Haron notched 250th ARFC goal in commanding-yet-ironic 3-4 loss

Playing under Qatar-like temperature at Naval Base SS, ARFC suffered a somewhat bizarre 3-4 loss to Team Recon.

ARFC was supported by its die-hard supporter, Lingzi and Rio (wife and son of Ron) as well as Clara (Guoxiong’s beautiful daughter) Tiara and Dylan (cute children of Elvis).

ARFC started with this 4-4-2 line-up:

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

ARFC started very brightly and as in total control with 4 corners within the first 10 minutes.

However, other than Tjioe’s header which just sailed over the cross-bar, ARFC was unable to grab a breakthrough.

Kenny and Alvin were particularly threatening with their constant harassing of their defence.  From such a move, Kenny spotted their GK off the line but his long-range effort was hit just a little too high.

After a water break due to the humid weather, ARFC made a string of substitutions with all 6 substitutes coming on.

Strangely enough, ARFC then gifted 4 comical goals to trail 0-4 at half-time.

After a fiery half-time talk, ARFC too to the field with renewed fire, focus and determination.

Within 2 mins of the re-start, Sebastisn’s corner from the right found Kenny at the edge of the penalty box.  Unfortunately, Kenny was unable to connect with a volley as he sliced the ball.

From yet another corner from Sebastian, Toh leaped and connected with his eagle-spread header but it went just 0.15 mm over.

Chun Haw then picked up a loose ball but he sent his violent shot into Row Z.

In the 50^th min, ARFC finally pulled a goal back.  Picking up a loose ball outside the box, Sebastian demonstrated great composure and vision ala Alonso when he chipped in a precise ball for Chun Haw to latch on.  With a great take-down, Chun Haw fired the ball into the roof of the net for his 67^th ARFC goal. 1-4

2 mins later, Rashid released Guoxiong with a world-class defence-splitting ball and Guoxiong faced their GK.  However, Guoxiong’s shot was too close to their GK who made a great block.

3 mins later, Rashid’s stinging shot looked destined for goal until their GK produced a stunning world-class flying save to palm the ball out for a corner.

Chun Haw then put Alvin through but Alvin could not get a clean shot at goal and the ball was easily saved.

Rashid, who is already looking like a great signing, produced a sizzling slide-rule pass down the right flank to Guoxiong who was running from deep.  Hearing Alvin’s call for the ball, Guoxiong cross was perfectly-placed and Alvin took a superb first-touch before placing the ball nicely to the left bottom of the goal. 2-4 and this was Alvin’s 301^st ARFC goal.

Playing with great belief now, ARFC totally dominated proceedings and the opponents did not even have any shots in the 2^nd half.

However, ARFC continued to miss several chances.

In the 70^th min, ARFC won a penalty after Chun Haw was clumsily upended in the box.  Knowing that Haron needed a goal to reach the 250^th-goal landmark, regular ARFC penalty-taker Sebastian passed up the chance to Haron.  Unsurprisingly, Haron nonchalantly marched up and stroked the ball down the middle for his 250^th ARFC goal. 3-4.

Despite several more attacks, ARFC could not conjured an equalising goal.

Special mention must be given to ARFC’s defence in the 2^nd half as they were more focused, particularly Toh who won several crucial aerial balls.

Voting Results:

Chun Haw – 10

Rashid – 9

Sebastian – 9

Ron – 7

Guoxiong – 6

Kenny – 4

Alvin – 2

Chua – 1