Kicking off its playing calendar in 2023, and playing its 34th Veterans match overall, ARFC Veterans was badly hit by insufficient substitutes, made worse by the Sahara Desert-like weather, and succumbed 3-4 to Marine Sunday on 8 Jan 2023 at 3 pm.
Prior to the kick-off, ARFC Veterans received a huge blow when ARFC all-time top scorer Alvin was ruled out with a right knee injury. To compound matters, ARFC’s 7-lung workhorse Soon was late.
At the request of the opponents, the match was played in three 30-min halves.
ARFC Veterans started with this 4-4-2 line-up:
GK – Sunny (guest GK)
RB – Chua
Sweeper – Elvis
Stopper – Toh
LB – Eng Lai
RM – Guoxiong
CM – Tjioe
CM – Sebastian (captain)
LM – Darren
SC – Kenny
SC – Haron
Subs:
Ron
Soon (late)
ARFC veterans had the upper hands in the opening exchanges and Haron nearly put ARFC veterans ahead.
In the 7th min, Guoxiong sent in a cross from the right and Haron dashed in to connect with a glancing header but their GK was equal to the task when he turned the ball over for a corner.
The opponents then scored. 0-1.
Sebastian then suffered a nasty knock to his head when their burly striker struck his head with a late aerial challenge. Thankfully, there were no cuts or blood and Sebastian continued to play.
ARFC Veterans equalised 7 mins later. Eng Lai did well to bring the ball out from his left back position and passed to Tjioe in the middle of the pitch just inside our half. Tjioe threaded a low ball right through the heart of the opponents for Kenny to run in from deep. Distracted by Kenny’s run for the ball, their GK inexplicably kicked the air and the ball then rolled into the empty net. 1-1 and this was Tjioe’s 71st ARFC goal.
Sebastian then signalled for a change as he felt the effects and Ron came on to replace him.
From yet another brilliant cross from Guoxiong on the right, Haron met the ball perfectly with a crisp right foot volley but again, their GK denied Haron with a low sprawling save with his foot. Unlucky Haron!
The opponents then scored. 1-2 now.
In the second 30-min half, Soon came on to partner Sebastian.
In the 37th min, ARFC Veterans equalised for the 2nd time in the match. Darren was fouled in the left wide area and the referee awarded a free-kick. Sebastian stepped up and whipped in a wicked curling ball that saw Darren running in and meeting the ball first with a well-planted header that gave their GK no chance at all. 2-2 and this was Darren’s 28th ARFC goal.
7 mins later, ARFC Veterans took the lead for the first time in the match. Darren dribbled in from left before leaving the ball for Sebastian who was just inside the centre circle in his own half. Both Haron and Kenny shouted for the ball, and Sebastian duly obliged with a chipped low ball in. Haron and Kenny then showed telepathic understanding when Haron left the ball for Kenny to latch on. Kenny then passed the ball to his left for Haron who expertly drew out their GK before unselfishly squaring the ball back to Kenny to drill the ball into the bottom left corner. 3-2 and what a superb team goal.
This was Kenny’s 88th ARFC goal.
ARFC Veterans then had the chance to extend its lead. Kenny broke clear down the left and passed the ball to Guoxiong on the right. With their GK to beat, Guoxiong hesitated and eventually saw his powerful shot deflected away by their GK.
The opponents then equalised 3-3.
In the last 30-min half, ARFC Veterans were obviously tiring and it was no surprise that the opponents, with younger and more players, scored another goal to win 4-3.
These are the top 5 scorers only for ARFC Veterans’ 34 matches:
1. Raymond – 18 goals
2. Haron – 15 goals
3. Darren – 13 goals
4. Sebastian – 12 goals
5. Soon – 11 goals
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