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