ARFC run riot in 7-2 victory

Playing Esperenza for the 3^rd time since Jun 2014, ARFC hit top form and annihilated them 7-2 at Coral SS.

The previous 2 encounters against them were 2-1 (15 Jun) and 0-2 (10 Aug).

ARFC was only supported by Melissa, soon-to-be Mrs Chua.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - Commanding Ismail

Right-back - Dependable Jinzhong

Sweeper - Unpredictable Blackburn

Stopper - Towering Toh

Left-back - Impeccable How Meng  

Left-mid - Skilful Weilit

Centre-mid - Dynamic Soon

Centre-mid - Influential Sebastian (captain)

Right-mid - Talisman Derrick

Striker - Powerful Alvin

Striker - Speedy Hee

Subs:

Combative Ron (late)

Jasper (guest player)

Absent:

Unbeatable Darren  

Nippy Kenny

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Steely Tze Ern

Marauding Guoxiong

Sublime Khim  

Wonder Wayne

Hard-man Tjioe

Immaculate Indra

Booming Boon

ARFC was really determined to avenge its previous 0-2 defeat which was a really strange result.

ARFC took the lead after an incisive run by Hee down the middle. Hee threaded a nice low ball down the left to Alvin who broke their off-side trap. Without breaking his stride, Alvin propelled the ball with his outside right foot to beat their keeper who seemed shocked by Alvin’s precise shot. 1-0 and this was Alvin’s 242^nd ARFC goal.

ARFC quickly doubled its lead. From Sebastian’s corner on the right, Toh headed against the cross-bar. The rebound fell nicely onto the head of Derrick who was at the 6-yard box line and he duly obliged when he simply nodded home. 2-0 and this was Derrick’s 97^th ARFC goal.

The 3^rd goal came courtesy of a classy Blackburn special. Latching on to a Jasper cross, Blackburn beat their defender and calmly lifted the ball over their keeper to the far post for his 141^st ARFC goal. 3-0

ARFC was not done.  From a Blackburn’s bullet-like corner on the left, Toh charged in like a bullet train and when this happened, there can only be one outcome – yet another headed goal from Toh. 4-0 and this was Toh’s 79^th ARFC goal.

Just right on the stroke of half-time, the referee awarded a controversial penalty which was brilliantly saved by Ismail but they scored from the rebound. 4-1

During half-time, the referee admitted sheepishly to ARFC captain Sebastian that he actually “took pity” on the opponents and gave them a penalty as “consolation”. The referee also apologised profusely to Sebastian by saying (actual words)

“you know lah. The opponents so lousy. Give them chance sikit sikit lah.”

ARFC kept up its relentless attacks in the 2^nd half. Alvin’s closing down saw him winning the ball and laid to Derrick. Spotted their keeper in a bad position, Derrick simply toe-poked the ball past him and the ball slowly crept into the near post. 5-1 and this was Derrick’s 98^th ARFC goal.

Derrick is now in 4^th position in ARFC’s all-time leading scorer list, behind, Alvin, Haron and Blackburn, with Hee one goal behind Derrick.

ARFC then gained a fortuitous goal when a long and hard clearance from Ron saw the ball bouncing right into the heart of their defence. In his haste, their defender headed the ball past his own keeper. 6-1 and this was the 35^th own goals conceded to ARFC since Jun 1991.

ARFC was not done. Derrick wriggled his way at the right flank and send in a diagonal ball all the way to the left. Alvin dashed in, looked up and chipped the ball into the penalty spot mark. Weilit, who has really improved, leaped and powered the ball home with a rare header for his 8^th ARFC goal. 7-1

ARFC then conceded another goal. 7-2

Voting results:

Derrick – 10

Alvin – 7

Soon – 5

How Meng – 4

Jinzhong – 3

Hee – 3

Weilit – 3

Toh – 2

Blackburn – 1

Sebastian – 1

Selamat Hari Raya Haji greetings

On behalf of ARFC, I would like to wish Haron, Ismail and Indra and of course, their love ones, a:

Selamat Hari Raya Haji

ARFC drew 2-2 on Rayes' 9th birthday

On the back of Alvin’s brace, ARFC played to a hard-fought 2-2 draw with One Utd at Anderson SS.

ARFC was supported by Ismail’s family, Shidah and Aqeel, as well Kenny’s beau, JOY, and Derrick’s son and his gang of cousins.

As Ismail was late, Derrick again volunteered to be goal-keeper.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - Talisman Derrick

Right-back - Dependable Jinzhong

Sweeper - Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Stopper - Towering Toh (captain)

Left-back - Unbeatable Darren  

Left-mid - Nippy Kenny

Centre-mid - Dynamic Soon

Centre-mid - Combative Ron

Right-mid - Unpredictable Blackburn

Striker - Powerful Alvin

Striker - ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Subs:

Commanding Ismail (late)

Skilful Weilit (late)

Impeccable How Meng  

Absent:

Steely Tze Ern

Speedy Hee

Influential Sebastian

Marauding Guoxiong

Sublime Khim  

Wonder Wayne

Hard-man Tjioe

Immaculate Indra

Booming Boon

The game started off nicely for ARFC with countless attacking moves especially on the left flank where Alvin was having a field day against the opponent's short n plump defender who tried to look like Edgar Davids.

