Playing its 2nd match in 3 days, ARFC succumbed to fatigue and crashed to a 1-4 defeat against a very good Redline at Tampines SAFRA in front of 77,777 fans which included Soon’s gorgeous wife and lovely daughter. This also marked ARFC’s first-ever loss on the magnificent artificial pitch.
ARFC welcomed back Bernard who has been missing from several matches as he is currently trying to take over Rafa Nadal’s No. I spot in the ATTP world ranking.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Weili (guest keeper from Rendezvous FC)
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Uncompromising Edwin
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn (captain)
Right-mid: Hardworking Tong
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: Speedy Hee
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Sub:
Intimidating Damian
Marauding Boon
Left-foot wizard Bernard
ARFC controlled proceedings from the word go and created so many chances that were spurned. However, it was a good sign that so many chances were created though not capitalized.
It was no surprise that ARFC took the lead in the 17th min. Sebastian passed to Guoxiong on the right and buoyed by his hat-trick on Sunday, Guoxiong chipped in a very precise cross to Alvin who broke their off-side trap. Their keeper tried to dash out but Alvin managed to nip the ball ahead and lifted it over their keeper’s head for his 93rd ARFC goal. 1-0.
In the 37th min, ARFC conceded a goal after their midfielder lobbed Weili from near the half-way line. 1-1 at half-time.
In the 2nd half, ARFC seemed to collapse due to fatigue and conceded 3 soft goals to go down 1-4 for its first-ever defeat at Tampines SAFRA.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
No match on May Day weekend
As informed by the organiser, there will be no tournament match this coming Labour Day weekend.....
Have a great Labour Day....
Cheers....
Have a great Labour Day....
Cheers....
Guoxiong's first-ever hat-trick inspires ARFC to resounding victory
In its 2nd tournament match, ARFC bounced back from a disappointing defeat last week with a comprehensive 6-1 trouncing of Angel Advocates in front of 77,777 fans at Anderson SS.
ARFC was hit with the last-minute withdrawal of Tjioe who was struck down with flu. Haron made it to the pitch but had to withdraw too due to family commitment, while Soon was surprisingly missing.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Boon
Sweeper: Towering Toh
Stopper: Uncompromising Edwin
Left-back: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Hardworking Tong
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: Intimidating Damian
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Sub:
Unpredictable Blackburn (late)
ARFC was determined to put last week’s defeat and from the start, ARFC immediately swarmed the opponents. Just minutes into the match, Guoxiong received the ball on the right 37.77 metres out, left their left-back for dead with a sharp twist-and-turn, looked up and belted in a shot that measured at a speed of 377 km/h that gave their keeper, in fact any keeper in the world, no chance at all. The goal was so certain that the Mexican commentator screamed “Goal, goal, goal goal, goal, goalllllllllllllllllllllllll” even before the ball hit the net. 1-0 and this was Guoxiong’s 7th ARFC goal.
In the 17 mins, ARFC doubled the lead. Blackburn, who replaced the tired Boon, swung in a delicious ball from the left that eluded everybody and in came Guoxiong who expertly volleyed the ball home from 17 metres. 2-0 and Guoxiong was on fire!!
7 mins later, ARFC scored its 3rd goal. From a counter-attack, Blackburn brought the ball up and eventually won throw-in on the left. A quick throw by Blackburn to Alvin resulted in the latter flicking the ball into the 6-yard box and in came Damian who dived in ala Rudi Voeller and headed the ball past their keeper for his 11th ARFC goal.
77 seconds later, ARFC scored its 4th goal. Alvin, who had missed a sitter earlier after an exquisite no-look pass from Sebastian had released him, made amends. Elvis, who switched to right-back, sent in a precise diagonal cross right up to Alvin’s feet. Alvin’s shot was parried by their keeper but he was quickest to tuck home the rebound for his 92nd ARFC goal.
In the 2nd half, ARFFC became complacent and allowed the opponents to give us a few scary moments. The opponents then pulled a goal back. 1-4.
ARFC did not panicked and Guoxiong finally scored his first-ever hat-trick for ARFC. A
long punt forward by Blackburn was not cleared by their defence. Capitalising on their hesitance, Guoxiong dashed in from the right and lifted the ball past their keeper for his hat-trick and 9th ARFC goal. 5-1 now.
