ARFC Veteran Team extends unbeaten run in 3-1 win

Playing its 4^th veteran match, ARFC Veteran Team continued its unbeaten record after overcoming a competent Old Victorian Association Old Boys 3-1 at the poor and hard pitch at Victoria School.

ARFC Veteran Team was supported by Ron’s wife and son, Lingzhi and Rio respectively.

Alvin also made his ARFC Veteran Team debut after his daughter fell asleep at 4 pm.

Due to a raft of ARFC Veteran Team absentees, 39 year-olds Tjioe, Tze Ern and Elvis were called up.

ARFC Veteran Team started with this line-up:

GK – Derrick

RB – Chua

Sweeper – Ron

Stopper – Huiming

LB – David

RM – Eng Lai

CM – Sebastian (Captain)

CM – Tjioe

LM – Darren

SC – Blackburn

SC – Alvin

Subs:

Daniel

Elvis

Qingxing

Tze Ern

ARFC started off poorly and could not get its usual smooth passing game going.

Darren continued his impressive left-wing display when he powered down the left but saw his shot clipped the cross-bar and out. 

Chua then made a superb over-lapping run down the right flank to tee up Eng Lai.  Unfortunately, Eng Lai shot wide.

ARFC was really struggling to create chances and things did not improve much even though Elvis, Qingxing, Daniel and Tze Ern took over Ron, David, Alvin and Tjioe respectively.

Daniel then just failed to get a clean shot in.

Right on the stroke of half-time, ARFC finally grabbed a breakthrough. Chua, who was very impressive throughout the match, pinged a long ball down the right side.  Tze Ern, who injected much-needed pace and speed in the team, chased the ball from deep and without breaking his stride, simply volleyed the ball over their GK from 37 metres.  1-0 and this was Tze Ern’s 15^th ARFC goal.

This was also Tze Ern’s first goal for ARFC in 2017!

From the re-start, the referee blew for half-time whistle.

ARFC played much better in the 2^nd half. 

7 mins from the re-start, ARFC doubled its lead.  From an attack on the left, Darren headed back across goal and their defender clumsily handled the ball.  Derrick stepped up to send their GK the wrong way for his 104^th ARFC goal.  2-0

With this goal, Derrick is now on level terms with Sebastian at 104 goals scored for ARFC.

Daniel was put through yet again but he just couldn’t get enough power behind his shot.

Derrick then teed up Sebastian nicely in the box but Sebastian could only half-volleyed his shot wide.

Huiming then produced 2 stunning forays upfront but could not conjure up meaningful assists.

David also tried to dribble his way past 3 opponents but to no avail.

Alvin was next to rue his miss when he saw his powerful shot saved by their GK.

Ron, who gamely took over the GK duty from Derrick in the 2^nd half, demonstrated his awareness when he charged out to save an one-on-one situation.  Brilliant!

However, Ron undid his good work in the 67^th min when he allowed a speculative ball from the half-way line to bounce over him into goal, prompting Derrick to ROFL loudly.   2-1

7 mins later, Darren made certain of ARFC’s victory.  From a long Qingxing ball from his left-back position, Darren brought the ball inwards and ignoring calls from Alvin and Derrick, Darren spotted a small gap and squeezed the ball past their GK for his 10^th ARFC goal. 3-1

Man of the Match is jointly given to Darren and Huiming.

Though ARFC Veteran Team was clearly off-colour for this match, it was still able to grind out a victory.  This is thanks largely to the team work and efforts put in by all veteran players.