ARFC in thrilling 3-2 win

In a fast-pace, end-to-end action-packed match at Pioneer SS, ARFC maintained its unbeaten streak in the D2D Div I League after edging out last year’s Div I runners-up Raven 3-2.

The win was witnessed by Anna and Cerine, Elvis and Jinzhong’s beau respectively.

Much to the disappointment of the 77,777 fans, Toh had to withdraw from the match squad in the 11th hour after failing to arrange for someone to take care of his new-born kid. With Guoxiong also out sourcing for stuff for his new matrimonial home, it meant that ARFC had lost half of its defence as Toh and Guoxiong were regulars of the fearsome ARFC defence.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Unbeatable Darren
Sweeper: Astute-reading Elvis
Stopper: Combative Ron
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick (captain)
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Nippy Kenny
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron

The only sub was Speedy Hee who was late.

ARFC was looking to build on the good form of late and immediately set out its stall by stamping its authority on the match. However, Raven did not earn its runners-up position for nothing and was providing stubborn resistance and equal fight.

ARFC nearly opened the scoring after Derrick, who was captaining ARFC for the very 1st time, was put through by Haron. However, he scooped his shot high and wide.

ARFC then took the lead after Kenny was fouled somewhere near the centre mid area. Sebastian showed quick thinking by playing a quick through rolling ball all the way to the path of Alvin and he did not disappoint by side-footing the ball home for his 112th ARFC goal. 1-0

Derrick was giving their left-back a hard time with his right-wing play and he was cruelly fouled for a number of occasions.

In the 20th min, Kenny felt his hamstring tight again and was replaced by Hee, scorer of a hat-trick in the same ground last Sunday.

After missing a couple of good chances, ARFC was punished when Raven scored. 1-1

ARFC did not panic and within minutes, was back in front. Again, Sebastian was the architect when he spotted Haron free just outside the penalty box. With a neat ground pass, Haron took one touch that wrong-footed their defender, moved slightly into the box and unleashed a shot that their keeper could only parry but was unable to prevent the ball from hitting the net. With his 154th ARFC, Haron made amends for missing a hitter just moments earlier when he shot straight at their keeper.

This goal by Haron was also ARFC’s 1050th goal in its history.

Half-time was 2-1.

Probably due to complacency, Raven equalized within minutes of the re-start. 2-2 now.

The match then exploded and provided the fans with plenty of goal-mouth action. A high ball in from the left had Derrick unleashing a volley from the right ala Marco Van Basten in the 1988 European Championship final goal against Soviet Union. The only difference being that Derrick’s volley was tipped over by Raven’s impressive keeper whereas Van Basten’s volley found the net.

Just minutes later, Derrick was again denied when his acrobatic flying scissors kick ala Fernando Torres was again tipped over by their keeper.

Kenny was next to be denied. From a half-cleared corner, Kenny picked up the ball outside the box and thumped in a brilliant shot ala Paul Scholes. Again, their keeper tipped over the bar. ARFC is now wondering how to beat their world-class keeper.

When their keeper was beaten, the woodwork came to Raven’s rescue. First, in a midst of pin-ball fashion, Ron struck the bar. Then, Sebastian deceived the keeper with his ring-wing cross/shot that sailed over the keeper but struck the bar.

Alvin and Hee then missed golden opportunities too.

Raven was not without its moments. They hit the post once and had 2 or 3 good shots well saved by Jinzhong who had a wonderful match.

Haron then turned saviour 7 mins from time, having replaced Hee just 10 mins earlier. Sebastian chipped in a looping ball over to the left wing and in came the sprinting Kenny who reached the ball ahead of their on-rushing keeper. Kenny kicked the ball into the 6-yard box area and the ball then rolled along and there was Haron to prod home his 155th ARFC goal and the match-winning goal. 3-2

Though a very competitive match, it was played in good spirits and credit to both teams for giving the fans a great match to watch.

All ARFC warriors did well in this match but if a Man-of-the-Match award has to be given, it should be jointly-given to Derrick and Blackburn. Derrick had a superb match down the right wing and his wing-play was solely missed by ARFC last season. As for Blackburn, his defensive display, especially in the 2nd half where he shut out their left side, was really a very commendable effort. Blackburn even lasted the whole match and had also dashed back to stop their play on a number of occasions.