ARFC was not done. In the 77th min, Sebastian laid the ball to Tong who was lurking just outside the penalty box. With a first-touch that killed the ball, Tong powered in a shot that took a slight wicked deflection and flew past their keeper for his 23rd ARFC goal and ARFC’s 70th goal in 2009.
Man-of-the-Match goes to Guoxiong though I must say every warrior played well.
Speaking to the FHM babes and TNP reporters after the match, Guoxiong expressed his gratitude to the Yishun 618 tui-na master for treating his injury and allowed him to notch his first-ever hat-trick for ARFC.
ARFC was hit with the last-minute withdrawal of Tjioe who was struck down with flu. Haron made it to the pitch but had to withdraw too due to family commitment, while Soon was surprisingly missing.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Boon
Sweeper: Towering Toh
Stopper: Uncompromising Edwin
Left-back: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Hardworking Tong
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: Intimidating Damian
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Sub:
Unpredictable Blackburn (late)
ARFC was determined to put last week’s defeat and from the start, ARFC immediately swarmed the opponents. Just minutes into the match, Guoxiong received the ball on the right 37.77 metres out, left their left-back for dead with a sharp twist-and-turn, looked up and belted in a shot that measured at a speed of 377 km/h that gave their keeper, in fact any keeper in the world, no chance at all. The goal was so certain that the Mexican commentator screamed “Goal, goal, goal goal, goal, goalllllllllllllllllllllllll” even before the ball hit the net. 1-0 and this was Guoxiong’s 7th ARFC goal.
In the 17 mins, ARFC doubled the lead. Blackburn, who replaced the tired Boon, swung in a delicious ball from the left that eluded everybody and in came Guoxiong who expertly volleyed the ball home from 17 metres. 2-0 and Guoxiong was on fire!!
7 mins later, ARFC scored its 3rd goal. From a counter-attack, Blackburn brought the ball up and eventually won throw-in on the left. A quick throw by Blackburn to Alvin resulted in the latter flicking the ball into the 6-yard box and in came Damian who dived in ala Rudi Voeller and headed the ball past their keeper for his 11th ARFC goal.
77 seconds later, ARFC scored its 4th goal. Alvin, who had missed a sitter earlier after an exquisite no-look pass from Sebastian had released him, made amends. Elvis, who switched to right-back, sent in a precise diagonal cross right up to Alvin’s feet. Alvin’s shot was parried by their keeper but he was quickest to tuck home the rebound for his 92nd ARFC goal.
In the 2nd half, ARFFC became complacent and allowed the opponents to give us a few scary moments. The opponents then pulled a goal back. 1-4.
ARFC did not panicked and Guoxiong finally scored his first-ever hat-trick for ARFC. A
long punt forward by Blackburn was not cleared by their defence. Capitalising on their hesitance, Guoxiong dashed in from the right and lifted the ball past their keeper for his hat-trick and 9th ARFC goal. 5-1 now.
ARFC was not done. In the 77th min, Sebastian laid the ball to Tong who was lurking just outside the penalty box. With a first-touch that killed the ball, Tong powered in a shot that took a slight wicked deflection and flew past their keeper for his 23rd ARFC goal and ARFC’s 70th goal in 2009.
Man-of-the-Match goes to Guoxiong though I must say every warrior played well.
Speaking to the FHM babes and TNP reporters after the match, Guoxiong expressed his gratitude to the Yishun 618 tui-na master for treating his injury and allowed him to notch his first-ever hat-trick for ARFC.
Monday, April 20, 2009
ARFC outplayed in 1st tournament match in Div II
Playing its first league match in the new season, ARFC was quickly brought down to earth after suffering a 4-1 defeat by Team BI, a team that was previously champions of the ESPZEN League and also boasted many NFL players. Hence, it was no shame at all in the defeat.
