ARFC in pulsating 3-3 draw against CJC Alumni team

 

Playing on a Saturday, which was rare, against the CJC Alumni team on 4 March 2023 at 5 pm, ARFC let slipped a 2-0 goal to draw 3-3 in a pulsating match.

 

ARFC was supported by:

 

Tracie, Clara and Claris – Guoxiong’s family

Tiara, Dylan and Gina – Elvis’ family

Miki and Lucas – Wayne’s family

Lien Dinh – Zhi Chong’s “mysterious” beau

 

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

 

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

 

 

Both CJC Alumni and ARFC were evenly matched in the opening exchanges, and chances were at a premium as both sides were sizing and probing each other with some passes and movements.

 

In the 20^th min, ARFC replaced Eng Lai and Soon with Toh and Chua respectively, with Guoxiong moving up to right midfield as Chua took the right back slot.  Chun Haw moved to the centre to partner Sebastian. 

 

The substitutions almost reaped dividends immediately.  Sebastian’s corner from the left was met by the impressive Toh but his header was saved by their GK.  In the ensuing rebound, Haron reacted quickest but his header was also saved by their GK.  Unlucky.

 

ARFC was not to be denied 3 mins later.  Wei Lit, Chun Haw and Haron did well to pressure the opponents into losing the ball.  The ball was picked up by Wayne just right outside the box at the central area.  Instead of shooting, Wayne showed good awareness by spreading the ball out wide to Guoxiong at the right flank, and moved into the penalty box. Killing the ball with a great first touch, Guoxiong delivered a precise cross ala David Beckham and Wayne met the ball beautifully with a world-class glancing header ala Ruud van Niesterooy that saw the ball nestled nicely at the bottom far post with their GK rooted to the spot. 

 

After scoring the goal, Wayne dashed all the way to his lovely wife Miki and even lovelier son Lucas and kissed each of them 7 times on their cheeks.

 

1-0 and this was Wayne’s 56^th ARFC goal.

 

ARFC then suffered a blow when Haron had to limp out after injuring his right leg.  Kerwin then came on to replace him upfront.

 

Kerwin then hi a long range shot from just inside his half but the ball sailed slightly over the bar.

 

Soon then came back on to replace Sebastian with about 7 mins to go before the break.

 

Haron could not reappeared in the second half due to the injury.  Luckily, Tze Ern turned up.

 

ARFC continued its dominance from the re-start.  Darren sent in a world-class ball from the left, ala Andrew Robertson, and Chun Haw made a great move by getting in between their centre backs in the box.  He brought the ball down elegantly, ala Dennis Bergkamp, but his shot was turned away by their GK’s out-stretched legs for a corner.

 

From the resulting corner, Kerwin whipped in a venomous ball that eluded a sea of opponents, and Toh popped up in the penalty box to thump home a fierce volley that gave their GK no chance at all!

 

What a brilliant corner routine!

 

2-0 and this was Toh’s 105^th ARFC goal.

 

Zhi Chong then made a couple of great saves to preserve the 2-goal lead.

 

In a calamitous 15-min spell, ARFC went to sleep and was duly punished by conceding 3 goals!  

 

Particularly, ARFC was seemingly affected by the first goal which was a VERY CLEAR off-side as the scorer was at least 5 metres off-side when the ball was played in which even the opponent’s substitutes agreed as well. 

 

Despite the set-back ARFC did not give up and continue to press for an equaliser which came with about 2 mins to go.

 

Sebastian received a ball in the centre of the park, and switched the ball out wide to Chun Haw.  Looking up, Chun Haw fizzed a wicked cross to the far post, and of all people, Toh popped up in the box to head the ball home for his brace in the match!   Fantastic goal and assist!!!!

 

3-3 and this was Toh’s 106^th ARFC goal. 

 

The last time that Toh netted a brace was on 3 Nov 2019 when ARFC won 4-2 against Old Men United at the Pasir Ris Crest SS pitch.

 

Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Toh and Chun Haw.