ARFC Veterans loses its unbeaten record in undeserving 1-4 defeat

Playing its 7^th veteran match and the first time in ages in a 9 am match, ARFC Veteran Team finally lost its unbeaten run in an undeserving 1-4 defeat by FC Waterway.

ARFC Veterans received a rude shock when regular world-class GK Derrick failed to turn up. Rumours had it that he was super drunk and lying unconsciously till 12 pm at Syed Alwi Road with some unknown PRC female nationals.  

Kiat then volunteered to be GK.

ARFC Veterans started with this line-up:

GK – Kiat

RB – Eng Lai

Sweeper – Elvis

Stopper – Huiming

LB – David

RM – Raymond

CM – Sebastian (Captain)

CM – Tjioe

LM – Soon

SC – Haron

SC – Jeffrey

Subs:

Ron

Tze Ern

Blackburn

Toh

Daniel

ARFC Veterans started very confidently and was in total control for the first 10 mins with Sebastian and Tjioe dominating the centre mid with monster-like display.

From their first shot, however, the opponents scored a goal. 0-1

From their second shot, the opponents scored again with a speculative high lob!  0-2

ARFC Veterans did not allow its heads to drop and Raymond was put clean through but hurried and skied the shot.

ARFC Veterans then received a crushing blow when Huiming hobbled off with an serious-looking ankle injury after he made a stunning block to prevent a certain goal.

Raymond was then made to rue another near miss.  From the left, Blackburn headed backwards to the far post and Raymond just couldn’t get his header downwards and the ball landed over the bar.

From several corners from Sebastian, ARFC Veterans could not pull a goal back though the corners were hit into the danger area.

Kiat then pulled off 3 point-blank saves in succession.

In the second half, ARFC again controlled proceedings in the opening 10 mins but just could not grab a break-through.

Stunningly, ARFC Veterans went 3 goals down when a Stoke-like move resulted in the opponents scoring a freak goal from a throw-in!! 0-3

In the 57^th min, ARFC Veterans finally got the goal it deserved. Sebastian’s free-kick from the left was perfectly chipped in to Tjioe who trapped the ball beautifully in the crowded penalty box. Despite surrounded by many team-mates and opponents, Tjioe found his footing and thumped in a rocket for the 63^rd ARFC goal. 1-3

By now, ARFC Veterans was inspired and attacked relentlessly.

Cruel fate struck ARFC veterans again when they scored a lucky goal. 1-4

Blackburn then laid the ball to the on-rushing Soon just at the top of the penalty box but Soon shot straight at their GK.

Special credit goes to both Kiat and David for volunteering to be GK for each half.

It was really a shame to lose the unbeaten record to FC Waterway which is just an average, though much younger, team at best.  The 4 goals were totally gifts to them and ARFC Veterans have to do better in the next match in April 2018.