In a title-deciding league match against Jaw SC, ARFC put up a gallant showing but was not enough to prevent a demoralizing 1-4 defeat in front of a packed 77,777 audience at AMK SS.
ARFC received a huge boost when Jinzhong announced his availability to play keeper. Special credit to Darren for also turning up despite having a big worry hanging over his head on his child’s illness.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh (captain)
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Hard-man Tjioe
Left-mid: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Speedy Hee
Subs:
Influential Sebastian
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Talented Chun Haw
Steely Tze Ern (late)
Absent:
Wonder Wayne
Sublime Khim
Long-throw specialist Norman
Combative Ron
Precocious En Dian
Nippy Kenny
It was clear from the start that Jaws SC was the hungrier side and they took shots from distance as and when given the chance. However, the shots were not threatening enough.
ARFC fired the 1st warning shot when Blackburn’s long ball found Derrick lurking on the right. Instinctively, Derrick produced a stinging volley that missed the target narrowly!
Jaws SC’s best chance came in the 7th min when their free-kick bent round the wall and looked to end up in the net. However, Jinzhong had other ideas and he produced a flying diving save to push the ball out for a corner. World-class save ala Edwin van de Sar.
Guoxiong and Derrick were doing fine containing their threat down the left flank with Guoxiong producing several well-timed sliding tackles. Tjioe also chipped in with several great intercepts.
It was also clear that Jaws SC was looking to win penalties when several of their players went down easily in the box despite not being touched by ARFC warriors.
Jinzhong was twice brutally fouled by their forwards but the referee simply kept a blind eye.
Over at the other end, Blackburn conjured up several missile diagonal long balls that were well-received by Alvin but he was always closely shackled by at least 2 defenders as they had already identified Alvin as the danger man.
Hee also did very well in chasing and closing down on the opponents and he caused such a nuisance that he was subjected to a Nigel de Jong-like karate kick against Alonso in the 2010 World Cup final and has 3 stud marks to show on his chest.
Darren’s long throws were also a huge threat but ARFC could not capitalize on them.
ARFC then conceded a goal. 0-1
Tze Ern then replaced the out-of-sorts Soon with Chun Haw and Haron soon in action by taking over from Derrick and Hee respectively.
ARFC fought back and Haron was really unfortunate when his header struck the cross-bar. Sebastian then took over from the combative Tjioe.
ARFC then conceded another goal. 0-2
In the 2nd half, ARFC came out with all guns blazing and Derrick was particularly impressive with his trickery on the right wing.
7 mins into the re-start, Derrick dribbled his way past 2 defenders and he was clumsily brought down by their defender, giving the referee the easiest of decision to award a penalty. Sebastian handed over the penalty-taking duty to Haron who nonchalantly stroked the ball home, sending their keeper the wrong way, for his 176th ARFC goal. 1-2
ARFC was now in ascendency and threatened to find an equalizer. From Sebastian’s corner, the ball was lasered to Haron who looked to score with a header but their keeper just managed to push the ball away.
Alvin again powered his way back the left flank but could not get a nice footing in.
Tragedy struck soon when ARFC conceded a soft goal to give them a 3-1 lead.
ARFC did not allow the set-back to rattle them and from Blackburn’s brilliant long high ball, Hee only managed to produce a weak header that was easily picked up by their keeper.
Tempers began to flare with some ARFC warriors being the more guilty parties. Luckily, credit to both teams for keeping the affected players away from the scenes.
From Sebastian’s reverse ball, Hee found acres of space down the left flank but his first touch was too heavy and the chance was lost.
With almost everyone committing to attack, ARFC was always prone to counter-attack and true enough, ARFC let in another goal. 1-4
Their keeper soon resorted to theatrics and twice sought treatment for “mysterious injuries”. This is really uncalled for and probably the only black spot that spoilt Jaws SC’s performance as Jaws SC had displayed true sportsmanship during the match. For that, they are the deserving winners.
