Christmas came early for Team Kangtao when ARFC gifted them 4 goals and at the same time spurned a host of chances to eventually settle for a 4-4 draw in front of 77, 777 fans including fervent supporter Anna.
The attendance for this match was really good though ARFC was dealt a crushing blow when Dani Alves-like Guoxiong pulled out during warm-up with a strained hamstring and unstable ankle. To hide his disappointment and to prevent other ARFC warriors from seeing him cry, he made the painful decision to leave the field and headed for Bishan Park to cry and look at babes running their dogs.
ARFC started with this 4-4-2 line-up:
Keeper: Brenden
Right-back: Unbeatable Darren
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Wonder Wayne
Right-mid: Steely Tze Ern
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Combative Ron
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (captain)
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Subs:
Powerful Alvin
Dynamic Soon
Talisman Derrick
Yao Yang (guest player)
Marauding Guoxiong (pulled out before match)
Absent:
Speedy Hee
Long-throw specialist Norman
Hard-man Tjioe
Dependable Jinzhong
Precocious En Dian
Nippy Kenny
Tragedy struck ARFC within 1.77 mins. After a turn, Tze Ern aggravated his already-fragile ankle and had to leave the field with Derrick coming in. To Tze Ern’s credit, he stayed on to support the team.
In the 7th min, ARFC nearly opened the scoring when Haron wriggled his way in the penalty box and created a shooting chance. Unfortunately, his shot struck the right upright and bounced out to safety. Unlucky miss but what a skill!
Things turned double agony for ARFC when they scored from a free-kick after Brenden misjudged the ball. 0-1.
To ARFC’s credit, all warriors did not give up and were very determined to find an equalizer. In the 17th min, Alvin, having just replaced Blackburn, was released by Haron but he somehow shot wide when it was easier to score.
From Alvin’s corner, Toh headed just 0.77 mm over the bar.
ARFC finally equalized in the 37th min after Derrick turned back the years with a delicious run down the right flank. He then won and kept the ball at the by-line before squaring the ball across for Alvin to gleefully slot the ball home for his 144th ARFC goal. 1-1
Unfortunately, tragedy struck ARFC again when another mistake allowed them to score. 1-2 at half-time.
Just 7 mins into the half, a rare Sebastian mistake allowed them to pull further ahead. 1-3
Alvin missed another 2 chances but the good thing is that at least he is getting into good scoring positions.
ARFC lessened the deficit courtesy of Haron. From Darren’s missile-like throw-in, the ball bounced over the entire defence and Sebastian made amends by running to right side position and lofted the ball back into the 6-yard area. In a flash, Haron executed a Robin van Persie-like kick when he acrobatically slammed the ball home for his 171st ARFC goal. 2-3 now.
ARFC equalized for the 2nd time in the match in the 77th min. From Alvin’s pressure, their defender cleared the ball which somehow hit another defender which saw the ball ended up in the net. Comical goal and it was the 25th own goal conceded by ARFC’s opponents. 3-3
Yet another mistake saw the opponents scored again to take the lead. 3-4.
ARFC was not outdone and equalised for the 3rd time in the match with a classic goal from the much-maligned Blackburn. Alvin did well to trick his way down the left by-line and passed to Blackburn. In his usual laid-back style, Blackburn shaped to shoot but tricked their defender before curling the ball home for his 96th ARFC. 4-4.
ARFC could have snatched the winner when Khim met Sebastian’s corner with a very powerful header that was somehow kept out by their keeper.
This was a strange match where ARFC played Santa Claus by gifting them all the 4 goals. To ARFC’s credit, no warriors let their heads dropped and instead all were focused in getting goals back. With better luck and finishing, ARFC could have run out easy winners.
I want to pay special mention to the good attendance yet again.
Also, Brenden is still very new to us and he is not a keeper by training. He is simply helping us to fill the keeper position. Yes, we are disappointed by the manner in which the goals were conceded, but let’s not point the finger at Brenden. My stand is clear – you can stand in between the sticks if you want to and think you can do a better job for ARFC. By the way, Brenden also made 2 good saves in the match.
Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Haron, Derrick and Darren though Elvis led the line very well.
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