After having crowned champions and smashing all records in the previous season when ARFC was playing in the Div III, a large crowd was expected to witness how ARFC would fare in the Div II. Furthermore, Damian has returned from his 7-year attachment at Leeds United for a holiday and was eager to show all and sundry what he had learnt. Hence, a large crowd of 117,777 fans turned up.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Towering Toh
Stopper: Uncompromising Edwin
Left-back: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Right-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Hardworking Tong
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs:
Unpredictable Blackburn
Speedy Hee
Marauding Boon
Intimidating Damian
From the start, it was clear that Team BI was indeed a good team with its superb passing and movement. ARFC was unable to get into the match and only managed to hold out.
In the 27th min, ARFC conceded a goal. 0-1.
Controversy erupted in the 37th min. The ball was pumped down the left flank and looked like it had crossed the line before their left-winger crossed the ball back into our penalty box. However, the referee incorrectly ruled play on and their striker duly thumped home their second goal. 0-2. Immediately, almost all warriors surrounded the referee as he was almost at the half-way line and yet could still say the ball was still in play. Despite so, his decision remained and ARFC was 2 down at half-time.
A half-time pep-talk by Haron appeared to have woken every warrior up and ARFC began to play so much better and threatened to score.
However, disaster struck in the 57th min after a defensive error. 0-3.
Nevertheless, ARFC did not give up and got its just rewards in the 67th min. Sebastian hit a high direct ball over their defence and after Soon pressured their defender, the ball fell kindly to Alvin who shouted Soon to let him have a shot. With his outside foot, Alvin scored his 91st ARFC goal. 1-3
Alvin could have scored his second goal 7 mins later but after shrugging off their sweeper and facing their keeper one-on-one, his shot was deflected away by their keeper for a corner.
ARFC then made a defensive error to concede the 4th goal to them. 1-4 is the final score.
Really, it was no shame to have lost to this team which is clearly superior in almost every department. In fact, this team should be crowned champions in Div II easily. It has been a long time since ARFC was totally outplayed. For this match, only Guoxiong and Hee came away with credit of note.
This is ARFC’s 50th defeat in 260 matches.
After having crowned champions and smashing all records in the previous season when ARFC was playing in the Div III, a large crowd was expected to witness how ARFC would fare in the Div II. Furthermore, Damian has returned from his 7-year attachment at Leeds United for a holiday and was eager to show all and sundry what he had learnt. Hence, a large crowd of 117,777 fans turned up.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Towering Toh
Stopper: Uncompromising Edwin
Left-back: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Right-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Hardworking Tong
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs:
Unpredictable Blackburn
Speedy Hee
Marauding Boon
Intimidating Damian
From the start, it was clear that Team BI was indeed a good team with its superb passing and movement. ARFC was unable to get into the match and only managed to hold out.
In the 27th min, ARFC conceded a goal. 0-1.
Controversy erupted in the 37th min. The ball was pumped down the left flank and looked like it had crossed the line before their left-winger crossed the ball back into our penalty box. However, the referee incorrectly ruled play on and their striker duly thumped home their second goal. 0-2. Immediately, almost all warriors surrounded the referee as he was almost at the half-way line and yet could still say the ball was still in play. Despite so, his decision remained and ARFC was 2 down at half-time.
A half-time pep-talk by Haron appeared to have woken every warrior up and ARFC began to play so much better and threatened to score.
However, disaster struck in the 57th min after a defensive error. 0-3.
Nevertheless, ARFC did not give up and got its just rewards in the 67th min. Sebastian hit a high direct ball over their defence and after Soon pressured their defender, the ball fell kindly to Alvin who shouted Soon to let him have a shot. With his outside foot, Alvin scored his 91st ARFC goal. 1-3
Alvin could have scored his second goal 7 mins later but after shrugging off their sweeper and facing their keeper one-on-one, his shot was deflected away by their keeper for a corner.
ARFC then made a defensive error to concede the 4th goal to them. 1-4 is the final score.
Really, it was no shame to have lost to this team which is clearly superior in almost every department. In fact, this team should be crowned champions in Div II easily. It has been a long time since ARFC was totally outplayed. For this match, only Guoxiong and Hee came away with credit of note.
This is ARFC’s 50th defeat in 260 matches.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Superb achievements!!!!!