As for the overall Man-of-the-Match award, it is fair to say that Raven’s keeper, William, should win this as he almost single-handedly shut out ARFC.

ARFC scorers

Haron - 153 goals
Alvin - 111 goals
Blackburn - 86 goals
Hee - 73 goals
Sebastian - 72 goals
Robin - 69 goals
Tjioe - 52 goals
Jeffrey - 49 goals
Khim - 43 goals
Toh - 36 goals
Kiat - 25 goals
Soon - 24 goals
Tong - 24 goals
David - 23 goals
Derrick - 22 goals
Jiongjiong (ex-player) - 21 goals
Hock - 21 goals
Jesmond (ex-player) - 19 goals
Hwee (ex-player) - 11 goals
Damian - 11 goals
Guoxiong - 10 goals
Edwin - 7 goals
Boon - 7 goals
Elvis - 6 goals
Kenny - 3 goals
Bernard - 3 goals
Andrew - 1 goal
Huiming - 1 goal

5th tournament match details

20 Dec 2009 (Sun)
3 pm = 1500 hrs
Pioneeer Secondary School (again.....)
Bring both colours
Opponent is Raven

Pls e-mail Sebastian of your availability.

Thanks a lot.

Hee's hat-trick

Hee's hat-trick on Sunday is the 3rd time that he has scored hat-trick in a match, allowing him to move level with Blackburn.

ARFC warriors who are ahead of them are:

Alvin - 13 hat-tricks (41 goals);
Robin - 10 hat-tricks (39 goals);
Haron - 10 hat-tricks (34 goals);
Jiongjiong - 4 hat-tricks (14 goals);
Sebastian - 4 hat-tricks (12 goals)

ARFC opened Cup challenge with emphatic 8-1 victory

Propelled by Hee’s hat-trick, ARFC open its D2D Cup 1st round match with an emphatic 8-1 victory over FC Huat. The match was played at Pioneer SS in front of 77,777 fans including Anna and Cerine, Elvis’ and Jinzhong’s beau respectively.

Prior to the match, Hee gave a heart-felt “thank you” speech to ARFC warriors for the kind gesture over the medical fees for his nasty injury just above his left eye. His 7-min speech was so touching that it moved the 77,777 fans to tears.

Special credit to Hee too for turning up despite just having his stitches removed just 77 mins earlier.

ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn (captain)
Right-mid: Talisman Derrick
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Left-mid: Nippy Kenny
Striker: Powerful Alvin

Subs:

Combative Ron (late)
Speedy Hee

Straight off the kick-off, ARFC was in complete total of match proceedings and it looked like ARFC would score its 1st goal which duly arrived in the 7th min. Derrick, who had a great game on right flank, dribbled his way down the right flank. Looking up, he squared the ball across goal for Alvin to arrive unmarked and tap the ball into the empty net for his 111th ARFC goal. 1-0

ARFC doubled its lead just mins later. Tjioe chipped in a delicious ball to Soon who dashed down the left flank and fired in a shot. The ball took a wicked deflection that wrong-footed their keeper for Soon’s 24th ARFC goal. 2-0

Alvin then returned the compliments to Derrick 7 mins later. Using his world-renowned upper body strength, Alvin wriggled free down the left touch-line and squared to Hee. Hee’s shot was blocked by a defender on the line but the rebound went to Derrick who scored with a slight-miscued left-foot shot for his 22nd ARFC goal. 3-0

Hee nearly scored when he broke free and lifted the ball over their on-rushing keeper. Turning away to celebrate, Hee’s jaws dropped to the ground when their keeper incredibly made a speedy (no pun intended) recovery and somehow managed to claw the ball way to safety. Super unlucky but great work by their keeper.

Hee was not to be denied in the 37th min. Ron, who just came in for Kenny, played a superb defence-splitting ball and off goes Hee to fire in his 71st ARFC goal. 4-0

Hee got his 2nd goal in the match when he again latched on to Tjioe’s world-class through ball to side-foot the ball past their keeper for his 72nd ARFC goal. 5-0

During half-time, ARFC was told not to be complacent for fear of being ousted on goal difference.

