Derrick continues his amazing scoring run with 4-goal salvo in 7-1 win

Coming up against ex-ARFC warrior Eng Lai’s team, Rangers FC, ARFC put in a professional outing to dismiss them 7-1 under a very surprising cool weather at Pasir Ris Crest SS.

ARFC welcomed back Kenny from his 2-week hiatus but he has to settle for a place on the bench.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - Commanding Ismail

Right-back - Marauding Guoxiong

Sweeper - Combative Ron  

Stopper - Dependable Jinzhong

Left-back - Unpredictable Blackburn

Left-mid - Speedy Hee

Centre-mid - Influential Sebastian (captain)

Centre-mid - Dynamic Soon  

Right-mid - Talisman Derrick

Striker - ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Striker - Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Nippy Kenny

Absent:

Unbeatable Darren

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Towering Toh

Wonder Wayne

Steely Tze Ern

Sublime Khim

Impeccable How Meng

Hard-man Tjioe

Booming Boon

It did not take long for ARFC to stamp its superiority on the match. From Hee’s long ball down the left channel, Alvin quickly sped down and cut slightly inwards. Before their right-back could close in, Alvin whipped in a vicious cross with his outside right foot that measured at 377 km/hr.  The ball was so fast that their retreating left-back could not avoid the ball in time and diverted the ball past his bewildered keeper for an own goal.   1-0 and this was the 34^th own goal conceded by ARFC’s opponents.

ARFC doubled its lead with a text-book corner routine. From Sebastian’s floating corner, Derrick showed that there is life after Toh for corner routine when he jumped highest to knock in a header ala Mat Hummels’ goal against Portugal. Their defender tried to clear the ball from under the goal-line but the ball had already crossed the line. 2-0 and this was Derrick’s 91^st ARFC goal.

Incidentally, this goal was also ARFC’s 100^th goal in the year 2014. In addition, Derrick has extended his amazing goal-scoring run to a 13^th consecutive matches!

Haron almost extended ARFC’s lead but from Kenny’s right-wing cross, Haron’s header skimmed the cross-bar. Unlucky!

Hee, Sebastian, Alvin and Soon also came up with shots but could not hit the target.

ARFC then conceded from a corner to lead 2-1 at half-time.

In the 2^nd half, ARFC scored its 3^rd goal in the match. Derrick exchanged a series of wall-passes with Haron before dispatching the ball home from just outside the 6-yard box. 3-1 and this was Derrick’s 92^nd ARFC goal.

Haron was again unlucky when from Sebastian's corner on the right, Haron eluded his marker but unfortunately thumped his header against the cross-bar again! Unlucky!

Derrick soon grabbed his hat-trick. Sebastian’s cross-field ball was hit down the left-hand side and Alvin came in from deep to face their keeper in the box. Alvin's shot was then saved by their keeper but the ball deflected kindly to Derrick who duly side-footed the ball into the empty net. 4-1 and this was Derrick’s 93^rd ARFC goal and 4^th-ever hat-trick for ARFC.

Derrick was not done. Blackburn pinged a long ball from left-back position down the right touch-line. Everybody, including the referee, thought the ball would roll out for a goal-kick. However, Guoxiong had other ideas when he chased the ball, retrieved the ball just before the ball hit the line and squared the ball into the 6-yard box. Derrick was the ultimate beneficiary when he bundled the ball past the keeper’s near-post for his 94^th ARFC goal. 5-1

Derrick’s 4^th hat-tricks saw him chalked up 18 goals. He moved past Sebastian and is now just one goal shy of Hee’s 95 ARFC goals.

Derrick then earned a penalty when he was upended. However, Ismail squandered the chance when he side-footed the spot-kick wide of goal.

Sebastian then got into the scoring act. Receiving a lay-off from Kenny about 37 metres from goal, Sebastian killed the ball with a superb first-touch, looked up and then chipped an exquisite ball ala Matthew Le Tissier that landed nicely at the top right-hand corner of their keeper’s goal, totally catching the keeper out. 6-1 and this was Sebastian’s 93^rd ARFC goal.