Dear ARFC warriors:
The League has just concluded and ARFC has came out tops in the following:
Most goals scored in all 3 Divisions - 55 goals
Least goals conceded in all 3 Divisions - 10 goals
Best goal diference in all 3 Divisions - +45 goals
Most points tally in all 3 Divisions - 38 points
Cheers!!!!!!
The League has just concluded and ARFC has came out tops in the following:
Most goals scored in all 3 Divisions - 55 goals
Least goals conceded in all 3 Divisions - 10 goals
Best goal diference in all 3 Divisions - +45 goals
Most points tally in all 3 Divisions - 38 points
Cheers!!!!!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Caren tattooing Marauding Boon
On Good Friday, our pioneer warrior, Marauding Boon, was tattooed by Caren, the lovely wife of Influential Sebastian.....
These are the lovely pictures......
These are the lovely pictures......
Thursday, April 09, 2009
ARFC maintains unbeaten record at Tampines SAFRA after come-from-behind victory
In a Jekyll and Hyde performance, ARFC came from a goal down to brush aside the challenge of a very determined, competitive and experienced team 3-1 at Tampines SAFRA. The victory also ensured that ARFC maintained its unbeaten record at the magnificent ground. The win was witnessed by 77,777 fans including Haron’s wife and daughter.
Prior to the match, ARFC received a huge boost when Edwin returned from his 7-day stint with Nagoya Grampus Eight, Gary Lineker’s former team in the J-League. Nagoya Grampus Eight had wanted to sign Edwin but was put off by Edwin’s huge wage demands of $77,777 per week. Hence, Edwin would still turn out for ARFC.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Weili (guest keeper from Rendezvous FC)
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Uncompromising Edwin (captain)
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn n
Right-mid: Speedy Hee
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Hardworking Tong
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs:
Dependable Jinzhong
Influential Sebastian
Left-foot wizard Bernard
From the word go, ARFC simply could not get into gear at all and played its worst half that any ARFC warrior or fan could ever remember. All in all, ARFC only fired in a shot of worth, courtesy of Khim’s right foot shot which hit the crossbar and bounced out.
Hence, it was no surprise that ARFC conceded a goal though their scorer looked suspiciously off-side.
In the 2nd half, after a tongue-lashing by Sebastian and fans, ARFC woke up and finally played the football that it is renowned for. From the re-start, Alvin kicked off the ball to Sebastian who then turned it to Khim on the inner left. Looking up, Khim chipped in a very delicious ball which looked to be beyond the reach of Haron who had made a run into the penalty box. However, Haron’s stretched out his leg and managed to dink the ball over their on-rushing keeper for his 142nd ARFC goal. 1-1. The goal was so fast that the inept referee even commented that it was the fastest goal he had ever refereed!!
Bouyed by the equalizer, ARFC went for the jugular. 17 mins later, Haron returned the favour to Khim. After a series of wall-pass between the duo, Haron played in Khim who needed no second invitation to put ARFC 2-1 up for his 42nd ARFC goal. 2-1
By now, the opponents were totally deflated and ARFC soon ran the show and the 3rd goal seemed inevitable. True enough in the 77th min, ARFC notched its 3rd goal in the match with some super passing and movement. Jinzhong won the ball on the right, passed to Alvin who then exchanged passes with Haron and Tong before Haron dummied Alvin’s return ball for Tong to run straight at goal. Seeing the keeper had dashed out, Tong pushed the ball beyond his reach but the ball seemed headed out until Alvin dashed in from nowhere to stroke the ball home for his 90th ARFC goal. 3-1
Man-of-the-Match goes to Haron though Khim and Elvis did well too.
Special credit must be given to Jinzhong for playing as a player to accommodate Weili who had graciously agreed to help as Jinzhong was earlier not available.
Prior to the match, ARFC received a huge boost when Edwin returned from his 7-day stint with Nagoya Grampus Eight, Gary Lineker’s former team in the J-League. Nagoya Grampus Eight had wanted to sign Edwin but was put off by Edwin’s huge wage demands of $77,777 per week. Hence, Edwin would still turn out for ARFC.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Weili (guest keeper from Rendezvous FC)
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Uncompromising Edwin (captain)
Left-back: Unpredictable Blackburn n
Right-mid: Speedy Hee
Centre-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Centre-mid: Hardworking Tong
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs:
Dependable Jinzhong
Influential Sebastian
Left-foot wizard Bernard
From the word go, ARFC simply could not get into gear at all and played its worst half that any ARFC warrior or fan could ever remember. All in all, ARFC only fired in a shot of worth, courtesy of Khim’s right foot shot which hit the crossbar and bounced out.
