KJ inspires ARFC's 4-3 victory

 Playing at the magnificent pitch at Westwood Sec Sch for the 2^nd consecutive Sunday at 3 pm, ARFC showed tremendous determination and never-give-up spirit to edge out Mixed FC 4-3.

 

ARFC was hit by poor responses and had to call up 3 guest players.

 

ARFC took to the pitch with this 4-4-1-1 line-up:

 

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

 

 

ARFC came out firing in all cylinders and the opponents simply had no answers on how to contain ARFC.

 

Within 7 mins, ARFC created 3 golden chances but were also spurned.  First, KJ wriggled his way down the left flank and crossed to the far post.  The ball found its way to Guoxiong on the right flank, with Chun Haw making an incisive run into the box.  Guoxiong read his move perfectly and passed a low ball to him.  Chun Haw then turned and hit a crip shot that beat their GK easily but unfortunately, it struck the post and out for a goal kick.

 

Darren then embarked on a Andy Robertson-like overlapping run that left their right back chasing after his shadows.  However, Chun Haw only managed to slice a header just wide from Darren’s hanging cross.

 

From Soon’s sumptuous through ball, Chun Haw just could not get a clean connection but his meek shot was easily gathered by their GK.

 

ARFC was then made to pay for its profligacy when the opponents from a quick counter-attack. 0-1

 

The goal only seemed to spur ARFC on and within 3 mins, ARFC equalised.  From the right, Kerwin sent in a missile-like long throw, al Rory Delap, into the box.  Chun Haw jumped together with the defender and the ball was somehow back-flicked into goal.

 

Initially, it was adjudged to be an own goal but after review, the goal was credited to Chun Haw.  1-1 and this was Chun Haw’s 101^st ARFC goal.

 

5 mins later, ARFC took the lead.  Sebastian won the ball in the middle of the pitch, and passed to Alvin who was lurking outside the box.  With a great first touch, Alvin shifted the ball to his right, looked up and lofted a high curling ball over their GK that saw the ball landed nicely at the top right corner of the goal.  2-1 and this was Alvin’s 339^th ARFC goal.

 

Strangely enough, the opponents scored another break-away goal to go into the half at 2-2.

 

7 mins after the re-start, the opponents scored yet another goal from a counter-attack.  2-3 now.

 

At this juncture ARFC was staring at another defeat on the same pitch.  

 

Refusing to give up, ARFC warriors all stepped up a notch, epitomised by Soon who gave his all till he cannot run anymore.

 

Wei Lit delivered a great pass to Chun Haw who carried the ball into the box on the right.  With their GK to beat, Chun Haw inexplicably drilled the ball into the side-netting.

 

Nigel, who did well as a striker, was brutally hacked down just outside the penalty box.  Kerwin stepped up but fired his shot into the wall.  Picking up the rebound, his 2^nd shot was also blocked by the wall.

 

Mins later, Sebastian nearly drew level.  After a series of shots and blocks, the ball was bouncing just at the edge of the centre of the penalty box.  Sebastian latched onto the ball and smashed a jumping volley that saw the ball just whistled past the right post. Unlucky!

 

At this point, Soon succumbed to his slight injury and was replaced by Guoxiong.  This provided a pivotal moment as Guoxiong would now sit deep in centre mid, allowing Sebastian to attack at will.

 

ARFC continued to attack but to no avail until KJ produced a moment of magic and inspiration.  The ball was way overhit to him down the left.  However, KJ did not give up and continued to chase after the ball.  He won the ball not once but twice, and KJ was now almost at the left touchline.  KJ then passed to Alvin who then squared to Sebastian who was standing at the top of the penalty box.  Sebastian sold their defender with a dummy and was faced with another defender, with the unmarked Guoxiong calling for the ball on the right side.  

 

Sebastian wanted to pass to Guoxiong but after hearing a call from Chun Haw, who was drifting in from the left, Sebastian did a reverse no-look pass to him.  Picking up the ball, Chun Haw moved towards his right and their GK quickly charged out. Using his experience, Chun Haw tried to round their GK but was hacked to the floor. 

 

Up stepped Sebastian duly stroked the ball down and low to the usual spot, i.e bottom left corner.  3-3 and this was Sebastian’s 124^th ARFC goal.

 

The match looked headed for a draw but Alvin had other ideas.  In the dying moments of the match, Alex won a ball on the right and passed to ZZ. Running in with the ball into the right hand side of the penalty box, ZZ then squared the ball to Alvin. Killing the ball with a brilliant touch, Alvin swivelled and planted the ball home, off the left post, for the winning goal.  4-3 and this was Alvin’s 340^th ARFC goal.

 

Man-of-the-Match is jointly given to KJ and Alvin.

Chun Haw reached 100 ARFC goals in creditable 1-3 loss to Mogura FC (Japanese team)

 Playing at the magnificent pitch at Westwood Sec Sch, ARFC came unstuck against a very mobile and fit Japanese team, Mogura FC, but was unfortunate to lose 1-3 on 5 Jun 2022 at 3 pm. 

 

ARFC took to the pitch with this 4-4-1-1 line-up:

 

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

 

Special mention to Wayne who came down to play despite carrying a groin strain.

 

In the pre-match briefing, Sebastian cautioned that a typical Japanese team would likely be fit, full of running and good passing movements.  True enough, Mogura FC displayed the above traits throughout the match.

 

However, ARFC was not overawed and matched the opponents pace to pace and produced some good closing down of opponents, with good covering from the midfielders, particularly from KJ. 

