Inspiring team performance paved the way to 5-2 victory

Playing its first night match in 2013, ARFC put in a high-octane performance to suffocate its opponent, Bedok Police FC, 5-2.  

The match also witnessed the appearance of ARFC’s first-ever right-back Boon, who went MIA for 7 years.

Special credit to both Darren and Chun How for volunteering to be keeper for each half.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper           -           Unbeatable Darren

Right-back     -           Resolute Jasper

Sweeper         -           Unpredictable Blackburn

Stopper          -           Towering Toh

Left-back       -           Marauding Guoxiong

Left-mid         -           Skillful Weilit

Centre-mid    -           Dynamic Soon

Centre-mid    -           Influential Sebastian

Right-mid      -           Talisman Derrick

Striker                        -           ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Striker                        -           Talented Chun Haw  

             

Subs:

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis (late)

Speedy Hee (late)

Powerful Alvin (no boots till late in first half)

Composed Jackson (came but did not play)

Booming Boon

Victor (guest player)

Ryan (guest player)

Absent:

Wonder Wayne  

Steely Tze Ern

Combative Ron

Impeccable How Meng

Nippy Kenny

Dependable Jinzhong

Earl

Hard-man Tjioe

Sublime Khim

ARFC quickly gained control upon kick-off. Particularly, Weilit was very impressive with his mazy dribbles down the left flank.

In the 17^th min, ARFC took the lead after Chun Haw cleverly won a free-kick out on the left. Before taking the free-kick, Sebastian already exchanged eye-signals with Haron. Playing his 2^nd match in successive days, Sebastian showed no signs of fatigue when he lasered in a high ball all the way to the far post for Haron to come in from deep to powered-head the ball with a flying header ala Juergen Klinsmann for his 190^th ARFC goal. 1-0

Hee then took over from Sebastian, with Chun Haw moving back to centre mid.

Chun Haw then showed his class when he received the ball at the left, spotted Derrick calling for the ball from right, and immediately threaded a diagonal low ball. Derrick’s first touch was heavy and nearly lost the ball to their covering defender and keeper but somehow, Derrick gave a last-min burst and prodded the ball home for his 66^th ARFC goal. 2-0.

Ryan then took over from Derrick, Elvis from Soon, Victor from Toh, Boon from Jasper.

ARFC then conceded a goal. 2-1

Alvin’s boots finally arrived and he took over from Blackburn.

Ryan then created a golden opportunity when his right wing cross eluded every opponent and landed right at the feet of Alvin, who was totally, absolutely and completely unmarked in the 6-yard area! Faced with their keeper who was shocked till rooted on the ground, Alvin inexplicably fired wide!!

Derrick then replaced Weilit who signalled for change. Alas, tragedy soon struck when Derrick was kicked from behind and injured his right knee.

ARFC quickly regained its 2-goal margin after a series of wall passes. Guoxiong passed to Blackburn and continued his run, Blackburn then passed to Ryan who, after spotted Guoxiong’s run, quickly passed the ball in. Without breaking his stride, Guoxiong thumped home his 16^th ARFC goal. 3-1 and this was also Guoxiong’s first goal for ARFC in 2013.

Blackburn then spurned a golden chance when he beat their keeper. But faced with an gaping goal, Blackburn chose to square the ball to Ryan who was also free in the 6-yard area. Due to a combination of a soft pass and Ryan’s shockness, the ball was cleared away by their covering defender.

The opponents then scored from a quick break-away. 3-2

Weilit then finally justified his ARFC nick-name when he produced a mazy dribble to weave past 4 defenders to rifle in his 3^rd ARFC goal. World-class goal ala Neymar.   4-2 and this was also Weilit’s first ARFC goal in 2013.

Toh then suffered a nasty cut at his right eye-brow area after a clash of heads.

By now, the opponents were totally deflated and ARFC continued to harass and close down space non-stop. From one such move, Blackburn galloped down the left flank and swung in a vicious cross. Before the ball reach Hee, Guoxiong was heard shouting ‘MELISSA’ and inspired by the name, Hee came from blind side to sweep home a thunderous volley alas Robin van Persie for his 90^th ARFC goal. 5-2 and MELISSA has indeed done wonders to Hee.

Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Weilit and Soon.  However, what is most heartening is the great teamwork and play by all warriors tonight.

Jasper also deserved special mention for his 6-7 overlapping runs from right-back, while Boon lasted more than 7 mins!