Hence, it was no surprise that ARFC conceded a goal though their scorer looked suspiciously off-side.
In the 2nd half, after a tongue-lashing by Sebastian and fans, ARFC woke up and finally played the football that it is renowned for. From the re-start, Alvin kicked off the ball to Sebastian who then turned it to Khim on the inner left. Looking up, Khim chipped in a very delicious ball which looked to be beyond the reach of Haron who had made a run into the penalty box. However, Haron’s stretched out his leg and managed to dink the ball over their on-rushing keeper for his 142nd ARFC goal. 1-1. The goal was so fast that the inept referee even commented that it was the fastest goal he had ever refereed!!
Bouyed by the equalizer, ARFC went for the jugular. 17 mins later, Haron returned the favour to Khim. After a series of wall-pass between the duo, Haron played in Khim who needed no second invitation to put ARFC 2-1 up for his 42nd ARFC goal. 2-1
By now, the opponents were totally deflated and ARFC soon ran the show and the 3rd goal seemed inevitable. True enough in the 77th min, ARFC notched its 3rd goal in the match with some super passing and movement. Jinzhong won the ball on the right, passed to Alvin who then exchanged passes with Haron and Tong before Haron dummied Alvin’s return ball for Tong to run straight at goal. Seeing the keeper had dashed out, Tong pushed the ball beyond his reach but the ball seemed headed out until Alvin dashed in from nowhere to stroke the ball home for his 90th ARFC goal. 3-1
Man-of-the-Match goes to Haron though Khim and Elvis did well too.
Special credit must be given to Jinzhong for playing as a player to accommodate Weili who had graciously agreed to help as Jinzhong was earlier not available.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Haron and Hee showcase their class and speed respectively in 6-1 victory
Inspired by Captain of the day Khim, ARFC wrapped up its tournament with a world-class display which ended in a domineering 6-1 victory over an out-classed Redbacks. Despite the torrential rain and the F1 Grand Prix in Malaysia, the ever-faithful 77,777 fans showed up to lend their support.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Unpredictable Blackburn
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Marauding Boon
Right-mid: Speedy Hee
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin
No subs as Tjioe, Hock and Bernard pulled out just hours before the match.
Captaining ARFC for the very first time, Khim did a “Captain Marvel” when after just 77 seconds, he weaved his way from the left, cut in and left a few defenders in their wake. Urged on by both ARFC fans and warriors, Khim leashed in a shot that their keeper had no way to keep out at all. This was Khim’s 41st ARFC goal. 1-0
7 mins later, Hee once again showed the world why he is nick-named Speedy Hee when their left-back took a pass from their sweeper. At that time, Hee was at least 17 metres away and the left-back thought he had lots of time. In a flash, Hee ghosted in, robbed him and proceeded to prod the ball past their keeper for his 64th ARFC goal. 2-0.
17 mins later, ARFC scored its 3rd goal in the match. After some near misses from corners, Toh finally headed in Khim’s precise corner from the left for his 32nd ARFC goal. 3-0.
ARFC by now was on fire and just mins later, Haron opened his accounts after picking up a poor goal-kick by their keeper. Haron advanced and his shot easily eluded the keeper and defenders. The ball hit the left post but unlike Torres’ miss the night before Fulham, Haron’s shot bounced in off the post for his 140th ARFC goal. 4-0
Alvin then helped himself to his 89th ARFC goal after a very classic slide-rule diagonal pass from Haron. With his pedigree, Alvin could not miss and he duly obliged. 5-0.
ARFC was not done. Again, Hee showed his out-of-this-world speed when he again robbed their left-back and whipped in a cross which was met by Haron’s super diving header ala Oliver Bierhoff for his 141st ARFC goal. 6-0
In the second half, ARFC shifted at least 2 gears down and the opponents managed to pull a goal back. 6-1 is the final score.
