Sebastian notched a stunner in 5-1 victory

  

 

Playing a 9 pm match for the first time since covid-19, ARFC brushed aside the challenge of Booze Uncle 5-1 on 1 Nov 2022 at 9 pm at Turfy City pitch 4.

 

Due to poor responses, ARFC had to call up guest players.

 

Special credit to Darren for volunteering to play GK due to his groin injury sustained on 30 Oct 2022.  Big kudos to him!

 

Special mention to Derrick who turned up to watch despite his injured right knee.

 

ARFC was led by Chun Haw and Wei Lit who made the decisions for this match.

 

ARFC took to the pitch with this 4-4-2 line-up:

 

Jersey No.:	Name	Position
6	Unbeatable Darren	Goalkeeper
xx	Kiat (guest player)	Right back
3	Astute-reading sweeper Elvis	Sweeper
xx	Han Yuan (guest player)	Stopper
xx	Jerri (guest player)	Left back
xx	Hao Xian (guest player)	Right mid
23	Talented Chun Haw	Centre Mid
7	Influential Sebastian	Centre Mid
19	Skillful Wei Lit	Left Mid
5	Energetic Kerwin	Striker
xx	Han (guest player)	Striker
Substitutes:
31	Wonder Wayne (late)
xx	Kelvin
xx	Darren
xx	Ann
Missing In Action:
2	Remarkable Rashid
4	Dynamic Soon
8	Precocious Javier
9	ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
10	Sublime Khim
11	Speedy Hee
13	Talisman Derrick
14	Combative Ron
15	Towering Toh
16	Marauding Guoxiong
17	Nippy Kenny
20	Composed Eng Lai
26	Rampaging Raymond
27	Left-foot wizard Kejendran (KJ)
28	Hard-man Tjioe
29	Flying Fremont
66	Vintage Chua
77	Dependable Jinzhong
78	Steely Tze Ern
98	Impeccable How Meng
99	Powerful Alvin

 

 

Booze Uncle started the match with their quick passing and movements which troubled ARFC initially which was not surprising due to the presence of many guest players who needed a bit of time to bed in.  Thankfully, Elvis led the defence well to ensure that the opponents did not score.

 

Once they settled in, ARFC began to wrest back the control from the opponents with its own passing and movements which had the opponents in sixes and sevens.

 

ARFC took the lead in the 15^th min.  A long ball from Kiat was latched on by Han at the right flank.  Looking up, Han sent in a low sizzling ball across goal to the far post.  Kerwin peeled away from the defender, popped up at the far post and side footed the ball into the empty net.  1-0 and this was Kerwin’s 5^th ARFC goal.

 

7 mins later, ARFC doubled its lead with an exquisite goal from Sebastian.  From a corner on the left, the ball was only half-cleared by the opponents.  Jerri picked up the ball inside the box and laid the ball to Sebastian after hearing his call for the ball.  Standing just outside the top of the penalty box, and with an opponent closing in, Sebastian hit a left foot curler that dipped in just under the cross bar with their GK failing to get his hands to the ball.  2-0 and this was Sebastian’s 129^th ARFC goal.

 

Shortly after scoring, Sebastian asked to be substituted as it was his 2^nd match in 3 days, after playing the full 90 mins 2 days ago.

 

In the second half, ARFC continued its dominance though the opponents did threaten on several occasions but Han Yuan and Kiat snuffed out all their attacks, with Darren producing several assured catches from their shots.

 

ARFC extended its lead in the 55^th min.  Hao Xian held up the ball at the right flank, paused for a while before threading in a low diagonal through ball that tore their defence apart.  Darrell dashed in and proceeded to fire in a fierce shot inside the near post that gave their GK no chance at all!  3-0 now.

 

ARFC then put the result to bed after the highly-impressive Jerri drilled a stunner across goal that left their GK rooted to the spot.  4-0.

 

The referee then produced the “kelong of the century” when he awarded a goal to the opponents.  Before taking a goal kick (which means play has not started), their striker simply took the ball away from Darren, dribbled past him and put the ball into the empty net.  Incredulously, the referee, who was actually standing in the centre circle, allowed the “goal”!!!    Such a stunning decision simply left every players, both in and outside the pitch, stunned like vegetables.  4-1.