Haron finally got things right at the 3rd-time asking when he put the icing on the cake with minutes to go. Guoxiong, who had a dominating display at right-side, chipped the ball across the field and Haron took the ball down brilliantly. Haron allowed the ball to roll across just outside the penalty box which totally confused their defenders. Following the ball and before their keeper could close down, Haron’s deft touch with his inside right foot saw the ball rolled past their keeper and slowly inside the near post with a speed of just 77m/hr for his 211st ARFC goal. 7-1

Ismail then atoned for his penalty miss when he produced a Gordon Banks-like save against Pele when he back-pedalled and tipped the ball, destined for the top right-hand corner, over for a corner kick. Simply world-class save!

Voting results:

Derrick – 9

Guoxiong – 6

Ron – 4

Jinzhong – 4

Alvin – 4

Sebastian – 3

Haron – 2

Soon – 2

Hee – 2

Happy Father's Day

On behalf of ARFC, I would like to wish all fathers (current and ex-warriors) a:

Happy Father Day....

Please do continue to be a slave to your wives and children at home, but continue to play for ARFC for years to come....

In the meantime, have a F@£$*&% good time tonight with your love ones.....


:)

How Meng's colossal defensive performance in 2-1 win

Playing against a tough Esperenza, ARFC dished out a superb first-half performance to eventually triumph 2-1 at Sengkang SS.  As today was Father’s Day, it’s only befitting that both ARFC goals were scored by fathers, Derrick and Guoxiong.

ARFC was supported by Melissa, Hee’s beau.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - Dependable Jinzhong

Right-back - Marauding Guoxiong

Sweeper - Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Stopper - Combative Ron  

Left-back - Unbeatable Darren

Left-mid - Speedy Hee

Centre-mid - Influential Sebastian (captain)

Centre-mid - Dynamic Soon  

Right-mid - Talisman Derrick

Striker - ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Striker - Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Unpredictable Blackburn

Wonder Wayne

Steely Tze Ern

Sublime Khim

Impeccable How Meng

Absent:

Towering Toh

Commanding Ismail

Nippy Kenny

Hard-man Tjioe

Booming Boon

Probably due to watching too much world cup matches ARFC took a while to settle down. However, once ARFC settled down, the football it dishes out was really eye-catching with Haron and Alvin creating havoc at their defence.

ARFC took the lead after Elvis’ long clearance bounced over their sweeper for Alvin to burst clear. With their keeper charging out, Alvin lofted the ball over their keeper for a grateful Derrick who came in from deep and simply nodded the ball into the unguarded net with a stooping header just outside the 6-yard box. 1-0 and this was Derrick’s 90^th ARFC goal.

Derrick’s goal also extended his successive goal-scoring run to 12 matches.

ARFC doubled its lead courtesy of Guoxiong’s determination in closing down their left-back. Guoxiong won the tussle and laid the ball to Blackburn who could have taken a shot as he was unmarked. Living up to his ‘Unpredictable’ nickname, Blackburn puzzled all and sundry when he played the ball back to Guoxiong who was standing 37metres away from goal. Spotting their keeper off his line, Guoxiong showed immerse composure and precision when he lobbed their keeper for his 22^nd ARFC goal. 2-0

Khim then squared the ball out and Sebastian came in from deep to unleash a shot ala Jamie Redknapp from 37 metres out but the ball flew wide.

Darren also impressed with several left-wing crosses which were not capitalized.

ARFC then conceded an unfortunate penalty right on the stroke of half-time to lead 2-1.

In the 2^nd half, ARFC peppered the opponents’ goal with good clean shots coming from Haron, Khim and a few others. Soon also struck the cross-bar with a rocket from distance.

In the middle of the 2^nd half, ARFC ceded the play to the opponents but still managed to hang on for a narrow but well-deserved 2-1 win.

Voting results:

Guoxiong – 14

How Meng – 9

Ron – 7

Soon – 5

Sebastian – 3

Jinzhong – 2

Hee – 2

Derrick – 2

Khim – 2

Darren – 1

Elvis – 1

Elvis' imperious display failed to prevent 3-4 defeat

In a topsy-turvy match played under Qatar-like temperature, ARFC took the lead 3 times yet contrived to lose 3-4 against Pioneer FC at Yio Chu Kang SS.

ARFC was once again watched by Shidah and Aqeel, queen and prince of peasant Ismail respectively.

