Under-strength ARFC out-classed and crashed out of D2D Cup

In the D2D Cup quarter-final match, an under-strength ARFC was out-classed 2-6 by Luchas Locos at Bedok Green SS in front of 77,777 fans which included 3 babes – Anna, Su and Afiqah.

The loss also saw an end of ARFC’s 7-match unbeaten streak in 2011.

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

Keeper: Guest keeper Michael
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong (captain)
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Combative Ron
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Hard-man Tjioe
Left-mid: Steely Tze Ern
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Wonder Wayne
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Absent:

Towering Toh
Precocious En Dian
Unbeatable Darren
Long-throw specialist Norman
Dependable Jinzhong
Sublime Khim
Speedy Hee
Nippy Kenny
Talented Chun Haw

Things got off to a worst possible start when ARFC conceded a goal after just 7 mins.

To its credit, ARFC did not give up and equalized 7 mins later. Guoxiong was brutally hacked down when he tried to embark his trade-mark over-lapping run on the right. From the free-kick, Sebastian’s ball was hit high into the 6-yard area. Under pressure from a host of ARFC warriors like Tjioe, Ron, Derrick and Alvin, their keeper fumbled and spilled the ball into his own net for the 24th own goal to ARFC. 1-1

Wayne then took over Blackburn’s position at left back. Haron also replaced the injured Soon.

ARFC then fell behind again. 1-2.

Things started turning tragic when ARFC conceded another 2 goals to go down 1-4 at half-time.

In the 2nd half, Soon replaced Sebastian after the latter suffered a slight twist to his left ankle.

In the 2nd half, ARFC played much better. In the 57th min, Haron combined effectively with Alvin but the latter shot wide.

Blackburn then put Alvin clean through with a clever quickly-taken free-kick but again Alvin shot wide.

ARFC then concede another 2 goals. 1-6.

Michael then made 2 world-class saves.

Mins before the end, Michael threw a quick ball to Derrick who was standing at the mid right flank area. Spotting their keeper off his line, Derrick unleashed a swinging volley which saw the ball sailed over their keeper for his 33rd ARFC foal. 2-6

Derrick’s goal was similar to David Beckham’s 1997 goal against Crystal Palace which launched his stardom. Hopefully, Derrick will also go on to be as famous as Beckham.

Man-of-the-Match is Tze Ern though Ron and Guoxiong stood out too.

From this match, it was clear that ARFC missed Speedy Hee’s constant harassing of defenders. Also, Darren was a BIG miss as our left-back position was hopelessly and haplessly exposed time and again especially in the 1st half. Last but not least, ARFC really needs a keeper who can commit to the team.