ARFC got its 6th goal in the match when Toh received a ball from Blackburn about 17 metres outside the penalty box. Looking up, Toh showed Xabi Alonso-like execution when he lifted the ball with razor-sharp precision that just dipped in between the keeper and the cross-bar for his 36th ARFC goal. 6-0

ARFC then conceded a penalty. 6-1

ARFC upped its tempo and Hee finally scored his hat-trick and his 73rd ARFC goal when he received a through ball from Kenny down the left flank. Cutting inwards, Hee simply whacked the ball past their keeper into the top right-hand corner that gave their keeper no chance at all. In fact, the shot was so powerful and sharp that any keeper in the world would not be able to save. 7-1

Alvin and Tjioe then hit the post after some very good work again. Kenny also had a venomous shot saved by their keeper.

ARFC rounded up the score when Blackburn marked his captaincy by doing an almost replica of Toh’s goal. From 37 metres out, he simply ignored all calls for the ball by firing the ball over their keeper that had the crowd screaming goallllllllllllllllllllllllll all the way. 8-1 and it was Blackburn’s 86th ARFC goal.

This was a match where ARFC displayed great team-work, passing and movements. All warriors played very well and the Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to Soon and Ron.

1st Cup match details

13 Dec 09 (Sun)
3 pm = 1500 hrs
Pioneer Secondary School at Jurong West Street 81 (I think)
Bring both colours
Opponent is Huat FC

Pls e-mail Sebastian of your availability.

Thanks a lot

ARFC rues 2 points dropped in 4th tournament match

After 4 tournament matches, ARFC stayed unbeaten after snatching a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against FC Simpang at the poor Sengkang SS pitch. Witnessing the draw were Anna, Cerine and Tracie, WAGS of Elvis, Jinzhong and Guoxiong respectively.

Special credit to Soon for turning up to support despite just finishing the Standard Chartered marathon today in an ARFC record time of 3 hours 27 mins. It's a record time since I don't think any ARFC warrior can better his time in years to come. By the way, Khim's time is 6 hours 10 mins.

Prior to the kick-off, Hee received a trophy from Blackburn for his 70-goal feat for ARFC.

ARFC started with this line-up:

GK - Dependable Jinzhong

DC - Astute reading Elvis (captain)

DC - Towering Toh

DR - Hard-running Guoxiong

DL - Unbeatable Darren

CM - Influential Sebastian

CM - Hardworking Tong

RM - Talisman Derrick

LM - Unpredictable Blackburn

SC - Powerful Alvin

SC - Speedy Hee

Subs:

Nippy Kenny

Combative Ron

Hardman Tjioe

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron (late)

Buoyed by its 3-2 thursday night victory at Tampines SAFRA, ARFC started the match confidently and was able to carve out some chances. The match was just mins old when Hee was left with a nasty cut after an aerial challenge with their keeper and had to be substituted. Kenny came in for him with Blackburn moving upfront.

ARFC nearly took the lead but Derrick's touch from Sebastian's through pass was too heavy. Alvin repeated a similar heavy touch after he was put through on the left. Unlucky!!

FC Simpang then struck the stachion off a corner which was only half-cleared by ARFC.

Alvin could have scored after a defensive mix-up by their keeper and defender but his instinctive shot for the loose ball was slightly wide.

The half ended 0-0.

ARFC fell behind after the opponent scored from the penalty spot after the referee correctly ruled for an infringement. 0-1.

ARFC did not panic and began its search for an equaliser. Tjioe could have been the saviour. From a corner, Toh and Ron caused panic in their box and Tjioe was able to fire in a shot through seas of legs but the ball unfortunately hit the post. Unlucky!!

Derrick was causing all sorts of problems at the left flank but was brutally chopped down by their right-back who earned only a yellow card for 2 offences.

ARFC finally equalised 7 mins from time. Darren, who was unbeatable all day, took a long and quikc throw-in all the way into the box and was picked up by Alvin. Shrugging off 2 defenders, he squared the ball across for Haron but the ball was blocked. Alvin did not give up and swivelled and with a slightly-miscued shot, the ball somehow managed to trickle over the line for his 110th ARFC goal. 1-1

Though a fight-back draw, ARFC was left to rue 2 points dropped rather than 1 point gained.

The Man-of-the-Match is given to Darren though special mention must be given to both Ron and Tjioe as both of them were almost like 2 Russian tanks when they are closing in on opponents. Elvis, Jinzhong, Derrick and Alvin did well too.

After the match, Sebastian acompanied Hee to the clinic where he was given 7 stitches for the nasty cut just above his left-eye. On behalf of ARFC, we wish him a speedy (no pun intended) recovery......

