Ismail matched Izwan Mahbud's miraculous display in 3-1 win over Japanese team

Playing under a torturing hot sun, ARFC overcame a very good Japanese team, Mogura FC, courtesy of a very disciplined performance.  

ARFC was supported by Lingzhi, Ron’s wife.  

ARFC also welcomed back Derrick who is slowly working his way back to peak condition after his recent knee surgery.  

Special kudos to Soon who came to play despite just completed a 111-km, not 11.1 km and certainly not 1.11 km, run earlier. Fantastic commitment and superb fitness!! 

ARFC also recalled Huiming, pioneer ARFC warrior, to help out. 

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper – Commanding Ismail

Right-back – Determined Huiming

Sweeper – Composed Eng Lai

Stopper - Impeccable How Meng

Left-back - Unbeatable Darren

Left mid – Unpredictable Blackburn

Right mid – Rampaging Raymond

Centre-mid - Influential Sebastian (captain)

Centre-mid – Combative Ron

Striker – Speedy Hee

Striker – Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Talisman Derrick

Sublime Khim

Dynamic Soon

Vintage Chua

Kenny (guest player from SHHK)

Weng Tuck (guest player) 

Absent:

Talented Chun Haw

Marauding Guoxiong

Steely Tze Ern

Towering Toh

Nippy Kenny

Dependable Jinzhong

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Skilful Weilit

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Hard-man Tjioe

Wonder Wayne  

ARFC conceded a goal within 177 seconds. 0-1 

ARFC then equalized after How Meng threaded a through ball to Alvin who broke their off-side trap and was in the right side of the 6-yard box area.  Alvin then squared across goal and Khim fooled their GK with some clever footwork before calmly side-footed home his 51^st ARFC goal. 1-1

Ismail then came to ARFC’s rescue when he produced a top-draw one-handed save to flick a fierce shot over the bar.  Superb! 

Raymond was then put through by Alvin and raced down on their GK. However, Raymond’s rustiness showed when he over-played the ball and their GK saved his shot but conceded a corner.   

Raymond nevertheless made amends immediately. His beautifully-floated corner was only half-cleared by their defence to the lurking Khim who was just outside the box.  With a clean first touch, Khim killed the ball and thumped in a shot that sailed past a sea of players to hit the net. 2-1 and this was Khim’s 52^nd ARFC goal. 

In the 2^nd half, the opponents exerted huge pressure on ARFC but stout defending led by Ron and Huiming kept them at bay.  

Ismail then showed his mettle when he produced 3 successive world-class saves with stunning reflexes and power.  Simply brilliant!

ARFC then sealed the win after Chua’s clearance looped over their defence. Raymond chased the ball and lofted the ball over their GK who was came off the line. 3-1 and this was Raymond’s 4^th ARFC goal. 

Ismail then again produced another out-of-this-world double-handed save to deny the opponents. 

Voting results: 

Ismail – 9

Khim – 9

Darren – 6

How Meng – 4

Ron – 4

Hee – 1