Derrick was supposed to keep goal but Ismail appeared just 77 seconds before the start of the match. Sebastian hence volunteered to sit out first.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - Commanding Ismail

Right-back - Unbeatable Darren

Sweeper - Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Stopper - Towering Toh

Left-back - Wonder Wayne

Left-mid - Speedy Hee

Centre-mid - Unpredictable Blackburn

Centre-mid - Marauding Guoxiong  

Right-mid - Talisman Derrick

Striker - ARFC Scoring Legend Haron  (captain)

Striker - Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Influential Sebastian

Indra (guest player)

Absent:

Dependable Jinzhong

Nippy Kenny

Dynamic Soon

Combative Ron

Steely Tze Ern

Sublime Khim

Impeccable How Meng

Hard-man Tjioe

Booming Boon

ARFC almost took the lead with its first attack. From Alvin’s cross from the right, Haron arched his back, leaped but flashed his header into the side-netting.

The opponents then took a stranglehold of the match and ARFC had Ismail to thank when he twice clawed away a high ball over him.

Haron and Wayne then made way for Sebastian and Indra respectively, with Darren switching over to left back and Derrick joined Alvin upfront.

ARFC took the lead in the 27^th min. From Darren’s trade-mark throw in, Derrick’s flick the ball on which saw the ball rushed against Blackburn’s head. The ball found its way to the far post where Toh gleefully rifled the ball high into the roof of the net. 1-0 and this was Toh’s 75^th ARFC goal.

Sebastian then threaded a grounder to Alvin who took the wrong option when he fired wide despite having acres of space and time to bring the ball inwards.

In the 2^nd half, Haron came back on. 

ARFC doubled its lead in the 47^th min. Alvin’s corner from the left was cleared back to him. Seizing a second bite of the cherry, Alvin floated in a superb ball and Derrick bulleted a header that sailed over the flying keeper. Unfortunately, the ball struck the left post but fortunately, the ball fell kindly for Haron at the right post. Taking 2 composed steps forward, Haron swooped in and swept the ball into the empty net for his 210^th ARFC goal. 2-0

ARFC looked to be cruising but then conceded a goal shortly. 2-1

The opponents then scored again. 2-2

Regaining its composure, ARFC snatched the lead again. Derrick was fouled near the left touch-line. Sebastian took the free-kick and his immaculate ball ala David Beckham simply landed on Derrick’s side forehead who headed the ball home before their keeper can reach. In scoring his header, Derrick received the full force of their charging keeper but Derrick managed to stay on his feet. 3-2 and this was Derrick’s 89^th ARFC goal.

Derrick’s goal also extended his successive goal-scoring run to 11 matches.

However, ARFC is slowly but surely wilting under the searing heat and conceded 2 more goals to lose 3-4.

Voting results:

Darren – 9

Derrick – 6

Guoxiong – 5

Elvis – 4

Hee – 4

Sebastian – 3

Toh – 2

Wayne – 1

Alvin – 1

Ismail – 1

Derrick smashed Alvin's 9-match successive scoring run in 6-3 win

Witnessed by Ismail’s cute wife, Shidah and even cuter son Aqeel, Derrick smashed Alvin’s 9-match consecutive scoring run when he netted a brace to score in his 10^th successive match in a 6-3 win over a very youthful, energetic and enthusiastic After One FC.

As Ismail’s Maserati was giving him problems and was very late for the match, Haron showed why he was Singapore’s and Malaysia’s ideal and idol BIL by steeping in as the keeper.

After the match, Ismail was spotted getting the name-card of C & C’s CEO Wayne as Ismail is believed to be keen to procure a Mercedes E700, a rare and new model which C & C only produced 7 units.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (captain)

Right-back - Dependable Jinzhong  

Sweeper - Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Stopper - Towering Toh

Left-back - Unbeatable Darren

Left-mid - Speedy Hee

Centre-mid - Combative Ron

Centre-mid - Unpredictable Blackburn  

Right-mid - Talisman Derrick

Striker - Nippy Kenny 

Striker - Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Dynamic Soon

Steely Tze Ern

Wonder Wayne (late)

Commanding Ismail (very late)

Absent:

Influential Sebastian

Marauding Guoxiong

Sublime Khim

Impeccable How Meng

Hard-man Tjioe

Booming Boon

With every ARFC warrior egging Derrick to break Alvin’s 9-match consecutive scoring run, ARFC started the game strongly and was rewarded with an early goal in the 7th min. Alvin pounced on a defensive error to slot the ball into an empty net after his first shot ricochet off a defender and back to his feet. Derrick was hoping for a pass across the field but to no avail. 1-0 and this was Alvin’s 235^th ARFC goal.

