ARFC in disappointing 1-1 draw

Playing for the first time at the very big field besides Commonwealth MRT Station, ARFC was held to a 1-1 draw by IW.

Prior to the match, Brenden did ARFC a huge favour by volunteering to be the keeper as both stalwarts Jinzhong and How Meng were unavailable.  Special thanks to him.

Also, special shout-out to Soon for turning up despite his grueling running session in the morning, but chose not to play. Fantastic role model in terms of dedication to ARFC!

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper             -           Brenden

Right-back       -           Marauding Guoxiong

Sweeper           -           Unpredictable Blackburn

Stopper           -           Towering Toh  

Left-back         -           Roy

Left-mid          -           Speedy Hee  

Centre-mid       -           Influential Sebastian  

Centre-mid       -           Hard-man Tjioe  

Right-mid         -           Nippy Kenny

Striker              -           Powerful Alvin

Striker              -           Wonder Wayne  

             

Subs:

Unbeatable Darren (late)

Combative Ron (late)

Talisman Derrick (late)

Skillful Weilit

Resolute Jasper

Dynamic Soon (present but did not play)

Absent:

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis  

Sublime Khim  

Composed Jackson

Impeccable How Meng

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Steely Tze Ern 

Dependable Jinzhong

Talented Chun Haw

Mean-machine Hock

Long-throw specialist Norman

Precocious En Dian

ARFC was in total control of the match in the initial proceedings with some clever passes and slick movement. However, the bumpy pitch did ARFC no favours and the opponents were able to neutralize ARFC’s threats. In addition, the inept referee allowed the opponents to get away with nasty fouls on so many occasions which disrupted ARFC’s rhythm and flow.

In the 7^th min, Guoxiong galloped down the right flank and swung in an inch-perfect cross ala Gary Neville in his prime years, and with no one marking, Alvin headed just 77 mm wide!

ARFC opened the scoring in the17th min when Guoxiong and Wayne combined at the right which saw Alvin bursting through down the right bye-line.  Alvin’s cross was hit to the danger zone in the 6-yard area and under heavy pressure from Tjioe, who had made a run for the high ball, their defender inexplicably headed past his own keeper! 1-0 and it was the 30^th own goal by ARFC’s opponents since 1991.

Alvin’s free-kick was then hit just slightly over the bar.

ARFC could not add on to the score-line and wasted some chances.

In the 2^nd half, ARFC continued to be wasteful in front of goal and was duly punished by the opponents. 1-1

Despite throwing 4 forwards (Kenny, Alvin, Wayne and Hee) in the later stages, ARFC could not grab the winning goal and had to settle for a 1-1 draw. In fact, ARFC was lucky not to taste defeat as the opponents hit the bar twice in the match.

Man-of-the-Match is given to Sebastian for working tirelessly and producing some through passes for the forwards which were not capitalised.

  

Khim reaches 50-goal milestone!

Courtesy of an inspired Man-of-the-Match performance from How Meng, ARFC strolled to a 4-1 victory in a friendly match played at Boon Lay SS.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper             -           Impeccable How Meng

Right-back       -           Marauding Guoxiong

Sweeper           -           Composed Jackson

Stopper                        -           Towering Toh  

Left-back         -           Unbeatable Darren

Left-mid          -           Sublime Khim  

Centre-mid       -           Combative Ron

Centre-mid       -           Dynamic Soon

Right-mid         -           Speedy Hee  

Striker              -           Powerful Alvin

Striker              -           Unpredictable Blackburn

             

Subs:

Talisman Derrick  

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis  

Wonder Wayne  

Skillful Weilit

Absent:

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Influential Sebastian

Steely Tze Ern  

Nippy Kenny

Hard-man Tjioe

Dependable Jinzhong

Talented Chun Haw

Mean-machine Hock

Long-throw specialist Norman

Precocious En Dian

Resolute Jasper

Roy

ARFC controlled proceedings all the way and it came as no surprise when ARFC opened the scoring in the 10^th min. Khim exchanged one-two with Blackburn and duly placed the ball home for his 50^th ARFC goal. 1-0.

Khim’s goal sparked off wild celebrations from the substitutes and ‘live’ audience world-wide as he finally reached 50 goals for ARFC though his assist ration is probably the best amongst ARFC warriors.

ARFC doubled its lead 10 mins later. Ron came from deep ala Paul Scholes, exchanged one-two with Soon, and scored his 7^th ARFC goal. 2-0

In the 30^th min, off a weak clearance from their keeper, Blackburn whipped the ball in from almost the half-way line that sailed over their keeper into the empty net. 3-0 and this was Blackburn’s 123^rd ARFC goal.