 

 

ARFC restored its 4-goal cushion with a brilliant pass from Chun Haw.  His slide rule pass from the left took their entire defence out of the equation and Han ran in before calmly placing the ball past their despairing GK.  5-1!

 

This was a match where ARFC did very well despite the unfamiliarity due to presence of guest players.  Chun Haw and Wei Lit showcased their leadership qualities as well.

Tjioe scored his 70th ARFC goal in 3-5 thriller loss

Playing its 6^th Veterans match in 2022 and 33^rd Veterans match overall, ARFC Veterans was let down by poor attendance and was beaten 3-5 by Ayer Rajah Veterans at the way-too-small pitch at Khalsa Club on 25 Sep 202 at 7 pm.

 

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

 

GK – Zhi Chong (guest GK)

RB – Eng Lai

Sweeper – Elvis

Stopper – Toh

LB – Darren

RM – Soon

CM – Tjioe

CM – Sebastian (captain)

LM – Kenny

SC – Derrick

SC – Haron

 

Subs:

 

Daniel

Wayne

Ron

 

At the request of the opponents, the match was played in three 30-min halves.

 

ARFC Veterans started the match brightly and nearly took the lead within 3 mins.

 

From his left-back position, Darren pinged a long ball down the right flank which Derrick managed to retrieve right at the right byeline.  He then squared the ball across goal and running in, Soon met the ball perfectly but his shot was blocked by both their GK and sliding defender for a corner kick.  Unlucky but what a move.

 

ARFC Veterans then suffered a huge blow when Toh pulled his calf after stretching for a ball, resulting in him being replaced by Ron.

 

Zhi Chong then produced 2 top-draw saves, and Elvis also came up with a brilliant block to keep the first-30 half 0-0.

 

Kenny then departed the match due to family commitment, leaving ARFC Veterans with just 2 substitutes.

 

ARFC Veterans then found itself 2 goals down within the space of 7 mins.  0-2.

 

From Sebastian’s corner on the right, the ball was headed away by the opponents.  The ball was picked up by Elvis, who again had a good match, at the centre of the pitch. With an instinctive move, Elvis switched the ball to the left flank where Ron had taken up a good position.  Ron’s clever flick with his right foot saw the ball floating right into the heart of the opponent’s penalty box. Before their GK could punch the ball away, Darren sneaked in and managed to head the ball over their GK for his 12^th Veterans goa and 27t ARFC goals overall.  1-2 now!

 

Daniel then pressured their defender by sliding the ball away and Soon gleefully picked up the loose ball.  Alas, his clean shot was saved by their GK.

 

Tjioe was next to come close when his venomous shot from distance was palmed away by their GK.

 

The second 30-min half ended 1-2.

 

In the last 30-min half, the opponents took the lead from a long shot. 1-3 now.

 

ARFC Veterans pulled a goal back 7 mins later.  Derrick’s good work from the left resulted in the ball being played into the penalty box.  With the ball rolling about in the area between the penalty spot and the top of the box, Haron did well to shield their stopper.  Wasted no time, Sebastian immediately seized the golden opportunity and fired in a sizzling grounder that beat their full-diving GK.  The ball landed nicely at the bottom left corner.  2-3 and this was Sebastian’s 128^th ARFC goal, with 12 coming from ARFC Veterans matches.

 

The opponents then regained its 2-goal cushion. 2-4 now.

 

Ron then came up with a world-class block with his body to prevent ARFC Veterans from falling behind.

 

Derrick nearly scored when his long-range shot from outside the box looked to be ending up at the bottom right corner when their GK stuck out his feet to turn the ball away for a corner.  Unlucky!

 

ARFC Veterans then narrowed the score 7 mins later.  Sebastian’s throw-in from the right saw Wayne chested the ball back to Sebastian.  In a swift move, Sebastian lofted the ball into the penalty box and Tjioe leaped highest to nod the ball over their GK.  3-4.

 

With the goal, Tjioe has moved to 70 ARFC goals, with 4 of those goals coming from ARFC Veterans matches, and surpassed Robin’s 69 goals.

 

The opponents then scored a last-gasp goal to win 5-3.