This is one match where ARFC totally annihilated the hapless opponents with its superb passing, movement, control and finishing. Every warrior did well and hence it would be unfair to give an individual Man-of-the-Match. Instead, the award goes out to the team. However, I must say that Khim, Haron, Toh, Hee, Boon and Guoxiong did extremely well.
Special credit must be given to Boon for lasting the whole match!!!
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong
Sweeper: Unpredictable Blackburn
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Marauding Boon
Right-mid: Speedy Hee
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Sublime Khim
Striker: ARFC scoring legend Haron
Striker: Powerful Alvin
No subs as Tjioe, Hock and Bernard pulled out just hours before the match.
Captaining ARFC for the very first time, Khim did a “Captain Marvel” when after just 77 seconds, he weaved his way from the left, cut in and left a few defenders in their wake. Urged on by both ARFC fans and warriors, Khim leashed in a shot that their keeper had no way to keep out at all. This was Khim’s 41st ARFC goal. 1-0
7 mins later, Hee once again showed the world why he is nick-named Speedy Hee when their left-back took a pass from their sweeper. At that time, Hee was at least 17 metres away and the left-back thought he had lots of time. In a flash, Hee ghosted in, robbed him and proceeded to prod the ball past their keeper for his 64th ARFC goal. 2-0.
17 mins later, ARFC scored its 3rd goal in the match. After some near misses from corners, Toh finally headed in Khim’s precise corner from the left for his 32nd ARFC goal. 3-0.
ARFC by now was on fire and just mins later, Haron opened his accounts after picking up a poor goal-kick by their keeper. Haron advanced and his shot easily eluded the keeper and defenders. The ball hit the left post but unlike Torres’ miss the night before Fulham, Haron’s shot bounced in off the post for his 140th ARFC goal. 4-0
Alvin then helped himself to his 89th ARFC goal after a very classic slide-rule diagonal pass from Haron. With his pedigree, Alvin could not miss and he duly obliged. 5-0.
ARFC was not done. Again, Hee showed his out-of-this-world speed when he again robbed their left-back and whipped in a cross which was met by Haron’s super diving header ala Oliver Bierhoff for his 141st ARFC goal. 6-0
In the second half, ARFC shifted at least 2 gears down and the opponents managed to pull a goal back. 6-1 is the final score.
This is one match where ARFC totally annihilated the hapless opponents with its superb passing, movement, control and finishing. Every warrior did well and hence it would be unfair to give an individual Man-of-the-Match. Instead, the award goes out to the team. However, I must say that Khim, Haron, Toh, Hee, Boon and Guoxiong did extremely well.
Special credit must be given to Boon for lasting the whole match!!!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
ARFC finally suffers 1st defeat in 2009
Playing its 2nd match in less than 48 hours, a very fatigue ARFC fell 3-4 to a very youthful MOE team at the superb artificial pitch at Victoria SS. Witnessing ARFC’s 1st loss in 2009 were the usual 77,777 fans as well as Caren, gorgeous wife of Sebastian, and Su and Afiqa, babelicious wife and lagi-babelicious daughter of Haron.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Boon
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Hardworking Tong
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs are:
Mean-machine Hock (late – Captain)
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Hardman Tjioe
ARFC scoring legend Haron
Within 17 mins, ARFC gifted 2 goals to the opponents. 0-2.
ARFC then woke up and grabbed a goal back. Edwin chipped in a free-kick from our half and the ball was flicked on by Blackburn onto the path of on-rushing Soon. Not surprisingly, Soon dispatched the ball past their keeper for his 15th ARFC goal. 1-2
Just mins later, ARFC conceded 2 more goals though the 4th goal looked suspiciously of-side. 1-4.
Sebastian then atoned for his mistake in the first goal conceded when he picked up the ball about 37 metres away from goal. Looking up, he hit a rising shot that took a slight deflection off their defender’s leg and the ball sailed over their rooted keeper. This was Sebastian’s 66th ARFC goal. 2-4 which remained the half-time score.