Man-of-the-Match is Blackburn with Hee and Tze Ern coming close. I also want to praise Toh for soldiering on despite nursing a back stomache before and during the match.
Lastly, let’s keep up the good attendance once again.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
League Match - 29 Jan 2012
29 Jan 2012 (Sun)
5 pm = 1700 hrs
AMK Sec Sch (artificial pitch)
Opponent is Jaws SC
5 pm = 1700 hrs
AMK Sec Sch (artificial pitch)
Opponent is Jaws SC
Friday, January 20, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Tjioe powered ARFC's 4-0 win
ARFC continued its winning start after chalking up a comprehensive 4-0 win over YVFC at the brand-new artificial pitch at Crescent Girls Sec Sch in front of 777 screaming fans who are all upper secondary students of the school.
Probably due to the presence of the girls, ARFC warriors could not get their game going and the general performance was patchy at best. Despite the subdued performance, ARFC still did enough to score 4 goals.
Prior to the match, regular right-back Guoxiong was surprisingly dropped in favour of Blackburn. However, The New Paper journalists found out the reason was to give Guoxiong more time to talk and give autographs to the girl students there.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Hard-man Tjioe
Left-mid: Dynamic Soon
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Wonder Wayne (captain)
Subs:
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Marauding Guoxiong
Speedy Hee
Absent:
Steely Tze Ern
Sublime Khim
Long-throw specialist Norman
Combative Ron
Precocious En Dian
Nippy Kenny
Talented Chun Haw
ARFC was really affected by the hot weather and the screaming fans but still dominated play with Tjioe in the thick of most action.
ARFC took the lead after a clever inter-change of play. Derrick played the ball to Alvin who returned the ball to him. Wayne showed great awareness when he did not go after the ball as he was already in the off-side position. Derrick broke through and calmly slotted the ball under the diving keeper. Soon ran in and touched the ball in but the referee had already blew for a goal. 1-0 and it was Derrick’s 48th ARFC goal which put him level on Khim.
ARFC had a huge scare when they struck the cross-bar.
ARFC doubled its lead with Alvin again the creator. Receiving the ball, Alvin put it through and in came Soon who dashed in and before their keeper could react, he reached the ball and the ball rolled quickly into the net for his 38th ARFC goal! 2-0
Hee, Guoxiong and Haron then came on for Sebastian, Darren and Wayne respectively.
Derrick then turned creator when he provided a slide-rule pass for Haron to latch on. With a great first touch, Haron glided into the box before finishing with much aplomb for his 175th ARFC goal. 3-0
ARFC then turned complacent again and nearly conceded a goal on a couple of occasions. To shore things up at the back, Wayne and Darren replaced Blackburn and Elvis to provide some bite.
In the 2nd half, ARFC really struggled to string 3 passes together though chances were created. Haron put the ball over the bar after being put through by Sebastian while Hee rushed his shot too much.
Toh then took a vicious cannot shot on his head but being Towering Toh, he stood tall and was totally unaffected.
Alvin finally put the icing on the cake with a late goal from a world-class team goal. The ball was passed to Darren at left-back who then played the ball to Blackburn’s feet just outside the box. With a clever reverse pass, Blackburn tricked their defender and the ball found its way to Derrick on the right wing. Taking the ball inwards, Derrick shaped to shoot but instead squared the ball across. Alvin then gleefully swooped in and swept the ball home for his 158th ARFC goal. 4-0 and this was a goal that reminded all of the great Liverpool team in the 80s and the current Barcelona team.
Man-of-the Match is clearly Tjioe though I must say that Derrick, Alvin and Elvis came very close.
Probably due to the presence of the girls, ARFC warriors could not get their game going and the general performance was patchy at best. Despite the subdued performance, ARFC still did enough to score 4 goals.
