Finally, after the covid-19 pandemic caused havoc throughout the world, ARFC played its first match in more than 742 days (our last match was on 15 March 2020) came away with a victorious 5-2 score-line over Elites FC.
The match was also played on a grass pitch at Deyi SS which was at least more than 7 years since we played on such surface.
Our new ARFC jerseys also made its debut, more than 2 years after they were made!
ARFC started with this 4-4-2 line-up:
Jersey No.: | Name | Position |
1 | Flying Fremont | Goalkeeper |
78 | Steely Tze Ern | Right back |
3 | Astute-reading sweeper Elvis | Sweeper |
5 | Impeccable How Meng | Stopper |
13 | Energetic Kerwin | Left back |
16 | Marauding Guoxiong | Right mid |
4 | Dynamic Soon | Centre Mid |
7 | Influential Sebastian (captain) | Centre Mid |
19 | Skillful Weilit | Left Mid |
8 | Talented Chun Haw | Striker |
66 | Wonder Wayne | Striker |
Substitutes: | ||
9 | ARFC Scoring Legend Haron |
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14 | Combative Ron |
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31 | Vintage Chua |
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33 | Talisman Derrick |
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Missing In Action: | ||
2 | Unpredictable Blackburn |
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6 | Unbeatable Darren |
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8 | Precocious Javier |
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10 | Sublime Khim |
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11 | Speedy Hee |
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12 | Remarkable Rashid |
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15 | Towering Toh |
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17 | Nippy Kenny |
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18 | Determined Huiming |
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20 | Composed Eng Lai |
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21 | Rampaging Raymond |
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28 | Hard-man Tjioe |
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77 | Dependable Jinzhong |
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99 | Powerful Alvin |
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After some initial rusty touches, which were perfectly understandable, ARFC drew first blood in the 7th min.
How Meng, who was clearly Man-of-the-Match and did not put a foot wrong throughout the match, hit a long ball over the top down the right flank. Tze Ern, who was similar brilliant in the match, sprinted down the right flank before squaring a low ball across the box. The ball eluded the opponents and Wayne made an instinctive run into the box to tap the ball into the empty net. 1-0 and this was Wayne’s 53rd ARFC goal, putting him on level terms with Jeffrey.
Weilit, who was fouled at least 7 times in the match as the opponents could not keep up with his dribbles, nearly scored but his scuffed shot was turned away by their GK for a corner. Unlucky!
In the 17th min, ARFC doubled its lead. Kerwin’s powerfully-driven cross from the right was adjudged to be handled by their defender by the Nigerian referee. Sebastian then stepped up and as per the SOP all these years, hit the penalty low to the left bottom spot of the goal frame, giving their GK no chance at all.
2-0 and Sebastian was now at 118 ARFC goals, edging ahead of He’s 117 ARFC goals to move into 4th position in ARFC’s all-time scoring charts.
Tze Ern then made a world-class recovery tackle when he managed to nick the ball away to concede a corner, just before their striker could pull the trigger in the box when clean through.
ARFC nearly scored another goal. Sebastian hit a free-kick towards the far post and Ron expertly headed the ball back across goal. Unfortunately, no one was there to stab the ball home.
Elvis and Ron also came up with several vital interceptions, as with Guoxiong who ensured that their young speedy players could not get past him.
Derrick then made a sudden appearance during the half-time break and promptly took the field, replacing Weilit.
Fremont also gamely played on though he injured his finger in the first half.
Almost immediately after the re-start, Derrick made a telling contribution. Chua, who was at his vintage reliable self, played in Derrick from his right back position. Derrick took a good first touch before conjuring a piercing pass into the penalty box for Chun Haw. Needing no second invitation, Chun Haw slotted the ball past their GK for his 92nd ARFC goal. 3-0
The opponents then pulled a goal back after the Nigerian referee bizarrely blew a foul against Kerwin. 3-1.
Kerwin then took over Fremont at goal after the latter could bear the pain no more.
Kerwin also produced a great finger point save to turn their shot away for a corner.
ARFC then notched its 4th goal in the match after some intense gegen pressure ala Liverpool from Chua, Soon, Sebastian and Derrick. The ball rolled to Chun Haw outside the box and looking up, Chun Haw unleashed a pile-driver from distance to beat their GK. 4-1 and this was Chun Haw’s 93rd ARFC goal, same as Soon.
The Nigerian referee then awarded another penalty, albeit a very correct decision, which was converted by the opponents. 4-2.
Kerwin kept the score down after he got down sharply to deny them a certain goal.
7 mins before the end, Chun Haw grabbed his hat-trick. Weilit was again fouled by the opponents almost right at the line at the left side. Chun Haw floated a long-range vicious free-kick which beat their GK easily. 5-2 and this was Chun Haw’s 94th ARFC goal, edging past the ever-energetic Soon who pressed the opponents non-stop throughout.
This was also Chun Haw’s 9th ARFC hat-trick (a total of 28 goals).
With almost the last kick of the match, Haron nearly scored a goal. How Meng chipped in a ball from the right and Haron read the move perfectly, as always. Alas, his brilliant flying header was just glanced 0.9 mm wide of the left post! Super unlucky but what a move!
The good thing is that every ARFC warriors came away unscathed (except Fremont) which was nice to see especially after more than 2 years away.
ARFC’s top-10 goal-scorers:
1. Alvin – 335 goals
2. Haron – 272
3. Blackburn – 164
4. Sebastian – 118
5. Hee – 117
6. Derrick – 113
7. Toh – 103
8. Chun Haw – 94
9. Soon – 93
10. Kenny – 84
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