In the 70^th min, Hee wriggled in down the left flank and despite under intense pressure from their defender, Hee kept the ball to his feet, went past 3 defenders and shot the ball home for his 88^th ARFC goal. 4-0

How Meng then showed his mettle when he produced about 4 to 5 one-on-one saves. Simply brilliant!

ARFC then conceded a goal. 4-1

Man-of-the-Match goes to How Meng.

Speaking to ARFC.tv after the match, Khim was beeming with pride and with happy tears strolling down his face, he paid tribute to his wife, Brenda, and 2 children, Dylan and Dylis:

“I am truly privileged to notch up 50 goals for ARFC which is made possible by all the wonderful warriors all these years. Most importantly, I am really blessed to have my lovely wife and children for supporting me nicely all this while I am on the field.  Now I’m looking forward to the day when I score my 100^th goal for ARFC!”

Haron heeded govt's call to boost its dismal fertility rate...

Dear ARFC warriors,

On behalf of ARFC, I wish to congratulate Haron for becoming a 2nd-time father....

His son, Ariq, was born weighing 2.8 kg.

Currently, Haron's lovely and beautiful wife Su, and handsome son are nestled nicely at the former Eastshore Hospital...

For those who are planning to visit them, pls do take note of the expected huge traffic jam since Haron has got 99,999 fans in Woodlands area alone....

Cheers!!


Sebastian

Haron's pristine double could not give ARFC victory

In a friendly match played under African desert-like temperature at CJC, ARFC could not defend a 2-goal lead and had to settle for a 2-2 draw against the impressive SJI Alumni team.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper             -           Impeccable How Meng

Right-back       -           Composed Jackson

Sweeper           -           Astute-reading sweeper Elvis  

Stopper             -           Towering Toh  

Left-back         -           Unpredictable Blackburn

Left-mid          -           Speedy Hee  

Centre-mid       -           Combative Ron

Centre-mid       -           Steely Tze Ern  

Centre-mid       -           Marauding Guoxiong

Right-mid         -           Talisman Derrick  

Striker              -           Powerful Alvin

             

Subs:

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Dynamic Soon

Influential Sebastian

Wonder Wayne  

Skillful Weilit

Resolute Jasper

Roy (guest player)

Ah Long (guest player)

Absent:

Nippy Kenny

Hard-man Tjioe

Sublime Khim  

Unbeatable Darren

Dependable Jinzhong

Talented Chun Haw

Mean-machine Hock

Long-throw specialist Norman

Precocious En Dian

ARFC was initially pegged back by the opponents who started the match brightly. However, ARFC’s defence marshaled by the superb Elvis stood firm.

With a lone forward in Alvin, ARFC could not lend sufficient support whenever ARFC is attacking.

In the 20^th min, Haron and Sebastian came in for Hee and Ron respectively.

ARFC took the lead after Alvin was fouled about 27 metres outside the box. Haron signaled his intention to take the direct free-kick and he justified it with a sublime free-kick which he lifted nonchalantly over the wall and nestled nicely into the net. 1-0 and this was his 185^th ARFC goal.

ARFC doubled its lead 7 mins later. The ball was worked from left to Sebastian at the centre who spread the ball out wide right to the over-lapping Jasper. Without breaking his stride, Jasper sent in a high hanging ball ala Gary Neville (at his prime) into the box. The ball was half-cleared by their defence and was picked up by the lurking Haron. Trapping the ball expertly (similar to Matthew Le Tissier), Haron produced a stinging volley that almost bulged the net to beat their despairing keeper. This goal was almost similar to Steven Gerrard’s last-grasp goal in the 2005 FA Cup final against West Ham Utd. 2-0 and this was Haron’s 186^th ARFC goal.

With the brace, Haron is closing in on Alvin (191 goals) and hopefully, both of them will reach 200 goals in the (future) same match!!

In the 2^nd half, ARFC conceded 2 goals in almost quick succession. 2-2

Haron also came close to scoring his hat-trick but his free-kick from 37 metres flew just 0.77 cm wide.

ARFC almost grabbed a late winner when Alvin’s free-kick from the right almost found the head of both Toh (who did not connect) and then Haron who dashed in from the far-side before their keeper push the ball away. Unlucky!

Man-of-the-Match goes to Soon though I must say both Jasper and new-boy Roy did very well too.