Chua's solid performance key foundation to 3-2 win

Resuming its playing calendar after the lunar new year, ARFC put up a controlled performance to triumph 3-2 against a younger opponents Projek Bola at Tampines SAFRA.

ARFC was supported by its die-hard supporter, Lingzi (wife of Ron) as well as Tiara and Dylan.

ARFC also welcomed Rashid who joined ARFC officially today and was assignd the number 12 jerseys.

ARFC started with this 4-5-1 line-up:

Jersey no.	Name	Position
33	Talisman Derrick	Goalkeeper
16	Marauding Guoxiong	Right-back
14	Combative Ron	Sweeper
15	Towering Toh (captain)	Stopper
31	Vintage Chua	Left-back
xx	Minghui	Right-mid
4	Dynamic Soon	Centre-mid
5	Impeccable How Meng	Centre-mid
12	Remarkable Rashid	Centre-mid
2	Unpredictable Blackburn	Left-mid
66	Wonder Wayne	Striker
Subs:
3	Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
7	Influential Sebastian
8	Talented Chun Haw
9	ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
xx	Lucas
Absent:
6	Unbeatable Darren
10	Sublime Khim
11	Speedy Hee
17	Nippy Kenny
18	Determined Huiming
19	Skillful Weilit
20	Composed Eng Lai
21	Rampaging Raymond
28	Hard-man Tjioe
45	Commanding Ismail
77	Dependable Jinzhong
78	Steely Tze Ern
99	Powerful Alvin

Inspired by the official signing of Rashid, ARFC was able to enhance its passing and movements with Rashid providing the creative sparks and very well-supported by the industry and graft of Soon and How Meng.

In the 7^th min, Rashid released Wayne with a outside left-foot grounder but Wayne’s heavy touch unfortunately saw their GK rushing out to thwart him. Unlucky!

In the 17^th min, Blackburn’s corner from the right saw Toh only connected with a weak header.

Despite having nothing much to do for virtually he first 30 mins, Derrick still demonstrated his alertness when he saved Toh’s blushes after going down low very quickly to turn a goal-bound shot past the post. World-class save ala Petr Cech (the Chelsea version).

With almost the last kick of the half, ARFC took the lead. With a flowing move.   From his right-back position, Elvis passed to Rashid who in turn laid the ball to Haron who had dropped back to collect the ball.  Haron then passed to Chun Haw on the left and Chun Haw chipped in a high diagonal ball right into the heart of their defence. Lucas dashed in from deep, reached the ball ahead of their on-rushing GK and lifted the ball over him and into the net.   1-0 and this was Lucas’ 4^th ARFC goal.

In the 2^nd half, ARFC continued to match the younger and fitter opponents and soon doubled its lead.

In the 50^th min, Chun Haw was clumsily brought down by their defence and Sebastian directed Elvis to take the spot-kick due to the presence of his children.  Blocking out the screaming from Tiara and Dylan, Elvis calmly stroked the ball down the middle for his 14^th ARFC goal. 2-0 and the goal saw both Tiara and Dylan performing the ‘Vietnam-Wave’ at the sidelines. 

In the 60^th min, the referee awarded an extremely soft penalty which was nearly saved by Derrick. 1-2

Wayne then got down the left flank but his cross was not picked up by any ARFC warrior.

In the 87^th min, ARFC put the result to bed.  Derrick launched a long goal-kick down the left flank and Wayne then powered goalwards.  His cross/shot looked destined to reach Haron but their defender took a touch and wrong-footed his own GK. 3-1.

After 7 rounds of TV replays, the goal was credited to Wayne and this was his 34^th ARFC goal.

With the last kick of the match, the opponents pulled a goal back. 3-2

Special credit must be given to Chua, the 53 year-old warrior, for playing the whole match and his performance is an example for all ARFC warriors to emulate.

Voting Results:

Rashid – 10

Chua – 9

Ron – 8

Wayne – 5

Chun Haw – 2

Guoxiong – 1

Soon – 1