ARFC Veterans kick off 2019 with 2-0 win

Playing its 16^th veteran match against The ESSEX at the CJC pitch, ARFC Veterans kick-started 2019 with a very patient, disciplined and controlled match to win 2-0.

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

GK – Sunny (guest GK)

RB – Kiat

Sweeper – Toh

Stopper – Huiming

LB – Tze Ern

RM – Tong

CM – Sebastian

CM – Soon

CM - Tjioe

LM – Darren

SC – Raymond

Subs:

Eng Lai

Haron

Derrick

Jeffrey

Chua (late)

ARFC Veterans started the match with a patient passing game and did not hurry its play. For the opening 20 mins, it was ARFC Veterans all the way with the 3 centre midfielders totally controlling the midfield.

ARFC Veterans took the lead in the 20^th min.  With gradual and neat passing down the right where Kiat and Tong were involved, the ball was passed to Raymond who had pulled away to the right wing.  Raymond then crossed in which was half clear by their defender. Sebastian picked up the ball and dribbled into the box but before he could pull the trigger, he was brought down.  Tjioe stepped up and just managed to squeeze in his spot-kick at the left post with their GK guessing the right way. 1-0 and this was Tjioe’s 65^th ARFC goal.

ARFC Veterans then made 5 substitutions with Huiming, Tong, Kiat, Raymond and Tjioe making way for the 5 subs, and changed formation to 4-4-2 with Haron and Jeffrey up front, Derrick and Chua on the right with Eng Lai as the stopper.

ARFC then conceded a penalty.  Thankfully, Sunny saved the day with a world-class full-length flying save to his left to deny the opponents.  Brilliant save!!

Soon then suffered slight cramps and asked to be replaced by Tjioe.

With yet another patient build-up, ARFC Veterans almost extended its lead.  From the left back position, Tze Ern passed to Darren who then squared inwards to Soon.  Soon then passed to Sebastian at the centre mid area.  Sebastian then passed to Chua who had moved up.  Chua then pinged a low ball down the right to Derrick who then fizzed in a venomous ball right across goal that somehow eluded both Haron and Jeffrey.  However, their right-back then handled the ball before it could get to Darren.

This time round, Haron stepped up but his hesitant spot-kick was saved by their GK.

In the 2^nd half, ARFC Veterans continued its relentless attacks and took the lead in the 57^th min.

Again, ARFC Veterans started with yet another neat passing and movement which saw Chua sending a low ball down the left flank for Darren.  Mimicking Andrew Robertson, Darren chipped in a hanging cross all the way to the far post and Haron came charging in and with a flying header, sent the ball into the roof of the net!!!   World-class goal and it was Haron’s 258^th ARFC goal. 2-0

From Sebastian’s corner, Jeffrey leaped and met the ball with a powerful header but their defender deflected away for another corner.

Haron then teed up Sebastian who floated shot could not find the top left-hand corner.

The opponents then tried to provoke ARFC Veterans with some antics which the referee unfortunately fell for it and harshly sent off Tjioe.

Hence, ARFC Veterans played the last 20 mins with only 10 warriors.

Despite so, ARFC Veterans held up well with Toh marshalling his defence well while Sunny came up with some assuring catches.

ARFC Veterans almost scored a 3^rd goal after some great work from Raymond down the right. Unfortunately, Derrick’s placed shot was turned away by their GK.

This was arguably ARFC Veterans’ 2^nd best display (the best display was the match at Floating Platform where we won 3-0 against the Liverpool Fan Club team). All warriors played very well.

o   Sunny – Very reliable GK.  Topped with a penalty save

o   Kiat and Tong – Combined very well on the right.

o   Toh – Marshalled defence like Alan Hansen

o   Huiming – Wonderful stopper and breathing down their striker all the time

o   Eng Lai – Very composed play and did not put a foot wrong at all

o   Tze Ern – their right wing could not get past him at all.  Came up with several incisive dribbles and forays up front

o   Sebastian, Soon and Tjioe  - Wonderful trio who complement and supplement each other’s strengths very well

o   Darren – Andrew Robertson and John Barnes combined – says it all!

o   Raymond – Harassed their defence no end. Energy level in unbelievable

o   Haron – Very neat and clean touches. World-class header goal!

o   Derrick – With a few more matches, we will see Derrick the wizardry right winger soon. Great cross that won us a penalty.

o   Jeffrey – Came up with some nice hold-up play and touches.  Nearly scored with a powerful header.

o   Chua – Made so many vital interceptions and clearances. Simply brilliant full back.