From the opponent's goalkick, Toh cleared the ball to the left of the field. Alvin managed to get to the bouncing ball first and dribbled past the plump defender. The opposing keeper tried to get to ball too by coming out of his line but Alvin was quicker n managed to push the ball past him. From an acute angle of 9 degrees, Alvin managed to slot the ball home and give ARFC the lead. 1-0 and this was his 240^th ARFC goal.

7 mins later, ARFC had a scare when the opponent nearly scored from a throw in. Their player managed to outjump everyone and headed towards goal. The ball hit the post and trickled along the line before Derrick scooped it to safety. The opponents were convinced that the ball had crossed the line and shouted for goal but the referee waved play on much to their dismay.

In the 29th min, Haron could have doubled the lead for ARFC. Soon beat two opposing defenders in the box and laid the ball perfectly in the middle for Haron. However, the latter surprised everyone including himself when he kicked the ball over the bar with only the keeper to beat. 7 minutes later, Haron decided to sub himself.

ARFC was made to rue the above chance missed a few minutes later when the opponent scored just before half-time. 1-1.

A mini celebration was held for Rayes during half-time. ARFC players sang the birthday song while Rayes cousins swarmed around him in commemorating his special day with a birthday cake. Derrick beamed in pride, like a father would, of his prince who turned 9 today!

ARFC started the second half with Ismail in goal and Derrick playing at the right mid. Derrick's introduction was vital as he managed to win a penalty for Apex in the 57th min. Derrick was clattered in the box by the onrushing defender who clumsily challenged him from behind. The impact of the challenge was so hard that Derrick's legs were seen flying through the air while the defender's legs were shaking uncontrollably as he went into a fit. Players from both side tried to revive him. Luckily for both players, they recovered from the impact safely and were substituted immediately as a precaution.

The defender was given a yellow card for the tackle and penalty was awarded to ARFC. From the resulting spot kick, Alvin sent the keeper the wrong way to give ARFC the lead again. 2-1 and this was Alvin’s 241^st ARFC goal.

ARFC then conceded another goal in the 69^th min to draw 2-2

Special thanks to Soon who continued running endlessly despite running a half-marathon in the morning, unlike Sebastian who also ran the same half marathon but did not turn up, citing tiredness. CMI TTM.

A special word of commendation to Derrick too who came for the game despite Rayes birthday, took a heavy knock and played his heart out in both defence and attack.

Voting results:

Soon – 10

Alvin – 10

Toh – 6

Darren – 5

Ron – 4

Derrick – 3

How Meng – 2

Elvis – 2

Haron turned back the clock with predatory last-grasp winner

Playing against the Sarong Party Boys for the very first time, ARFC snatched a last-min, albeit well-deserved, victory in a match under extreme sahara-like desert weather.

Kudos to Derrick for once again sacrificing his outfield playing time to be goal-keeper.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - Talisman Derrick

Right-back - Impeccable How Meng  

Sweeper - Combative Ron

Stopper - Towering Toh

Left-back - Unbeatable Darren  

Left-mid - Speedy Hee

Centre-mid - Dynamic Soon

Centre-mid - Influential Sebastian (captain)

Right-mid - Marauding Guoxiong

Striker - Unpredictable Blackburn 

Striker - ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Subs:

Powerful Alvin

Steely Tze Ern

Absent:

Commanding Ismail

Dependable Jinzhong

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Nippy Kenny

Skilful Weilit

Sublime Khim  

Wonder Wayne

Hard-man Tjioe

Immaculate Indra

Booming Boon

ARFC was quickest off the blocks with How Meng and Guoxiong particularly menacing down the right flank. First, Guoxiong’s cross from the right was met by Haron who somehow ballooned the ball. Then, Haron missed again from another cross from How Meng.

However, ARFC soon took the lead through some good passing movements on the right.

First, How Meng won the ball at right back and passed to Sebastian who in turned spread the ball out wide to Guoxiong. In the mean time, How Meng continued his over-lapping run. Guoxiong send a long ball down the right channel for Soon who had dashed down the right flank and was closed down by their keeper. Soon then dragged the ball back and How Meng, spotted their keeper off the line, chipped the ball over the head of their keeper for his 6^th ARFC goal. 1-0 and this was How Meng’s 3^rd successive scoring run.

ARFC then conceded a goal. 1-1

In the 2^nd half, despite dominating the match, ARFC fell behind. 1-2

ARFC’s equalizer then came with 10 mins to go courtesy of a cunning trick by Sebastian. A long clearance from Ron looked to be picked up by their central midfielder who then let the ball pass after hearing a shout “MINE” from Sebastian, thinking that the shout was from his team-mate.

