In a match played under searing heat on a almost-perfect pitch ITE Balestier, ARFC bounced back from last week’s demoralizing defeat with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over a team that kept the ball quite well. Naturally, the crowd was the usual 77,777 fanatical and flag-bearing fans.
ARFC’s potential sponsor was supposed to turn up but due to last-minute work commitment, she was unable to make it. ARFC also received a crushing blow when sublime Khim was ruled out with a swollen hand. His absence, however, was somewhat cushioned by the returning quick-silver Derrick, who returned to Singapore last night after a 5-month attachment at FC Mindanao of the Philippines sponsored by ARFC.
Dependable Jinzhong started in goal, with astute-reading Elvis, Towering Toh, determined Huiming and hardworking Tong as the defence. In the midfield, left-foot wizard Bernard and WO Neo took up left and right flank respectively, with hard-man Tjioe and influential Sebastiano at the centre. As usual, ARFC’s frontline was the fearsome ARFC scoring legend Haron and Speedy Hee. On the subs bench of ARFC, the names would send shivers down every team’s spines – quick-silver Derrick, powerful Alvin, unpredictable Blackburn, entrepreneur Guoxiong and Kiat Gulam.
The experienced opponent started the game with its well-worked passes and possession. ARFC nevertheless kept its shape and refused to be cowed by them. With the forwards and midfielders harassing them no end, the opponents soon started making mistakes. ARFC also spurned a couple of chances before taking the lead in the 17th min.
Picking up the ball down the left flank, ARFC scoring legend looked up and chipped in a well-measured ball into the 6-yard area. WO Neo ran from deep and bravely headed the ball into the empty net before being KO by their slow keeper. The 77,777 fans all rose with grave concern on their faces as WO Neo layed down for a good 77 seconds. The fans looked relief when WO Neo eventually stood up and celebrated his goal which was his 46 ARFC goals. His lovely daughter can be seen jumping up and down at the sidelines, celebrating his dad’s courageous goal.
The opponent drew level 7 minutes later. Despite their best efforts at trying to keep out their tall and strong forward, our defence failed which led to him laying the ball to their unmarked forward. His shot was partially parried by dependable Jinzhong but the ball just triggled over the line by a mere 0.77 cm. Unlucky!!! 1-1 now.
ARFC restored its lead 7 minutes later. Quick-silver Derrick, who had replaced hard-working Tong earlier, received the ball on the left-side of the pitch. He skipped past 2 defenders and was cruelly brought down by them, earning ARFC a direct free-kick. Influential Sebastiano took his time, ran up and curled in the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net that gave their keeper no chance at all!!! 2-1 and this was his 47th ARFC goal. Upon the goal, lots of hot and young bikini-clad babes were heard screaming his name and started throwing their tongs and mobile numbers onto the pitch sideline.
Just seconds before the half-time, unpredictable Blackburn, who replaced astute-reading Elvis as sweeper, cleared the ball to the unmarked quick-silver Derrick on the left-side of our half. Picking up the ball, quick-silver Derrick embarked on a mazing run that took him past 2 defenders, ala Roberto Baggio’s goal in Italia 90. His shot proved too powerful and their keeper could only parry into the net. 3-1 and this was his 8th ARFC goal!
About 7 minutes into the second half, determined Huiming made a crucial block after another mistake by unpredictable Blackburn. Refused to give up, determined Huiming followed their forward like a leech and made a crucial block which could have allowed the opponent to launch a comeback.
ARFC was determined to put last week’s debacle behind them. All ARFC warriors played their hearts out and they were well-applauded and appreciated by the fans.
Dependable Jinzhong made some routine but important saves, astute-reading Elvis was in his usual self with some intelligent interceptions. Towering Toh, as usual, was dominant in the air and gave their equally-good forward no room at all. Left-foot wizard Bernard was effective at left-back/left-mid but was guilty of 2 foul-throws which is unacceptable to the esteemed ARFC and its fans. Unpredictable Blackburn had one of his good game with timely clearance. Enterpreneur Guoxiong made a mickey of their veteran left-back with so many forays down the right flank and good deliveries. Hard-working Tong and hard-man Tjioe made influential Sebastiano’s job so easy with their constant harassing and strength. Kiat Gulam, despite his aging legs, still contributed with several important interceptions and several direct long balls to the forwards. WO Neo has one of his best games with his play and of course the courageous goal. Quick-silver Derrick’s presence added another useful dimension to ARFC’s play and greatly compensated for sublime Khim’s absence. Speedy Hee, powerful Alvin and ARFC scoring legend Haron were very effective today with their constant closing down of their defenders, and their intelligent link-up play, speed and power. In fact, when choosing which forwards to put in every match, I always have a splitting headache on deciding which two will lead the forward line.
This leaves us with determined Huiming, who in my opinion is clearly the Man-of-the-Match. Often in a unglam position, he always stayed in the defence to pick up the messes created by ARFC’s midfielders and fellow-defenders. He also would never give up on their midfielders/forwards who are threatening ARFC’s goal. His importance to the team was clearly felt in last week’s crushing defeat by Raven, where he was loaned to them.
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