Prior to the match, regular right-back Guoxiong was surprisingly dropped in favour of Blackburn. However, The New Paper journalists found out the reason was to give Guoxiong more time to talk and give autographs to the girl students there.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Hard-man Tjioe
Left-mid: Dynamic Soon
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: Wonder Wayne (captain)
Subs:
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Marauding Guoxiong
Speedy Hee
Absent:
Steely Tze Ern
Sublime Khim
Long-throw specialist Norman
Combative Ron
Precocious En Dian
Nippy Kenny
Talented Chun Haw
ARFC was really affected by the hot weather and the screaming fans but still dominated play with Tjioe in the thick of most action.
ARFC took the lead after a clever inter-change of play. Derrick played the ball to Alvin who returned the ball to him. Wayne showed great awareness when he did not go after the ball as he was already in the off-side position. Derrick broke through and calmly slotted the ball under the diving keeper. Soon ran in and touched the ball in but the referee had already blew for a goal. 1-0 and it was Derrick’s 48th ARFC goal which put him level on Khim.
ARFC had a huge scare when they struck the cross-bar.
ARFC doubled its lead with Alvin again the creator. Receiving the ball, Alvin put it through and in came Soon who dashed in and before their keeper could react, he reached the ball and the ball rolled quickly into the net for his 38th ARFC goal! 2-0
Hee, Guoxiong and Haron then came on for Sebastian, Darren and Wayne respectively.
Derrick then turned creator when he provided a slide-rule pass for Haron to latch on. With a great first touch, Haron glided into the box before finishing with much aplomb for his 175th ARFC goal. 3-0
ARFC then turned complacent again and nearly conceded a goal on a couple of occasions. To shore things up at the back, Wayne and Darren replaced Blackburn and Elvis to provide some bite.
In the 2nd half, ARFC really struggled to string 3 passes together though chances were created. Haron put the ball over the bar after being put through by Sebastian while Hee rushed his shot too much.
Toh then took a vicious cannot shot on his head but being Towering Toh, he stood tall and was totally unaffected.
Alvin finally put the icing on the cake with a late goal from a world-class team goal. The ball was passed to Darren at left-back who then played the ball to Blackburn’s feet just outside the box. With a clever reverse pass, Blackburn tricked their defender and the ball found its way to Derrick on the right wing. Taking the ball inwards, Derrick shaped to shoot but instead squared the ball across. Alvin then gleefully swooped in and swept the ball home for his 158th ARFC goal. 4-0 and this was a goal that reminded all of the great Liverpool team in the 80s and the current Barcelona team.
Man-of-the Match is clearly Tjioe though I must say that Derrick, Alvin and Elvis came very close.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
League Match - 15 Jan 2012
15 Jan 2012 (Sun)
3 pm = 1500 hrs
Crescent Girls' Sec Sch (artificial pitch)
Opponent is YVFC
3 pm = 1500 hrs
Crescent Girls' Sec Sch (artificial pitch)
Opponent is YVFC
Match on 08 Jan rained off
Due to heavy rain which leads to unplayable pitch, the match on 08 Jan 2012 was called off.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
League Results as at 03 Jan 2012
Casanova XI - Lost 3-5
Team Buffalo - Won 6-2
Casanova XI - Drew 2-2
Flamengo FC - Won 3-1
Jaws SC - Won 1-0
Team Buffalo - Won 3-1
Liverland FC - Won 5-4
Unido FC - Won 4-1
Liverland FC Won 2-1
Won 7
Drew 1
Lost 1
GF 29
GA 17
GD +12
Team Buffalo - Won 6-2
Casanova XI - Drew 2-2
Flamengo FC - Won 3-1
Jaws SC - Won 1-0
Team Buffalo - Won 3-1
Liverland FC - Won 5-4
Unido FC - Won 4-1
Liverland FC Won 2-1
Won 7
Drew 1
Lost 1
GF 29
GA 17
GD +12
League Match - 08 Jan 2012
08 Jan 2012 (Sun)
5 pm = 1700 hrs
Jun Yuan Sec Sch @ Tampines Street 84
Opponent is YVFC
5 pm = 1700 hrs
Jun Yuan Sec Sch @ Tampines Street 84
Opponent is YVFC
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
ARFC off to winning start in 2012
ARFC got off to a winning start in 2012 after overcoming a determined Liverland FC 2-1 at bedok Green Sec Sch courtesy of a late winning goal from Soon. The victory was witness by Anna and Tracie, WAGs of Elvis and Guoxiong respectively.
