Soon scored ARFC 2nd-fastest goal in shock 4-5 loss

Despite the presence of Khim, arguably ARFC’s best player of all time, ARFC somehow succumbed to a surprise 4-5 defeat to Vivala Paris at the brand-new pristine artificial pitch at Pasir Ris Crest SS.

ARFC was supported by Melissa, Hee’s beau, who turned up to support despite carrying an ankle injury. Surely a prime candidate for ARFC Supporter of 2014!

Ismail’s lovely family also braved the heat by turning up!

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - Commanding Ismail

Right-back - Marauding Guoxiong

Sweeper - Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Stopper - Towering Toh

Left-back - Sublime Khim

Left-mid - Speedy Hee

Centre-mid - Influential Sebastian (captain)

Centre-mid - Dynamic Soon

Right-mid - Talisman Derrick

Striker - Powerful Alvin

Striker - Nippy Kenny  

Subs:

Unpredictable Blackburn

Combative Ron (late)

Steely Tze Ern (late)

Indra (guest player)

Absent:

Impeccable How Meng

Hard-man Tjioe

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Unbeatable Darren

Dependable Jinzhong

Wonder Wayne

Booming Boon

ARFC made a flying start when a goal came after only 5 ARFC warriors touched the ball. Alvin and Kenny kicked off the match which saw the ball passed to Sebastian who chipped the ball down the right. The left-back headed back and Soon picked up the ball. Passing the ball down the right to Derrick, Soon continued his foray into the box. Derrick squared in a low ball and Soon arrived from deep to duly sweep the ball home! 1-0 and this was Soon’s 58^th ARFC goal.

The referee later said that it took only 33 seconds for Soon’s goal which is the 2^nd-fastest goal in ARFC’s history.

The fastest goal was scored by Alvin (about 17 seconds!!) in a land-slide 7-0 victory over Yellow Submarine on 11 Sep 2008.

ARFC continued it fiery start when Alvin poked the ball through to Kenny whose fierce shot rattled the cross-bar and almost broke it! Unlucky…

From the counter-attack, the opponents equalized. 1-1

Kenny’s bad luck continued when his under-hit shot squirmed past their keeper but bounced off the left post.

From Sebastian’s corner, Toh headed the ball back across goal but no one was there to capitalize.

Sebastian then executed a no-look pass into Alvin’s path but their defender made a superb recovery to block off Alvin.

From another counter-attack, the opponents scored. 1-2

Alvin was then sent off after collecting his second yellow in the match. Sportingly, the opponents allowed ARFC to make a substitution but would not allow Alvin from playing a further part in the match.

Kenny’s fortune finally took a turn when he scored. Blackburn showed supreme vision when his perfectly-weighted grounder pierced right into the heart of the defence and Kenny took a great first touch before lifting the ball over their keeper for his 36^th ARFC goal. 2-2

Sebastian then left at half-time for a family event.

In the 2^nd half, ARFC continued its relentless attack which reaped dividends after Blackburn chalked up another assist for Derrick to score his 83^rd ARFC goal. 3-2

With this goal, Derrick has now scored in the 6^th successive match!

However, the record is still being held by Alvin who netted in 9^th consecutive matches in 2008!

Things got better for ARFC. From a loose ball, Indra, who had such an impressive match but was not eligible for the votes, arrived from deep and without breaking his stride, repeated Steve Nicol’s 1986 league goal when he leashed in a world-class half-volley that had goal screaming all the way. True enough, the ball bulleted through a sea of defenders to hit the top left-hand corner! Brilliant and this was Indra’s 2^nd ARFC goal. 4-2

Ron was then sent off for committing a professional foul after he brutally hacked their midfielder to pieces after the latter had breached the entire defence and headed for goal.

Surprisingly, ARFC suffered a melt-down and conceded 2 penalties and a late goal to lose 4-5.

Voting results:

Derrick – 10

Soon – 9

Tze Ern – 9

Khim – 3

Kenny – 3

Blackburn – 2

Ismail – 2

Guoxiong – 2

Hee – 1

Elvis – 1