In a match played on fine but a bit sunny weather at St.Wilfred’s artificial pitch, ARFC overcome DSTA 3-1 in front of the near-capacity crowd of 100,777 fervent fans.
Prior to the kick-off, ARFC Board of Directors received news that ARFC fans would turn out in full force to thank all ARFC warriors for their 2nd place finish in the Classiq League 2006. Also, it is the last match of 2006 and the fans would like to show their appreciation to all warriors for giving them a good year. Hence, David Mak (father of Marco Mak), a prominent ARFC Director, quickly called up the Traffic Police to control the traffic and also got his students to help as volunteers. Kiat Gulam, another illustrious ARFC Director but was absent, arranged for 77 giant screens to show the match live outside the stadium while determined Huiming, the last ARFC Director, managed to convince all the coffee-shop owners, food-courts and S-11 outlets to beam the match live. Used-to-be-speedy right-back Boon, entrepreneur Guoxiong and hard-working Tong also gave out their calling cards for special rates on housing loans, mobile phone purchases and make-up services respectively.
Encouraged by the huge turnout and support, ARFC was determined to put up a good show. Starting with dependable Jinzhong in goal, the defence was marshaled by astute-reading sweeper Elvis with Towering Toh shielding him. Left-foot wizard Bernard and determined Huiming complete the defence. Sublime Khim, who turned up with a new pair of boots sponsored by ARFC, was at left flank while hard-working Tong was at the opposite flank. Sebastiano and hard-man Tjioe guarded the centre with powerful Alvin and Speedy Hee leading the front-line. The subs were quick-silver Derrick, entrepreneur Guoxiong, who forego $7,777 revenue to play in this match, reliable David Mak (father of Marco Mak), unpredictable Blackburn and used-to-be-speedy right-back Boon who was late as he was busy negotiating with Dennis Foo till late last night to allow all ARFC warriors free entry to St. James Power House as a reward.
ARFC quickly stamped its authority over the opponents but was let down by a couple of dubious refereeing calls. However, ARFC then steadied itself and started displaying their brand of attractive football known to all the 100,777 fans.
In the 17th min, a horrendous mis-clearance by their player after some harassing work by ARFC warriors resulted the ball landing at powerful Alvin’s foot. Pushing the ball forward, powerful Alvin outran their back-peddling defender and leashed home a powerful shot measuring at 177 km/hr, giving their keeper completely no chance at all. 1-0 and this was his 16th goal for ARFC.
7 minutes later, ARFC doubled its lead. A brilliant ball from unpredictable Blackburn, who just replaced speedy Hee, released powerful Alvin down the left flank. Looking up, powerful Alvin squared the ball across the goal-mouth and quick-silver Derrick, who just came in minutes earlier, come from behind to stab the ball home for his 7th ARFC goal. 2-0 and the stadium was rocking with all the feet-trampling ala Kallang Roar by the fans.
In the 27th min, a superb overlapping run down the flank by left-foot wizard saw him crossing the ball low into the area to an unmarked hard-working Tong. However, he took too long on the ball and it was eventually cleared by their defender.
In the 37th min came the miss of the season by powerful Alvin. After yet another superb through ball from unpredictable Blackburn, who unpredictably was to have a great game, to Speedy Hee down the left flank, speedy Hee outrun (of course!!) their right-back and relayed the ball to a completely, absolutely and totally unmarked powerful Alvin in the 6-yard box. Anticipating a third goal with the goal-mouth gaping, the 100,777 fans rose to its feet, preparing to celebrate by throwing their soiled condoms (for male fans) and bras (for female fans) onto the pitch. Even the stupid New Paper pundit, Tohari Paijan (who always talk nonsense and speak the obvious) said it would be a goal but to the whole world’s, including the watching crowd from Bhutan and Maldives, amazement, powerful Alvin side-footed the ball wide!!!!! However, the ARFC fans still applauded him as a form of encouragement.
Half-time 2-0 to ARFC. During the half-time, prizes were given to sublime Khim, reliable David Mak (father of Marco Mak), quick-silver Derrick and entrepreneur Guoxiong.
Strangely enough, ARFC started the second half with a messy display which was totally in stark contrast to its first half. This resulted in DSTA pulling a goal back in the 57th min. 2-1 now.
In the 67th min, Speedy Hee ran almost 77 metres to a lob ball by unpredictable Blackburn. Living up to his nickname, Speedy Hee outran everyone and reached the ball ahead of their advancing keeper. Alas, his lob was only 0.7 metres over the cross-bar.
In the 77th min, the hugely impressive quick-silver Derrick won a foul after being brought back by the opponent. Sebastiano stepped up, delivered an exquisite ball into the danger penalty box area. Under pressure from Towering Toh and quick-silver Derrick, their defender inexplicably handed the ball into his own net to give ARFC a 3-1 lead. This was the 12th own goal ever scored by ARFC’s opponents.
When the referee finally blew his whistle, several ARFC warriors can be seen collapsing onto the pitch due to the frantic pace of the game and large pitch. They only got better after the nurses, who are student nurses from Nanyang Polytechnic on attachment, gave them a good rub-down “up there” and a good rub-up “down there”.
Speaking to the reporters from STARsports, EPSN, The Sun, The Mirror, Fox TV and Al-Jazeera Network, a beeming Sebastiano enthused:
“Would like to thank all ARFC warriors for a good year which culminated in us winning second place in Classiq League 06. Though we are clearly not as fit as last time, the collective effort and spirit of all warriors at times carried us through the matches. Also, would like to thank all fans for their unrivalled support and also to my Babybaby, Ms Caren who is also the creator of our ARFC blog, for always being so understanding towards my soccer commitment to ARFC. Thanks once again and looking forward to many great years ahead with ARFC……”