In the 2nd half, ARFC played so much better as it started playing its usual standard of football. With such football, ARFC would get its 3rd goal in the match. Hock won possession on the right and sent a measured high ball over their defence and Soon sprinted in. Without breaking his stride, Soon calmly volleyed the ball with his left foot over their static keeper who had came rushing out for his 16th ARFC goal. 3-4.
Toh nearly scored ARFC’s 4th goal after Sebastian’s corner fell to his feet. However, his close-range shot was superbly blocked by their keeper. Unlucky!!
Despite subjecting the opponents to more intense pressure, ARFC could not get an equalising goal and hence suffered its 1st defeat in 2009.
For this match, Man-of-the-Match goes to Soon though Tong, Guoxiong, Elvis and Hock did well too.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Dependable Jinzhong
Right-back: Marauding Boon
Sweeper: Uncompromising Edwin
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Hardworking Tong
Right-mid: Hard-running Guoxiong
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Speedy Hee
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Powerful Alvin
Subs are:
Mean-machine Hock (late – Captain)
Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Hardman Tjioe
ARFC scoring legend Haron
Within 17 mins, ARFC gifted 2 goals to the opponents. 0-2.
ARFC then woke up and grabbed a goal back. Edwin chipped in a free-kick from our half and the ball was flicked on by Blackburn onto the path of on-rushing Soon. Not surprisingly, Soon dispatched the ball past their keeper for his 15th ARFC goal. 1-2
Just mins later, ARFC conceded 2 more goals though the 4th goal looked suspiciously of-side. 1-4.
Sebastian then atoned for his mistake in the first goal conceded when he picked up the ball about 37 metres away from goal. Looking up, he hit a rising shot that took a slight deflection off their defender’s leg and the ball sailed over their rooted keeper. This was Sebastian’s 66th ARFC goal. 2-4 which remained the half-time score.
In the 2nd half, ARFC played so much better as it started playing its usual standard of football. With such football, ARFC would get its 3rd goal in the match. Hock won possession on the right and sent a measured high ball over their defence and Soon sprinted in. Without breaking his stride, Soon calmly volleyed the ball with his left foot over their static keeper who had came rushing out for his 16th ARFC goal. 3-4.
Toh nearly scored ARFC’s 4th goal after Sebastian’s corner fell to his feet. However, his close-range shot was superbly blocked by their keeper. Unlucky!!
Despite subjecting the opponents to more intense pressure, ARFC could not get an equalising goal and hence suffered its 1st defeat in 2009.
For this match, Man-of-the-Match goes to Soon though Tong, Guoxiong, Elvis and Hock did well too.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Blackburn scores Xabi Alonso-type goal in 5-0 victory
Playing at a sleepy time of 9 pm at Tampines SAFRA, ARFC continued its winning streak with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over a hapless opponent. Witnessing the rampaging win was Anna, Elvis’ beau, as well as the faithful 77,777 fans.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Weili (guest keeper)
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong (Captain)
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Hardworking Tong
Right-mid: Mean-machine Hock
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Speedy Hee
Subs are:
Marauding Boon
Sublime Khim
Powerful Alvin
Probably due to the sleepy hour, ARFC could not get its game going in the opening minutes and was nearly embarrassed by the opponents. Thankfully, ARFC’s defence held firm.
ARFC took the lead in the 17th min. Hee’s chipped pass appeared to be mis-hit but the ball was latched on nicely by Tjioe, who reminded everybody that he was once a box-to-box warrior. Tjioe’s touch looked a bit too heavy and the ball seemed to be out of his reach. With their defender closing down, Tjioe executed a sliding shot that hit their defender’s out-stretched leg and the ball spun and looped over their keeper. It was Tjioe’s 46th ARFC goal. 1-0
ARFC doubled its lead 7 mins later. Khim, who came on for Tjioe, picked up a loose ball at the left flank. ARFC’s forwards made a decoy run and pulled their defenders with them, leaving Hock free at the right side Of course, the ever-elegant Khim picked out Hock with a cross-diagonal ball and Hock took the ball down nicely and coolly slotted the ball past their keeper for his 21st ARFC goal. 2-0 which remained the half-time score.