Incidentally, ARFC had also got off to a winning start in 2011 with the same score-line, a 2-1 win over The OC with a brace from Haron.
Special mention to Tze Ern who turned up after being conferred a 7-star General by MINDEF. Unfortunately, he was not fielded as he forgot to bring his contact lenses.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong
Sweeper: Unpredictable Blackburn
Stopper: Hard-man Tjioe
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Long-throw specialist Norman
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Speedy Hee
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (captain)
Subs:
Talisman Derrick (late)
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis (late)
Powerful Alvin (late)
Steely Tze Ern (but not fielded)
Absent:
Wonder Wayne
Towering Toh
Combative Ron
Precocious En Dian
Nippy Kenny
Talented Chun Haw
ARFC clearly had the upper hand but was unable to convert its early chances. Particularly, Hee was just slightly late (despite his world-renowned speed) in meeting Haron’s square ball across the 6-yard box.
Alvin and Derrick then came on for Hee and Norman respectively.
Within mins of coming on, Alvin powered his way down the left flank and crossed the ball in. The ball flew over everybody to reach Derrick who came charging in from the right flank. He attempted a volley but failed to connect but the ball fell kindly to him. He then slided the ball across to Haron but the latter just failed to get a clean connection and the ball trickled out.
ARFC took the lead in the 27th min. Alvin’s well-floated corner was met by Derrick who despite the challenge of their big keeper, managed to glanced home for his 47th ARFC goal. 1-0
Elvis then replaced Sebastian with Blackburn moving up to centre mid to partner Soon. Hee also came on for Khim who requested to be substituted.
Despite having almost nothing to do in the 1st half, Jinzhong was still alert and this was evidenced by his brilliant save towards the end of the half. Their striker broker through and looked to score but was thwarted by Jinzhong’s superb save with his legs ala Edwin van da Sar.
In the 2nd half, ARFC continued to dominate proceedings but was let down by some poor finishing. Haron had a fantastic chance when he made his way down the right side and his stinging volley was just 0.77 inches over the bar.
Haron had an even better chance mins later. Sebastian’s long and high diagonal to the left wing was latched on perfectly by Khim who first-timed the ball into the penalty area near the penalty spot. Haron ran in and the whole stadium and live audience throughout the world were already anticipating a goal but Haron inexplicably fired the ball to row Z!! Unfortunate miss but what great awareness and positioning.
Khim then wriggled his way inwards but his shot for the top corner was clawed away by their impressive keeper. Unlucky!
Alvin also showed his might when he chased down a couple of through balls but was unable to find a shooting chance.
The opponent then scored from a break-away chance. 1-1
Soon had an excellent chance to restore ARFC’s lead when he was put clean through by both Khim and Blackburn. Facing their keeper one-on-one inside the box, Soon somehow drilled his shot about 1.77 metres wide!
After relentless pressure, ARFC finally secured the victory with a late goal from Soon. Sebastian’s corner was met by Derrick (who seemed to inherit Toh’s heading prowess) and the ball was trapped by Soon who was standing in front of their keeper inside the 6-yard box. Instinctively, Soon executed a sharp turn and put the ball into the net for his 37th ARFC goal! 2-1
For this match, total credit must be given to Tjioe who gamely played the stopper position without complaint and subsequently put in a colossal performance ala Nemanja Vidic! For this, he is given the Man-of-the-Match award though Elvis, Soon and Khim all came close.
