ARFC goal. 1-1
ARFC then tried to grab the winner but to no avail.
Man-of-the-Match is clearly Ron.
After the match, a mini-tussle broke out and although Darren was playing the peace-keeper, their No. 84 was vicious and wicked enough to hit him on the face an bloodied him in the process as he suffered a deep gash below the right eye and nose was nearly broken.
At the moment, ARFC is contemplating making a police report against the No. 84 of Purple Monkey as the team felt that it was really a malicious and vicious attack on Darren which was really uncalled for.
The only problem for ARFC is always the absence of a keeper as Jinzhong is always injured and Chun Haw is recently also not always available. There may be a need to recruit a keeper who is committed to ARFC.
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