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).
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