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