ARFC was supported by Elvis’ lovely children (Tiara, Dylan and Gina).
ARFC also handed a debut to Keith, who came highly recommended by scout Guoxiong.
Jeremy also officially joined ARFC after impressing in ARFC’s previous match.
Kudos to both Alvin and Tze Ern for turning up at the 11thhour.
The match was played in 3 30-min periods.
ARFC took to the pitch with this 4-4-2 line-up:
Jersey No.: | Name | Position |
1 | Commanding Jeremy | Goalkeeper |
66 | Vintage Chua | Right back |
20 | Composed Eng Lai | Sweeper |
15 | Towering Toh | Stopper |
8 | Versatile Allan | Left back |
16 | Marauding Guoxiong | Right mid |
4 | Dynamic Soon | Centre Mid |
7 | Influential Sebastian (captain) | Centre Mid |
5 | Energetic Kerwin | Left Mid |
18 | Wonder Wayne | Striker |
24 | Fearless Chong Ghee | Striker |
Substitutes: | ||
2 | Remarkable Rashid |
|
3 | Astute-reading sweeper Elvis |
|
11 | Steely Tze Ern |
|
22 | Elegant Keith |
|
99 | Powerful Alvin |
|
Missing In Action: | ||
6 | Unbeatable Darren |
|
9 | ARFC Scoring Legend Haron |
|
10 | Sublime Khim |
|
14 | Combative Ron |
|
17 | Nippy Kenny |
|
19 | Skillful Wei Lit |
|
21 | Devastating Dominic |
|
23 | Talented Chun Haw |
|
26 | Rampaging Raymond |
|
28 | Hard-man Tjioe |
|
30 | Divine Delon |
|
77 | Robust Hong Lee |
|
79 | Enigma Enoch |
|
88 | Talisman Derrick |
|
98 | Impeccable How Meng |
|
In the first 7 mins, the referee already allowed 3 very clear off-side decisions against ARFC, signalling that ARFC would be in for a long day for the match. Luckily, ARF’s defence, led ably by Eng Lai, kept out all 3 chances.
ARFC then shrugged aside such tough hurdle and began to impose its authority in the match, with Soon at the forefront of things with his relentless pressing, matched by both Wayne and Chong Ghee up front.
ARFC then took the lead in the 17th min. From the left, Kerwin launched a missile-like throw-in that caused mayhem in the box with the ball bouncing twice in the box. With the ball still bouncing up in the air and just outside the 6-yard box area, Soon reacted fastest when he lifted a left-foot ball over their GK and covering defender to give ARFC the lead.
1-0 now and this was Soon’s 99th ARFC goal.
Chong Ghee was then put through on goal from Jeremy’s long-kick but he was cruelly wrestled to the ground by their sweeper and incredulously, the referee just brandished a yellow-card.
[Note: Just before the issuance of the yellow card, Sebastian, in his capacity as the Captain, had actually told the referee that ARFC would still allow a replacement even if the red card was given, as it was just a friendly match.]
From the resulting free-kick, Sebastian blasted into row Z.
7 mins later, the referee again allowed a clear off-side and this time round, the opponents equalised. 1-1
Kerwin then fired a free-kick into the wall which was clearly less than 10 yards, again another dubious decision to favour the EA team.
The first 30-min period ended 1-1.
In the second 30-min period, ARFC made a slew of changes with all 5 subs coming in, in particular Keith making his ARFC debut.
Keith immediately made an impact when he made a cross-field low ball for Kerwin to run in from deep. With a great first touch, Kerwin pulled away from their covering defender before slotting home a grounder past their GK to restore ARFC’s lead.
2-1 now and this was Kerwin’s 17th ARFC goal, putting him on level terms with Ron.
The referee then awarded another contentious decision by awarding a penalty against ARFC.
Justice prevailed, however, when Jeremy saved their penalty. Superb work from Jeremy!
Jeremy’s save seemed to inspire ARFC who were now playing with renewed fire in their bellies.
Tze Ern broke clear on the left and drew their GK out. Tze Ern then passed to Chong Ghee whose lifted shot was turned away by their GK who made a stunning recovery run.
From the corner on the right, Rashid played a short one to Kerwin who returned the ball to Rashid. In a swift move, Rashid showcased his magical left foot when he swung in a world-class curling ball, ala Mo Salah, into the far left corner of the net, giving their GK no chance at all! Brilliant and totally eye-catching ball!!!
3-1 and this was Rashid’s 7th ARFC goal, same as ex-ARFC warrior Jinzhong.
Keith then dribbled in from right, beat a few players but his ferocious shot struck the cross-bar.
ARFC extended its lead with yet another laser-like corner from Rashid. His corner was hit with such precision, ala David Beckham, to the 6-yard box and Wayne was the biggest beneficiary when he shrugged off their defender to simply thump home a superb header!
4-1 and this was Wayne’s 62nd ARFC goal.
The 2nd 30-min period ended 4-1.
In the last 30-min period, Alvin then missed 2 sitters as first, he lifted the ball wide from a gaping goal. Then, he somehow blasted the ball over the bar when he was totally unmarked in the box, similar to Derrick’s incredible miss few years ago at East Spring Sec Sch.
Alvin was again unlucky when his curling free-kick hit the left post and bounced out.
The referee then made the worst of the worst decision when he disallowed Kerwin’s quickly-taken free-kick after Chong Ghee was fouled yet again. Kerwin did not ask for the wall and he quickly whipped the ball into the unguarded net as the opponents was forming the wall. Incredulously, the referee said that it was his decision to wait for the wall to be formed, we should not have taken the quick free-kick and disallowed the goal!!!!
The opponents then pulled 2 goals back, without the help of the referee, to create a nervy ending to the match. ARFC, however, held on for a very deserving 4-3 victory.
This was a match where all ARFC warriors played well.
Other than his penalty save, Jeremy came up with about 5 stops to keep the opponents at bay.
Eng Lai and Elvis led the defence very well, with Toh swallowing up every aerial balls.
Chua, Guoxiong and Allan guarded the flank every well, with Allan probably unbeatable at all. [Note: Darren – You just found a worthy successor to your nickname ‘Unbeatable’]
Keith made an impressive debut, and Kerwin and Tze Ern performing admirably at wing positions and then striker and left back respectively at certain stages of the match.
Rashid was at his best with his deliveries and Sebastian was his usual self with the organising of the team and its shape.
Up front, Wayne, Chong Ghee, Alvin and Kerwin were really unbelievable with their incessant pressing of their defence and helping out at midfield. Particularly for Chong Ghee, his pressing and bravery bears uncanny resemblance to the younger Alvin in his heyday. It was also great to see Alvin slowly getting back to his groove with his powerful outing, and Wayne did extremely well with his holding up too.
Kerwin continued his impressive displays and it was really great to see him developing into and becoming a key player for ARFC.
This leaves me to Soon who is clearly the Man-of-the-Match (though both Rashid and Allan came very close). His energy, reading and closing down of opponents and spaces were something that ARFC had benefitted all these years, and will surely continue to benefit in years to come.
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