Incidentally, ARFC had also got off to a winning start in 2011 with the same score-line, a 2-1 win over The OC with a brace from Haron.
Special mention to Tze Ern who turned up after being conferred a 7-star General by MINDEF. Unfortunately, he was not fielded as he forgot to bring his contact lenses.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Guoxiong
Sweeper: Unpredictable Blackburn
Stopper: Hard-man Tjioe
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Long-throw specialist Norman
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Speedy Hee
Striker: ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (captain)
Subs:
Talisman Derrick (late)
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis (late)
Powerful Alvin (late)
Steely Tze Ern (but not fielded)
Absent:
Wonder Wayne
Towering Toh
Combative Ron
Precocious En Dian
Nippy Kenny
Talented Chun Haw
ARFC clearly had the upper hand but was unable to convert its early chances. Particularly, Hee was just slightly late (despite his world-renowned speed) in meeting Haron’s square ball across the 6-yard box.
Alvin and Derrick then came on for Hee and Norman respectively.
Within mins of coming on, Alvin powered his way down the left flank and crossed the ball in. The ball flew over everybody to reach Derrick who came charging in from the right flank. He attempted a volley but failed to connect but the ball fell kindly to him. He then slided the ball across to Haron but the latter just failed to get a clean connection and the ball trickled out.
ARFC took the lead in the 27th min. Alvin’s well-floated corner was met by Derrick who despite the challenge of their big keeper, managed to glanced home for his 47th ARFC goal. 1-0
Elvis then replaced Sebastian with Blackburn moving up to centre mid to partner Soon. Hee also came on for Khim who requested to be substituted.
Despite having almost nothing to do in the 1st half, Jinzhong was still alert and this was evidenced by his brilliant save towards the end of the half. Their striker broker through and looked to score but was thwarted by Jinzhong’s superb save with his legs ala Edwin van da Sar.
In the 2nd half, ARFC continued to dominate proceedings but was let down by some poor finishing. Haron had a fantastic chance when he made his way down the right side and his stinging volley was just 0.77 inches over the bar.
Haron had an even better chance mins later. Sebastian’s long and high diagonal to the left wing was latched on perfectly by Khim who first-timed the ball into the penalty area near the penalty spot. Haron ran in and the whole stadium and live audience throughout the world were already anticipating a goal but Haron inexplicably fired the ball to row Z!! Unfortunate miss but what great awareness and positioning.
Khim then wriggled his way inwards but his shot for the top corner was clawed away by their impressive keeper. Unlucky!
Alvin also showed his might when he chased down a couple of through balls but was unable to find a shooting chance.
The opponent then scored from a break-away chance. 1-1
Soon had an excellent chance to restore ARFC’s lead when he was put clean through by both Khim and Blackburn. Facing their keeper one-on-one inside the box, Soon somehow drilled his shot about 1.77 metres wide!
After relentless pressure, ARFC finally secured the victory with a late goal from Soon. Sebastian’s corner was met by Derrick (who seemed to inherit Toh’s heading prowess) and the ball was trapped by Soon who was standing in front of their keeper inside the 6-yard box. Instinctively, Soon executed a sharp turn and put the ball into the net for his 37th ARFC goal! 2-1
For this match, total credit must be given to Tjioe who gamely played the stopper position without complaint and subsequently put in a colossal performance ala Nemanja Vidic! For this, he is given the Man-of-the-Match award though Elvis, Soon and Khim all came close.
Stats of ARFC in year 2011
Played - 34
Win - 21
Draw - 4
Loss - 9
GF - 107
GA - 69
Top 5 scorers in 2011:
Alvin (24 goals)
Derrick (16 goals)
Blackburn (13 goals)
Haron and Toh (9 goals)
Win - 21
Draw - 4
Loss - 9
GF - 107
GA - 69
Top 5 scorers in 2011:
Alvin (24 goals)
Derrick (16 goals)
Blackburn (13 goals)
Haron and Toh (9 goals)
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