In the 15^th min, ARFC nearly took the lead from a free-kick taken by Sebastian.  Darren did well to connect with a header but their GK was equal to the task with a save.

 

In the 17^th min, Mogura FC then took the lead off a mistake from ARFC. 0-1.

 

3 mins later, ARFC equalised. From a Guoxiong pass into the box, Chun Haw forced a corner after his shot was blocked by their defender. From the ensuing corner from the right, Sebastian floated in a precise corner into the box and Chun Haw leaped highest to nod the ball home for his 100^th ARFC goal!   1-1

 

The goal also allowed Chun Haw to join the prestigious ARFC Centurion Club which only has 8 warriors as follows:

 

1.    Alvin – 338 goals

2.    Haron – 274 goals

3.    Blackburn – 164 goals

4.    Sebastian – 123 goals

5.    Hee – 117 goals

6.    Derrick – 113 goals

7.    Toh – 103 goals

8.    Chun Haw – 100 goals

 

Alvin then replaced Wayne and he almost made a telling contribution but his shot was straight at their GK.

 

Wei Lit then came on for Guoxiong.   

 

ARFC finished the half strongly and could have taken the lead with almost the last kick of the half.  From a flowing move, Wei Lit passed to Alvin down the left channel.  Alvin held the ball up well before sweeping the ball to Chun Haw who had made a run from deep ala Paul Scholes.  Alas, Chun Haw’s left foot shot was under-hit and their relieved GK managed to smoother the ball.

 

In the 2^nd half, Mogura FC slowly gained the upper hand as firstly, they had at least 7 substitutes and also appeared to be fitter than ARFC.  ARFC held its shape well, with Soon playing an instrumental role.

 

Mogura FC then regained its lead in the 57^th min. 1-2.

 

7 mins later, Mogura FC looked to have put the result to bed when it extended its lead. 1-3.

 

Derrick then kept the scoreline down with 2 crucial blocks with his legs.

 

At this juncture, every one thought that ARFC would be dead and buried.  However, with pride at stake, all ARFC warriors then seemed to summon extra energy and pressed Mogura FC non-stop and created 3 golden chances which went abegging.

 

 

In the 70^th min, Sebastian sliced through the heart of Mogura FC’s defence with his trade-mark “no-look” pass to Alvin who sprinted clear.  However, Alvin’s first touch was a tad too heavy and their GK thumped the ball upfield before Alvin can fire his shot.

 

Then, Chun Haw broke clear down the right from Wei Lit’s clever pass. His shot was blocked by their GK and the rebound fell kindly to Chun Haw.  Unfortunately, Chun Haw skewed his shot just slightly wide of the right post.

 

Soon then found Alvin free in the box and with just the GK to beat, Alvin inexplicably hit a tame shot that was saved by their GK’s outspread leg.

 

Moments later, it was 3^rd time unlucky for Alvin as he was again denied by their GK.  Wayne then tried to back-heel the rebound into goal but their GK recovered to pick up the ball.

 

Other than this 1-3 loss against Mogura FC, ARFC’s previous matches and results against the same opponents are as follows:

 

·       6 Sep 2015 at St. Wilfrid’s – Won 3-1 with 2 goals from Khim and 1 goal from Raymond

 

·       15 Oct 2017 at Bedok View SS – won 4-2 with 2 goals each from Wayne and Alvin

 

·       21 Jan 2018 at Yio Chu Kang SS – Lost 0-7

 

 

This was a match that ARFC did very well despite the superior fitness, passing and movements from Mogura FC.

 

ARFC’s efforts were really top-notch and it was certainly more satisfying for ARFC than some easy wins over other inferior opponents

 

Players’ ratings:

 

1.    Derrick – Made 2-3 good saves and handling was assured.  Unlucky to concede 3 goals though.

 

2.    Chua – Despite being at least 20 years older than their fast and young left winger, Chua kept up with him even when outnumbered.  Good outing!

 

3.    How Meng – Did not give their striker any chance at all and towards the last 20 mins or so, moved slightly upfield to close down the opponents to seize the initiative.

 

4.    Kerwin – After a slightly nervy start, Kerwin grew in strength and contained the opponents by full utilising his strength and speed.  Held the fort extremely well when How Meng moved upfield in the later stages.

 

5.    Darren – Often faced with 1-2 opponents on his flank, Darren did not let them get past him at all during the match.  Joint Man-of-the-Match with Soon.

 

6.    Guoxiong – Covered Chua well when at right mid, and matched their left winger when at right back. 

 

7.    Soon – A typical Mascherano-like display and the opponents could not cope with his pressing at all.  How nice if there is one more Ah Soon in ARFC!   Joint Man-of-the-Match with Darren.

 

8.    Sebastian – Assisted Chun Haw’s 100^th ARFC goal with yet another laser-sharp corner.  Was severely tired out by Mogura FC’s switching and passing.  Suffered a knock at his forehead which is still swollen on Monday.

 

9.    KJ – Ran himself to the ground with good defensive and attacking performance. A brilliant display.

 

10. Chun Haw – All-action display and was not unlucky not to score more than his one goal.  A proud milestone with his 100^th ARFC goal.

 

11. Wayne – Did his best by holding ball well despite groin strain.  Nearly scored with his back-heel in the dying moments of the match.

 

12. Wei Lit – Looked a bit tired but managed to mesmerise opponents with his skills and passes. 

 

13. Alvin – Closing down of opponents and his ability to find space for himself were world-class.  Really unfortunate not to score at least a goal.