ARFC preserved unbeaten run in 2023 with last-gasp penalty in 2-2 draw

With a last-gasp penalty, ARFC maintained its unbeaten record in its 7 matches played in 2023 to draw 202 with Boca Seniors on 13 Aug 2023 at 3 pm at OTH pitch.

 

ARFC was supported by:

 

·       Athirah – Haron’s youngest daughter

·       Tricia, Clara and Claris – Guoxiong’s family

·       Tiara, Dylan and Gina – Elvis’ family

·       Germaine – Alvin’s daughter

·       Miki and Lucas – Wayne’s family

·       Lien – Zhicong’s beau

 

ARFC welcomed Fremont back after his long-term hand injury.

 

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

 

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

 

Powered by our twin terror forward line, ARFC pegged its opponent back with Alvin pressing them non-stop while Haron displayed some very nice touches and link-up play.

 

ARFC took the lead in the 17^th min thanks to some inventive play from Khim. 

 

Picking up a long goal-kick in the middle of the park, Khim trapped the ball down and moved towards opponent’s goal.  Spotting Haron standing at the top of the box, Khim played a low ball to Haron and ran into the box.  Killing the ball with a great first touch, Haron returned the ball to Khim whose first touch provided space and evaded their defender.  Just when another defender was closing in on Khim, Khim simply placed the ball with his outside right foot to beat their despairing GK.  Wonderful team goal!

 

1-0  and this was Khim’s 64^th ARFC goal.

 

In the 27^th min, ARFC nearly doubled its lead after Soon and Alvin pressed them at the left side. With their GK out of position, the loose ball fell to Chun Haw whose shot hit the right post and the rebound fell very invitingly to Wayne (who had just replaced Haron) just outside the 6-yard box.  Unfortunately, Wayne’s shot was turned away by their GK.  Unlucky!

 

The half ended 1-0 in ARFC’s favour.

 

In the 2^nd half, the opponents scored 2 break-way goals to lead 2-1.

 

ARFC continued to chase an equaliser and Kerwin was close with 2 shots from distance.

 

Alvin then curled a free-kick but was unable to pose difficulty to their GK.

 

Guoxiong was next to deliver a cross from right wing but to no avail.

 

With about 2 mins to go, ARFC was awarded a penalty.

 

Off Kerwin’s long-throw from the right, their defender handled the ball and the referee had no hesitation to point to the spot.

 

Regular penalty-taker Sebastian then passed up the chance and requested Chun Haw to take.

 

Chun Haw then confidently walked up and despatched the penalty to the left that their GK got a touch but could not keep it out. 

 

2-2 and this was Chun Haw’s 109^th ARFC goal.

 

Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Ron and Khim.