Darren hit winner in ARFC Veterans' 2-1 win against SRC Veterans

Playing its 15^th veteran match and on a rare 5.30 pm kick-of time at the natural grass Indian Association pitch, ARFC Veterans dished out a controlled displayed to edge out SRC Veterans 2-1.

As there were not enough players one day before the match, ARFC Veterans had no choice but to call up several guest players. 

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

GK – Derrick

RB – Kiat

Sweeper – John (guest player)

Stopper – Toh

LB – Malcolm (guest player)

RM – Raymond

CM – Sebastian

CM – Blackburn

LM – Darren

SC – Alvin

SC –  Hee

Subs:

Rashid – late

Tze Ern – late

Qingxing – late

Soon – late

Weng Tuck (guest player)

Kenny (guest player) – late

ARFC Veterans started the match very well and could have taken the lead within 5 mins.  Raymond embarked on a piercing and forceful run down the right flank and faced their GK.  Alas, Raymond took the wrong option but he fired into the side-netting when a square pass across goal would have been met by Alvin who was free in the box.

Hee and Alvin then had chances but could not hit the target.

Toh, who was back after his recent injury, came up with a tough block and signalled to all that he is back!

Darren then combined with Malcolm down the left but the cross was fruitless.

Kiat, who had a great game as right back, then put Raymond down the right side but the move did not reaped dividends.

Hee, Alvin, Raymond and Sebastian then produced several closing down of opponents.

Derrick also came up with a crucial save.

ARFC Veterans then made several substitutions with Weng Tuck coming in for Toh (who requested a shot break), and Kenny coming in for Hee. Tze Ern also replaced Raymond.

Weng Tuck then made the great impact when out of nowhere, he unleashed a powerful left-foot drive from 37 metres that left their GK rooted to the spot. 1-0 and it was Weng Tuck’s debut goal for ARFC Veterans.

However Weng Tuck marred his good work when he lost the ball just outside the penalty box and the opponents scored. 1-1

Soon then replaced Blackburn.

Kenny then missed 2 golden chances when he scuffed both shots when unmarked.

In the 2^nd half, Rashid and Qingxing came on

ARFC Veterans continued to press to regain its lead.

Kenny missed another great chance when he could not put in a clean shot.  He was soon replaced by Hee.

In the 57^th min came the move of the match.  From the right flank area, Kiat played a grounder to Sebastian who asked for the ball just outside the penalty box.  Sebastian then dummied the ball by letting the ball go in between his legs and continued his run into the box.  Blackburn read his mind perfectly and returned a perfectly-weighted ball into his path.  With their stopped closing down, Sebastian managed to toe-poke the ball with his left foot. Their GK was rooted to the spot but the left post denied Sebastian a well-deserved goal. Unlucky but what a move ala Andy Cole-Dwight Yorke move.

ARFC finally took the lead in the 67^th min.  Rashid played a nice diagonal ball down the right flank and Kiat started his over-lapping run.  With a perfect cross, their GK inexplicably dropped the ball and Darren was there to poke the ball into the empty net. 2-1 and this was Darren’s 16^th ARFC goal, with 5 of them from Veterans matches.

Derrick then played as striker with Tze Ern taking over in goal.

Derrick’s 1^st contribution was a weak shot from 37 metres.

Raymond then had a field day down the right flank but could not came up with a goal.

Qingxing also showed his usual toughness with several strong challenges and clearances.

It was a good victory for ARFC Veterans as all played well.