ARFC in yet another lacklustre showing

In an inconsequential match against Flamengo FC, ARFC put up an uninspiring display in the 1-1 draw at the very big field at Chestnut Drive Sec Sch.

Thankfully for ARFC, Ron and Derrick made last-min appearances to make it just 11 warriors for the match.
ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Talented Chun Haw
Right-back: Combative Ron
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unbeatable Darren
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Wonder Wayne
Striker: Speedy Hee
Subs:

Nil

Absent:

Steely Tze Ern
ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
Hard-man Tjioe
Powerful Alvin
Marauding Guoxiong
Dependable Jinzhong
Sublime Khim
Long-throw specialist Norman
Precocious En Dian
Nippy Kenny

ARFC could not really get its engine  going and struggled to create decent chances though both Wayne and Hee worked their socks off closing down the opponents. Over at the defence, Ron and Darren worked extremely hard at shutting down their wingers.

In the 17th min, Sebastian’s corner was met by Toh who just sent his powerful header wide.

ARFC then conceded a goal. 0-1

ARFC soon drew level when the impressive Derrick was clumsily brought down in the top right-hand edge of the penalty box. Designated penalty-taker of the day Derrick dusted himself off the ground and drilled his low shot straight down the middle for his 49th ARFC goal. 1-1
His goal also moved him ahead of Khim (48 goals) and level with Jeffrey.

In the 2nd half, ARFC continued its lame display though the defence did extremely well by smothering all threats posed by the opponents. Besides coming up with a few chances, Chun Haw also impressed with his long direct kicks upfield.

Wayne then showcased his footwork when he twice eluded their defenders with successive pull-backs. Unfortunately, he could not get a decent connection on his shot and the chance was lost.
Derrick then wriggled his way down the right flank before crossing the ball which sailed over their defence. Soon dashed in from deep and connected with a powerful header. Unluckily, his header struck the cross-bar and bounced out of danger.

ARFC then had Chun Haw to thank for when he came up with a splendid world-class one-handed save to preserve the draw.

Although a slight improvement from last week’s showing, ARFC was nevertheless lacklustre especially in the final third of the pitch though I think the blame should not be on the forwards as the midfielders did not really do its part to support them.

Perhaps if Alvin was playing, ARFC would fare better as the big field would really play to Alvin’s strength.
Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Ron and Darren.