In the 57th min, ARFC scored its 3rd goal in the match. Blackburn, who again put in an impressive showing, sent in a precise corner from the left to the head of who else but Toh to thump his header against the cross-bar. The ball did not cross the line but Toh was fast enough to follow up with another header to send the ball into the net for his 31st ARFC goal. 3-0.
By now, the opponents was gone case. However, ARFC nearly gave them a life-line after Hock was dismissed for retaliation. ARFC was down to 10 men.
Again, ARFC’s spirit, team-work and determination came to the fore again. Blackburn picked up the ball just inside their half and gave a powerful lob that had their back-pedaling keeper grabbing thin air and the ball landed nicely into the net ala Xabi Alonso for his 77th ARFC goal. Really world-class goal. The distance measured was 57.77 metres from goal. 4-0
ARFC was not done as yet and scored the type of “team-work” goal ala Liverpool in the 80s. At least 5 or 6 warriors passed the ball around and the opponents were completely mesmerized by the sweet passing and movement. The final ball landed at the feet of Khim whose shot was parried by their keeper. However, the ball trickled over the line and Khim chalked up his 40th ARFC goal.
For this match, Man-of-the-Match must surely be Khim for his sublime all-round display. I must also say that Guoxiong, Tong and Blackburn came close too.
ARFC started with this line-up:
Keeper: Weili (guest keeper)
Right-back: Hard-running Guoxiong (Captain)
Sweeper: Astute-reading sweeper Elvis
Stopper: Towering Toh
Left-back: Hardworking Tong
Right-mid: Mean-machine Hock
Centre-mid: Dynamic Soon
Centre-mid: Influential Sebastian
Left-mid: Hardman Tjioe
Striker: Unpredictable Blackburn
Striker: Speedy Hee
Subs are:
Marauding Boon
Sublime Khim
Powerful Alvin
Probably due to the sleepy hour, ARFC could not get its game going in the opening minutes and was nearly embarrassed by the opponents. Thankfully, ARFC’s defence held firm.
ARFC took the lead in the 17th min. Hee’s chipped pass appeared to be mis-hit but the ball was latched on nicely by Tjioe, who reminded everybody that he was once a box-to-box warrior. Tjioe’s touch looked a bit too heavy and the ball seemed to be out of his reach. With their defender closing down, Tjioe executed a sliding shot that hit their defender’s out-stretched leg and the ball spun and looped over their keeper. It was Tjioe’s 46th ARFC goal. 1-0
ARFC doubled its lead 7 mins later. Khim, who came on for Tjioe, picked up a loose ball at the left flank. ARFC’s forwards made a decoy run and pulled their defenders with them, leaving Hock free at the right side Of course, the ever-elegant Khim picked out Hock with a cross-diagonal ball and Hock took the ball down nicely and coolly slotted the ball past their keeper for his 21st ARFC goal. 2-0 which remained the half-time score.
In the 57th min, ARFC scored its 3rd goal in the match. Blackburn, who again put in an impressive showing, sent in a precise corner from the left to the head of who else but Toh to thump his header against the cross-bar. The ball did not cross the line but Toh was fast enough to follow up with another header to send the ball into the net for his 31st ARFC goal. 3-0.
By now, the opponents was gone case. However, ARFC nearly gave them a life-line after Hock was dismissed for retaliation. ARFC was down to 10 men.
Again, ARFC’s spirit, team-work and determination came to the fore again. Blackburn picked up the ball just inside their half and gave a powerful lob that had their back-pedaling keeper grabbing thin air and the ball landed nicely into the net ala Xabi Alonso for his 77th ARFC goal. Really world-class goal. The distance measured was 57.77 metres from goal. 4-0
ARFC was not done as yet and scored the type of “team-work” goal ala Liverpool in the 80s. At least 5 or 6 warriors passed the ball around and the opponents were completely mesmerized by the sweet passing and movement. The final ball landed at the feet of Khim whose shot was parried by their keeper. However, the ball trickled over the line and Khim chalked up his 40th ARFC goal.
For this match, Man-of-the-Match must surely be Khim for his sublime all-round display. I must also say that Guoxiong, Tong and Blackburn came close too.
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