 

Including this match, these were all the details for ARFC Veterans’ 33 matches since it was formed in 2017:

 

2017	4	3	1	0	21	7
2018	11	8	1	2	29	21
2019	12	11	0	1	43	16
2020	0	0	0	0	0	0
2022	6	4	0	2	19	15
Total	33	26	2	5	112	59

 

 

These are the top 5 scorers for ARFC Veterans’ 33 matches:

 

1.    Raymond – 18 goals

2.    Haron – 15 goals

3.    Darren – 12 goals

4.    Sebastian – 12 goals

5.    Soon – 11 goals

 

 

Special thanks to Derrick for generously topping up the short-fall for match fee payments.

 

Man of the Match has to be Darren.Tjioe

Chun Haw scored wonder goal in hard-fought 6-4 win over Christ Methodist Church

  

 

Playing under perfect weather on a perfect artificial pitch at St. Patrick’s School, ARFC trailed twice before storming back with a 6-4 victory over a very determined and committed Christ Methodist Church team on 18 Sep 2022 at 3 pm.

 

Due to poor responses, ARFC had to call up 4 guest players at the 11^th hour.

 

ARFC took to the pitch with this 4-4-2 line-up:

 

Jersey No.:	Name	Position
13	Talisman Derrick	Goalkeeper
20	Composed Eng Lai	Right back
3	Astute-reading sweeper Elvis	Sweeper
-	Jeffrey (guest player)	Stopper
6	Unbeatable Darren	Left back
-	Desmond (guest player)	Right mid
7	Influential Sebastian (captain)	Centre Mid
28	Hard-man Tjioe	Centre Mid
-	Allan (guest player)	Left Mid
23	Talented Chun Haw	Striker
-	Han Yuan	Striker
Substitutes:
5	Energetic Kerwin
19	Skillful Wei Lit
66	Vintage Chua
78	Steely Tze Ern
Missing In Action:
2	Remarkable Rashid
4	Dynamic Soon
8	Precocious Javier
9	ARFC Scoring Legend Haron
10	Sublime Khim
11	Speedy Hee
14	Combative Ron
15	Towering Toh
16	Marauding Guoxiong
17	Nippy Kenny
18	Determined Huiming
26	Rampaging Raymond
27	Left-foot wizard Kejendran (KJ)
29	Flying Fremont
31	Wonder Wayne
77	Dependable Jinzhong
98	Impeccable How Meng
99	Powerful Alvin

 

 

ARFC started very strongly but was thwarted by the determined opponents where their GK was a giant in goal with several unbelievable saves.

 

In the 2^nd min, Han Yuan and Chun Haw combined well before Han Yuan saw his clean shot saved brilliantly by their GK. 

 

3 mins later, Chun Haw found himself free but his shot was palmed away by their GK. 

 

7 mins later, a well-worked move from the left saw Darren passing to Chun Haw at the left.  Chun Haw then played the ball to Sebastian who had picked up a good position just outside the box.  Hearing Tjioe’s call for the ball, Sebastian played a grounder into space and Tjioe popped up, ala Paul Scholes, to hammer a thunderous shot that was again denied by their GK. 

 

Wei Lit and Tze Ern then came on for Han Yuan and Allan respectively.

 

In the 21^st min, Desmond produced a pin-point cross from right to the far post.  Tjioe sneaked in and connected with a powerful header but their GK was equal to the task with a save.  From the rebound, Wei Lit reacted quickest with a shot but their defender blocked the shot on the line.

 

ARFC then fell behind after the opponents scored.  0-1

 

Eng Lai, who again had a good game, produced a sizzling ground pass which saw Wei Lit dummied the ball for Chun Haw to run in from deep.  Chun Haw’s shot was again blocked by their defender and the ball flew up high just outside the box.  Timed to perfection, Sebastian waited for the ball to drop before hitting a swivelled volley, ala Steven Gerrard, that looked to be heading for goal until their GK somehow put out a hand to tip the ball onto the cross bar for a corner!   Incredible goalkeeping!

 

ARFC then equalised with a move from defence.  Elvis, who was also imperious throughout, came up with a slide rule pass which Wei Lit won the first challenge for the ball and laid the ball for Tjioe.  Tjioe powered into the box, bringing back memories of a powerful midfielder, before picking his spot by calmly side-footing the ball into the near post to beat their diving GK. 

 

1-1 and this was Tjioe’s 69^th ARFC goal for ARFC, putting him on level terms as former ARFC scoring great Robin (Elvis’ elder brother).