In the 17th min, ARFC doubled its lead.  Off a corner by Blackburn, the ball flew over everyone's head and reached the other end where Jinzhong ran from deep to send a cross back into the box. Toh got to the ball first but as his back was facing the goal, he flicked the ball to the far post which sits nicely for Alvin, who was lurking unmarked, to prod home his 2nd goal of the game. 2-0 and Alvin has now scored 236 goals for ARFC.

However, Derrick was observed looking unhappy as he wished that he was the one at the spot instead of Alvin.

As the match progressed, Derrick became more and more desperate, (even more desperate than an army boy on a night’s out at St. James) and took several shots but all came to nought. It seemed that he was simply trying too hard.

From a counter attack, the opponent pulled a goal back 7mins from time to make the score 2-1.

During the half-time pep talk, Captain of the day Haron lashed out as Derrick’s selfish and desperado attempts and as a result, Derrick was taken off at half-time to do some self-reflection

ARFC started sluggishly after the re-start.  However, in the 67th min, a wonder goal from Kenny rejuvenated the team. Seeing Kenny in the centre of the field, Ismail shouted for him as he gave a mighty kick ala Peter Schmeichel. The ball went slightly off target though towards the left of the field but Kenny did not give up the chase and won the ball from the opposing defender who was trying to shield the ball out, while everyone just looked and stare. With the ball at his feet, Kenny dribbled inwards towards the keeper and cooly nutmeg the latter even though there were 2 defenders hot on his heels. 3-1 and this was Kenny’s 41^st ARFC goal.

Rumours has it that Ismail had attended the talk by Peter Schmeichel on Saturday and Peter has taught Ismail a trick or two in the goal-kicking department.

Derrick then voiced his readiness to take the field again as he substituted Alvin out. His grit and determination to score finally paid off in the 77th min. From the right, after some exchange of passes between Jinzhong, Tze Ern and Hee, Jinzhong underlined why he was ready to replace Guoxiong at right-back when he finally sent a beautiful cross into the centre of the box where Derrick manage to slip from his marker and gleefully nod the ball into the net, beating the outstretch arms of the keeper. With that goal, Derrick took out his red thongs and ran around the field 7 times as thousands of TKBs screamed his name, declared their love for him and threw their brassieres at him!!!! 4-1 and this was Derrick’s 87^th ARFC goal.

With this goal, Derrick has finally erased Alvin’s record as this was his 10^th successive match where he scored.

Surprisingly, Derrick did not sub himself out after scoring in this game, like what he has been doing routinely for the past few matches.

Sloppy defending gave the opponent a chance back into the game. 4-2

With the new confidence, Derrick did justice by staying in and game as he assisted in the next goal. From the right again, off a throw-in into the box, Derrick shielded the ball from his marker and hooked the ball into the centre when he heard Haron shouting for it. However, the ball was slightly over hit to the far post. Soon then came from the blind side and shouted that it was his, before slamming the ball into the net. 5-2 and this was Soon’s 59^th ARFC goal, equaling Tjioe’s tally.

Soon’s tireless running despite running 31km in day earlier is truly admirable, unlike a certain influential ARFC warrior who only ran 21km and yet still did not turn up for the match.

Opponent got another goal back. 5-3 and seemed confident of scoring more.

Hee was injured shortly after this and a melee nearly broke out. The opposing defender nearly broke Hee's leg with a crunching tackle.

However, In the 87th min, Derrick put the game to bed by pouncing on yet another header to the bottom corner of the goal, off a Blackburn’s cross from the right. 6-3 and Derrick has now scored 88 ARFC goals, just 4 short of Sebastian’s 92 goals.

Voting results:

Kenny – 10

Soon – 8

Ron – 7

Derrick – 4

Elvis – 2

Tze Ern – 2

Jinzhong – 2

Wayne – 2

Ismail – 2

Darren – 1

Alvin – 1

Blackburn – 1