Darren make comeback in easy 4-0 triump

In a friendly match played under Sahara desert-like weather at Tampines SAFRA, ARFC strolled to a comfortable 4-0 victory against its opponents.

The victory was witnessed by the 1st-ever appearance of Sebastian’s daughter, Kaizaree Jade-Eden Tan, at ARFC’s matches, and wife Caren. ARFC’s sponsor, Andrew, who is also the god-father of Kaizaree Jade-Eden Tan, had wanted to come but could not make it due to last-min business meetings.

Derrick’s “ai-ai” was also present to give Derrick a boost. Prior to the match, both of them were spotted sharing a meal in his car in a romantic setting.

Due to a spate of overseas travels for ARFC warriors, ARFC called up a unprecedented xxx guest players. Thankfully, Khim appeared and what was significant was also the re-appearance of Darren after his injury in Feb 2011. Darren’s presence sparked 77 rounds of Mexican waves from the fans.

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

Keeper: Ariff (guest player)
Right-back: Unbeatable Darren
Sweeper: Unpredictable Blackburn (captain)
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Larry (guest player)
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Hard-man Tjioe
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Yao Yang (guest player)

Subs:

Wonder Wayne
Steely Tze Ern
Min Sheng (Guest player)
Troy (guest player)
Leon (guest player)

Absent:

Long-throw specialist Norman
Dynamic Soon
Combative Ron
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Marauding Guoxiong
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Dependable Jinzhong
Precocious En Dian
Speedy Hee
Nippy Kenny
Talented Chun Haw

Right from the referee’s whistle, ARFC was quick to show its intent by pressing for an early goal.

In the 7th min, Sebastian’s long direct ball saw Alvin bursting clear but somehow he hurried his shot even though their defenders were at least 27 metres away. Wasted chance!

Moments later, Alvin again squandered a chance when out clear, evoking loud dismissive shouts from Blackburn.

ARFC finally opened the scoring in the 17th min. Tjioe was put through by Darren and brought the ball al the way into the penalty box. However, he scuffed his shot and the ball looked to be headed out for a goal-kick when Alvin came from nowhere to retrieve the ball near the left touch-line. Alvin looked up and squared the ball across and Tjioe then gleefully and gratefully tucked the ball home for his 57th ARFC goal! Tjioe’s goal also ended his near 9-month goal drought and incidentally, his last goal for ARFC was also at Tampines SAFRA on 25 July 2010.

ARFC quickly doubled its lead thanks to Alvin’s precise corner. Alvin’s corner was swung in beautifully from the left and Khim rose to “brush” his forehead against the ball which then spun and somehow found its way past their keeper and into the net for his 47th ARFC goal! 2-0 now.

With a 2-goal lead, ARFC unleashed all 5 substitutes with Sebastian, Tjioe, Alvin, Larry and Yao Yang making way.

ARFC got its 3rd goal in the 27th min. Derrick, who had a field day marauding down the right flank, brought the ball inwards towards the centre circle. Hearing a shout from Wayne, Derrick executed a outside right foot flick and there was Wayne coming in from deep and faced their keeper on a one-to-one situation. Showing signs of a seasoned striker, Wayne carefully picked his spot when he expertly placed his shot with his left foot ala Ryan Giggs past their keeper for his 2nd ARFC goal. 3-0!

Leon was also totally unlucky when he struck the woodwork twice in the space of 7 mins.

In the 2nd half, the opponents improved but were kept at bay thanks to superb defending led by Toh. Particularly, Darren showed the fans what ARFC has been missing with his unbeatable defending.

Despite being inactive for virtually the whole match, Ariff showed that he did not slack when he produced a top-draw save. From a venomous shot from their impressive short left winger that looked to be a goal, Ariff got down sharply and quickly to turn the ball out for a corner, a save that Pepe Reina, Gary Bailey, Neville Southall and Dino Zoff used to produce.

From Sebastian’s cut-back, Tjioe drilled the ball narrowly wide.

Blackburn, who played as striker midway through the 2nd half, then played punk. Released by Tze Ern, Blackburn was totally free in the box. Instead shooting past their keeper. Blackburn stopped the ball, flicked the ball up and attempted to lift the ball up and past their keeper. His attempt failed miserably as their keeper managed to pluck the ball from the air. Blackburn’s attempt was then greeted with disgusting disapproval shouts from the ARFC warriors and fans alike.

Alvin finally ended his 3-match barren spell in the 77th min. Yao Yang, who again produced yet another impressive outing, released him with a Xabi Alonso-like through ball. Alvin faced their left-alone keeper, tricked him to commit, wrong-footed him and then walked the ball into the net for his 139th ARFC goal. Wonderful and cool finish. 4-0

Just for information, Alvin’s 139 goals are still 30 goal shy of Haron’s record of 169 goals for ARFC.

Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Tze Ern (for always doing all the dirty work for the team) and Alvin (for his 2 assists and 1 goal).

Friendly match at Tampines SAFRA this sunday (24 Apr 2011)

24 April 2011 (Sun)
3 pm = 1500 hrs
Tampines SAFRA

Pls bring both colours.

Pls e-mail Sebastian of your availability.

Thanks.

Walk-over to Team BI due to shortage of players

Dear ARFC warriors,

Due to very very poor response, I have informed organiser that we will give a walk-over this sunday.

Hence, no match this sunday.

Once again, I would like to appeal to all to let me know your availability as soon as possible. Otherwise, it puts me in a very difficult position to inform organiser so late in the week that we cannot play. A little bit of co-operation from you would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

League match details

17 April 2011 (Sun)
3 pm = 1500 hrs
Pei Hwa Sec Sch

Opponent is Team BI.

Pls bring both colours.

Pls e-mail Sebastian of your availability.

Match against Samalongkok called off

The match against Samalongkok was called off mid-way through the second half. At that time, ARFC was leading 1-0 thanks to Blackburn's expertly-converted penalty.

The match will be replayed at another date.

3rd League Match details

10 April 2011 (Sun)
3 pm = 1500 hrs
North Vista Sec Sch (located at junction of Punggol Road and Sengkang East Ave)

Opponent is Samalongkok

Pls bring both colours.

ARFC in unlucky draw

In its D2D League 2nd match, ARFC was really unlucky not to notch a victory over the formidable The OC when it squandered a host of chances to draw 1-1 in front of 77,777 fans which included Anna at MacPherson SS.

Prior to the match, Tjioe withdrew due to high fever and tonjilsjiyltollis on Saturday night (I also don’t know what is that but sounds like the stupid Greek Liverpool defender’s name). Worst to come was when Jinzhong pulled out on Sunday at around noon time, citing work commitment. Luckily, we managed to call up 3 guest players, Raymond, Sze Meng and Yao Yang.

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

Keeper: Sze Meng (guest player)
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Combative Ron
Right-mid: Long-throw specialist Norman
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Raymond (guest player)
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn (captain)

Subs:

Wonder Wayne
Yao Yang (guest player)

Absent:

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Dependable Jinzhong
Hard-man Tjioe
Precocious En Dian
Unbeatable Darren
Sublime Khim
Speedy Hee
Nippy Kenny
Talisman Derrick
Steely Tze Ern
Talented Chun Haw

Credit must be given to Wayne who turned up early and despite nursing a high fever.

ARFC was quickest off the blocks and was powered by Raymond’s incisive runs down the left flank which their right back could not handled.

ARFC could have opened the scoring in the 7th min after some good work down the left flank by Raymond and Alvin. The ball rolled to the centre just outside the box and hearing a shout from Blackburn, Soon dummied the ball but Blackburn shot hit row Z.

7 mins later, off Sebastian’s corner, Raymond connected with a powerful header but their defender cleared off the line. Unlucky!

7 mins later, Raymond repeated the act. From Alvin’s corner, Raymond again rose like a fish and headed powerfully towards the top right-hand corner. Just when the whole stadium is expecting a goal, their keeper produced a top-draw save to push the ball out for a corner. Totally unlucky!

From their first shot, The OC opened the scoring in the 27th min. 0-1

ARFC could have equalized mins later. From a quick counter-attack, Blackburn laid the ball nicely for Soon in the box but Soon also shot into row Z, sparking furious reaction from Blackburn.

Just mins before the end of 1st half, Blackburn lofted the ball into the 6-yard box where Alvin tried to execute a stooping header but failed to connect. In hindsight, Alvin could have just steered the ball using his foot.

In the 2nd half, Ron volunteered to be keeper and Sze Meng took over the left-back position with Yao Yang at left mid and Raymond moved in to partner Sebastian as Soon was carrying a minor knee injury. Wayne moved up to join Blackburn in attack.

Sze Meng and Yao Yang combined very well at the left side and thereby easing the team.

Wayne then conjured up a chance but could not take it.

Raymond and Yao Yang then combined down the left and from the cross, Blackburn and Wayne both dummied which saw the ball rolled nicely into the path of Norman. However, Norman could not connect the ball well enough and produced a weak shot which was easily gathered by their keeper.

ARFC finally got its reward with 7 mins left on the clock. From Norman’s corner, Toh flicked the ball on and there was the unmarked Raymond who was determined to score with his header with his 3rd chance. He jerked his body back, summoned all his 777 neck muscles and headed the ball powerfully into the net for his 4th ARFC goal. 1-1

I think this is a match where ARFC played very well despite some limitations in terms of players.

Special credit must be given to Elvis’ defence of Toh, Guoxiong, Ron, Sze Meng and Sebastian (replaced Elvis when he went off injured) who constantly kept the opponents at bay.

Man-of-the-Match is given to Blackburn though I must say Raymond came close.