 

From the restart, ARFC found itself trailing again after the opponents scored from a fantastic counter-attack move.  1-2

 

ARFC almost equalised after Tze Ern’s clever low pass pierced right through heir defence.  Chun Haw dashed in and beat their GK with a low drive but his effort was contentiously ruled out for offside.  Unlucky!!

 

ARFC then equalised for the 2^nd time after some good work from Kerwin.   When their GK received a back pass, Kerwin pounced in and closed in on him that saw their GK losing the ball to Kerwin.  Standing at almost the left byeline and with almost no angle, Kerwin curled the ball into the far bottom corner for his 4^th ARFC goal.  2-2 now!

Kerwin’s last goal for ARFC was on 15 Dec 2019 when he netted in a 4-1 win over ‘Class on Glass’ at Anderson Sec Sch pitch.

 

In the 55^th min, ARFC took the lead for the first time.  After picking up a save, Derrick demonstrated quick thinking and reflexes by getting up immediately, heard Chun Haw’s call and pumped a long precise kick, ala Alisson, that bounced over their defence.  Licking his lips, Chun Haw swooped in like an eagle and with their GK charging out, Chun Haw lofted a delicate ball over their GK and into the empty net.  Superb assist from Derrick and brilliant gaol from Chun Haw.  3-2.

 

With the goal, Chun Haw moved past Toh (103 ARFC goals) to go into 104 ARFC goals.

 

ARFC then conceded another goal. 3-3.

 

Incredulously, and straight from the restart, Chun Haw spotted their GK off his line.  In a move that Xabi Alonso would be very proud of, Chun Haw executed an audacious lob from the kick-off spot which sailed over their stunned GK and landed nicely into the net.  World class vision and goal!!!!  

 

4-3 and this was Chun Haw’s 105^th ARFC goal.

 

Wei Lit was next to be denied after he ran through at goal after benefitting from a well-paced and well-placed pass from Chun Haw inside our own half.   However, their GK was again at his best when he dashed out and spread himself to deny Wei Lit’s effort. 

 

Kerwin nearly notched his brace but his header, off Chun Haw’s cross-field ball, was just slightly wide.

 

Chun Haw then missed a golden opportunity for a hat-trick after being released by Tze Ern’s exquisite ball.  With just their GK to beat, Chun Haw blazed the ball into row Z!

 

ARFC then extended its lead in the 77^th min.  Darren, who had a monster of a match, overlapped and his cross was blocked. Daren then passed to Wei Lit who in turn passed to Chun Haw.  Hearing a call from Sebastian, Chun Haw laid the ball across to him who was standing just at the top of the box.  With a shimmy, Sebastian eluded their defender but his low shot was slightly under-hit and looked to be gathered by their GK.  In a fortuitous manner, however, their defender stuck out a foot in his attempt to block the shot but somehow diverted the ball past their own GK.   Lucky goal!

 

5-3 and this was Sebastian’s 127^th ARFC goal.

 

The opponents then showed tremendous grit and determination to pull a goal back. 5-4 now.

 

ARFC then regained its 2-goal lead with virtually the last kick of the match and probably the move of the match.  From his right back position, Chua, who was totally unbeatable, played the ball up to Tze Ern.  Holding off 2 opponents, Tze Ern passed the ball out to Sebastian.  In a flowing move, Sebastian threaded a fine grounder across to the left side for Wei Lit.  Gleefully picking up the ball, Wei Lit moved inwards and his shot was again blocked by their impressive GK, in an eerily resemblance earlier in the match. 

 

This time round, Wei Lit ensured that he came out tops as he picked up the rebound, kept his cool, and thrashed the ball into the net and through the seas of opponents covering the goal mouth area.  6-4 and this was Wei Lit’s 20^th ARFC goal, taking him past both How Meng and ex-player Jesmond (both at 19 goals).

 

Our 4 guest players did very well.  Jeffrey was like a Vidic as stopper, with Allan yet again demonstrating his superb versatility by playing well in 3 different positions (left mid, stopper and centre mid).  Desmond was brilliant with some coverings and passes, while Han Yuan came up with some good moves though he was still unfamiliar with ARFC and its players.

 

Man of the Match has to be Chun Haw.