Playing its 2nd Veterans match in 2024, and playing its 37th Veterans match overall, ARFC Veterans was let down by poor attendance (only 1 sub) which was the main cause of its 2-5 defeat by CAPS FC on 13 Oct 2024 at 9 am at Tampines SAFRA.
ARFC Veterans started with this 4-5-1 line-up:
GK – Derrick
RB – Chua
Sweeper – Elvis
Stopper – Toh
LB – Darren
RM – Guoxiong
CM – Tjioe
CM – Sebastian (captain)
CM - Soon
LM – Tze Ern
SC – Haron
Subs:
Alvin
ARFC Veterans started very brightly with Tjioe finding Haron in the box in quick succession on 2 occasions. Alas, Haron could not capitalise.
From Toh’s clever flick-on, the ball rolled outside the box but Sebastian just could not keep his shot down when he fired over to row 77.
In another flowing move, Sebastian picked up a ball from the impressive Guoxiong and faked a shot before releasing Tze Ern who came charging in like a bull from the left. Unfortunately, Tze Ern’s fierce shot struck the left post and out fir a goal kick.
With their first attack of the match, the opponents scored! 0-1.
ARFC Veterans was unfazed and found an equaliser 7 minutes later. Alvin was the architect as he floated in a sumptuous ball from a free kick on the left. Both Toh and Darren challenged for the ball which then bounced just right in front of their GK. Just as their GK was going to catch the ball, Haron had other ideas as he launched himself forward bravely and headed the ball home!! Brilliant courageous goal from Haron.
1-1 and this was his 16th ARFC Veterans goal, and 282nd ARFC goals overall.
With virtually the last kick of the half, Toh nearly scored after Soon found him just outside the box. However, Toh volleyed the ball over to row 15.
In the second half, Derrick produced 2 saves to keep the scoreline at 1-1.
in the 57th min, ARFC Veterans took the lead with a smooth team move.
From the middle of the park, Sebastian hit a slide-rule pass down the right and Guoxiong sprinted in from deep down the right flank. At the same time, Haron started his run which Guoxiong spotted. Looking up, Guoxiong hit a perfect sizzling ball from the right and Haron executed a even more perfect move when he expertly placed the ball to the right side of the post, after he glanced that their GK was moving to the left of the post in anticipation.
Their GK was left rooted to his spot from Haron’s clever placing shot ala Mo Salah.
2-1 and this was Haron’s 283rd ARFC goal and 17th ARFC Veterans goal.
ARFC Veterans was still controlling the match until a pivotal moment when the opponents somehow equalised.
At this juncture, ARFC Veterans was almost totally flat with Chua feeling unwell and Alvin suffering a dead leg. For the last 15 minutes of the match, ARFC Veterans was even down to just 10 players to see out the match. the Sahara Desert-like weather also did not help at all.
Not meant to be an excuse, but if we just have another 3-4 substitutes, we could have easily won as the opponents is not really that good.
It was hence no surprise that the opponents, comprising at least 4 very young players and with at least 8 substitutes, went on to score 3 more goals to win 5-2.
Man of the Match is Guoxiong.
The sad news is that Chua was admitted to A&E for his condition but the good news is that nothing bad happened in the end.
Thank you all for your kind contribution to Chua! ARFC Team Spirit!
These are the top 5 scorers only for ARFC Veterans’ 37 matches:
- Raymond – 19 goals
- Haron – 17 goals
- Darren – 13 goals
- Sebastian – 13 goals
- Soon – 12 goals
These are the top 5 scorers for all ARFC’s 706 matches:
- Alvin - 366 goals
- Haron – 283 goals
- Blackburn – 164 goals
- Sebastian – 130 goals
- Chun Haw – 118 goals
