Roberto Carlos-like Darren inspires ARFC victory

In a performance that reminded the whole world of a certain Roberto Carlos in his prime years, Darren put in an inspiring and whole-hearted display to propel ARFC to a 3-0 victory over a tough CCFC.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper        -        Talented Chun Haw

Right-back  -        Marauding Guoxiong

Sweeper      -        Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Stopper      -        Towering Toh

Left-back    -        Jasper

Left-mid      -        Unbeatable Darren

Centre-mid  -        Unpredictable Blackburn

Centre-mid  -        Alex

Right-mid   -        Talisman Derrick

Striker        -        Powerful Alvin (captain)

Striker        -        Weili

Sub:

Speedy Hee (late)

Absent:

Dynamic Soon (present but did not play due to leg injury)

Dependable Jinzhong

Combative Ron

Sublime Khim

Wonder Wayne

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Long-throw specialist Norman

Mean-machine Hock

Steely Tze Ern

Hard-man Tjioe

Influential Sebastian

Precocious En Dian

Nippy Kenny

With such a long list of absentees especially almost all the regular midfielders, any other team would have given up. Not ARFC though, as the young guest warriors like Alex and Weili stepped up their game, and Blackburn also turned back the years with a decent performance. Of course, Darren was instrumental as he totally monopolized the entire left side of the field.

Starting with 3 young players, it was no surprise that the opponent sought to take advantage with their physical strength.  However, ARFC did very well to contain their attacks, particularly Darren who frequently tracked back to assist the inexperienced but enthusiastic Jasper.

The first half did not spring up any clear-cut chances for ARFC due to the lack of creativity from the absent centre midfielders. Hee then replaced Weili with 15 mins to go to inject some pace but to no avail.

The half ended 0-0 though ARFC would have strewn up the match if the attendance is better.

For the second-half, stand-ip managers Elvis and Toh decided to add more grit and speed in midfield by playing Hee at left-mid and Weili in centre mid. Alex then took a breather.

The move paid handsome dividends about 15 mins into the re-start. Weili received a brilliant through-ball from Darren at the left, showed his skills by slaloming his way past 2 defenders and then fired in a rasping shot that hit the underside of the bar past the gasping keeper for his debut ARFC goal. 1-0!

The break-through goal brought relief and belief to ARFC that a win is achievable and within mins, ARFC scored another goal. Derrick, who also put in a decent shift, won a corner on the right. Blackburn delivered a delicious ball into  the box and who else but Toh who dashed in and thumped the ball home with his forehead beyond the outstretched hand of the keeper for his 56^th ARFC goal. 2-0.

With a 2-goal lead, ARFC played disciplined football and limited the opponents to almost no chances at goal. Alex then came in for Weili to beef up the midfield.

With 15 seconds to go, ARFC wrapped up the match with yet another header goal from Toh.  ARFC won a free-kick on the left and Blackburn whipped in a pin-point cross for Toh, who escaped his marker, to dive in and nod the ball into the net. The header was also powerful that the keeper could not keep out despite getting his hands to the ball. 3-0 and it was Toh’s 57th ARFC goal.

Man-of-the-Match goes to Darren.

Special mention to Guoxiong for soldiering on the entire match despite sustaining a sprained wrist midway into the 2^nd half.

Special mention to Soon for turning up and support despite carrying a leg injury.

Special mention to all who have contributed to the clean sheet.