3rd ARFC warrior to be sent off

Towering Toh became only the 3rd ARFC warrior to be sent off after his controversial red card at Tampines SAFRA on Thursday.

Sebastian was the 1st-ever warrior to be sent off after he handled on the goal-line (no choice). Tjioe should be the 2nd warrior after being sent off by the Nigerian "con-man" referee.

Alvin stars in come-from-behind victory

Playing under a very cooling weather at the magnificent artificial pitch at Tampines SAFRA, ARFC recorded a come-from-behind 3-2 victory against a very good team powered by a Messi-lookalike player.

The victory was witnessed by Anna and the lovely wife and daughter of Soon.

ARFC started with this line-up:

GK - Weili (guest keeper from Rendezvous FC);

RB - Hard-running Guoxiong

Sweeper - Elegant Edwin

Stopper - Towering Toh

LB - Astute-reading Elvis

RM - Sublime Khim

CM - Influential Sebastian

CM - Hardworking Tong

LM - Nippy Kenny

SC - Powerful Alvin

SC - Unpredictable Blackburn

Dynamic Soon only arrived after the match started.

ARFC was troubled by their speedy and tricky player whose playing style is exactly like Messi (no joke!). However, ARFC's defence held firm and was ably supported by the midfielders.

In the 20th min mark, Khim asked to be substituted as he was exhausted due to long-term hiatus as a result of his new-born child. In came Soon to thunderous applause from the fans, with Sebastian switching to right-mid.

However, ARFC fell behind after their forward was given too much time and space to turn and shoot past Weili. 0-1.

Toh was cautioned in the 1st half after he sent their player flying with a hard-hitting tackle.

Khim then came back on for Kenny who suffered from cramps in the 30th min.

Blackburn came close on 2 occasions but was unable to score and the half-time remained at 0-1.

ARFC was determined to find an equaliser and it duly arrived in the 57th min. The ball found its way to Kenny, who just came in for Blackburn just minutes earlier, at the left flank. Kenny managed to find some space to fire in a shot that took a wicked deflection and wrong-footed their keeper for his 3rd ARFC goal. 1-1 now.

Strangely enough, ARFC fell behind again almost immediately after their "Messi" broke the off-side trap to tap past Weili. 1-2.

ARFC's desire to find the 2nd equaliser looked to have ended after Toh was given an early shower after being shown the 2nd yellow card for yet another heavy tackle though the decision was really questionable. The opponents, however, sportingly allowed ARFC to put in another player and Blackburn came back on.

Nevertheless, Kenny again succumbed to cramps and was out of the match, leaving ARFC with just 10 warriors.

ARFC's equalised again in the 77th min after Alvin's corner from the left was only half-cleared. Soon latched on to the ball just at the top of the box, eluded their player with a clever switch from right foot to left foot, and then lofted the ball home with his left foot over their despairing keeper for his 22nd goal. Wonderful goal that had his daughter erupting into laughter.

The best was yet to come 7 mins from time. Alvin shielded the ball expertly in the box and managed to wriggle free from their sea of defenders. The ball rolled out to just at the right edge outside the 6-yard box and he lookd to have lost his footing. Thankfully, Soon came from nowhere and side-footed the ball across their keeper and into the far bottom left-hand corner for his 23rd ARFC goal. This time round, his wife and daughter both cheered non-stop for 7 mins.

This was a match where ARFC showed its true character by fighting back from 1-2 down with 10 warriors. In defence, Guoxiong had yet another great game by shutting out their "Messi" rather effectively. The midfield also played one of its best match and Khim provided the skill and composure which the ARFC fans have been missing. Khim also covered at left-back for the latter part of the match after Toh was sent off. Even Blackburn played like the 10 years ago Blackburn. Tong combined well at central mid. Soon was his usual industrious self with his superb harassing and at times, strong tackles. It was really unfortunate that he was pipped to the Man-of-the-Match award by Alvin, who not only caused trouble to their defence throughout, but also put in great efforts to help close down their players. Particularly, his hold-up play that created the winning goal.

4th tournament match details

06 December 2009 (Sun)
3 pm
Sengkang SS at Compassvale Lane (we played there twice before)
Opponent is FC Simpang
Bring both colours

Pls e-mail Sebastian of your availability.