The ball was then picked up by Toh who passed backwards to Alvin. Alvin, Haron and Toh then faced their sweeper with Toh pulling to Alvin’s right while Haron pulled to Alvin’s left.  Alvin took the smart option by executing a no-look reverse pass to Haorn who then killed the ball with a great first touch and then placed the pass their despairing keeper for his 215^th ARFC goal. 2-2

From Sebastian’s corner, Toh’s header was deflected wide by their defender. From yet another Sebastian corner, Toh headed narrowly over.

With almost the last kick of the match, ARFC snatched the victory. From Sebastian’s corner, Toh’s bullet header goalwards was parried by their keeper. Haron reacted quickest and swooped in to turn the ball over the line for his 216^th ARFC goal. 3-2!

Voting results:

Haron – 12

Derrick – 9

Ron – 7

Soon – 4

Toh – 3

How Meng – 1

Alvin – 1

Sebastian – 1

Darren – 1

Hee's the HEEro in land-slide 6-0 victory

Despite missing almost half of the first-team regulars, ARFC still have enough in the tank to rout The Riders 6-0 in a totally one-sided match.

ARFC was supported by Lingzhi, Ron’s capable and lovely wife.

Kudos to Darren too for turning up to play one half despite having to attend to pressing family matters.

ARFC started with this line-up:

Keeper - Commanding Ismail

Right-back - Dependable Jinzhong

Sweeper - Combative Ron

Stopper - Towering Toh (captain)

Left-back - Unbeatable Darren  

Left-mid - Speedy Hee

Centre-mid - Dynamic Soon

Centre-mid - Marauding Guoxiong

Right-mid - Weilit

Striker - Unpredictable Blackburn 

Striker - Powerful Alvin

Subs:

ARFC Scoring Legend Haron

Impeccable How Meng

Eng Lai (guest player)

Dominic (guest player)

Ah Chua (guest player)

Chun Haw (guest player)

Jasper (guest player)

Absent:

Astute-reading sweeper Elvis

Talisman Derrick

Nippy Kenny

Influential Sebastian

Steely Tze Ern

Sublime Khim  

Wonder Wayne

Hard-man Tjioe

Immaculate Indra

Booming Boon

Playing under a scorching heat and buoyed by the large last-min turnout, ARFC got off a to a great start when it opened the floodgates in the 17th min. Hee got the ball in the box and did a body feint before twisting away from the onrushing defender who callously kicked Hee's ankle from behind, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty to Apex. Blackburn brushed aside all aspiring penalty-takers by casually stroked the ball home for his 140^th ARFC goal. 1-0

Barely 2minutes later, ARFC doubled its lead when Hee send a hopeful through ball in the middle of the field which was miskicked by the defender, allowing Alvin to face the goalkeeper one on one. Alvin shrugged off his profligacy in the previous matches by calmly dribbled past the goalkeeper before rolling the ball into the empty net. 2-0 and this was Alvin’s 239^th ARFC goal.

In the 27th min, ARFC put the result to bed with Hee yet again playing a pivotal role.  From a lovely through ball by Guoxiong in the middle, Hee’s crisp volley was parried by their keeper. Hee followed up and thumped his shot against an onrushing defender, ricochet off the bar and drop 0.99cm away from the goal line. Soon, who was lurking nearby from the blindside, had the simplest of job to tap the ball in for his 62^nd ARFC goal. 3-0.

Several substitutions were made in allowing everyone some playing time.

In the 37th min, off a corner taken by Blackburn, How Meng demonstrated that ARFC needed not always depend on Toh for headers when he leaped like a salmon to power in a bullet header for his 4^th ARFC goal. 4-0

Just before half-time, ARFC had a scare when an incident just outside its own box, saw Ron being clattered by the opponent's defender as they challenged for a high ball. Leaving up to his North Korean tank reputation, Ron escaped the incident unhurt while the defender suffered a deep cut causing blood to gush out from his forehead profusely.

ARFC good play continued in the second half albeit was wasteful in its attack which could have contributed to a bigger scoreline.

In the 59th min, Haron opened his account from a beautiful link-up play between the midfielders. Chun Haw tricked everyone when he delightfully dinked a through ball to the ever-running Soon who was coming from the blind side and managed to get the ball in the 6-yard box. Soon looked up and unselfishly passed the ball to Haron who had the easiest of task to tap the ball past the rooted keeper for his 214^th ARFC goal. 5-0.

How Meng got his second goal in the 77th min. Hee, who was having a field day at the left wing, sent a superb ball across the center of the goal. Haron could not reach there in time but managed to win the ball back. Haron looked up before sending a low ball in the middle. How Meng who was running in slightly miskicked his shot but it still managed to trickle pass the keeper towards the right bottom corner of the post. 6-0 and this was How Meng’s 5^th ARFC goal.

Voting results:

Soon – 7

Guoxiong – 5

Hee – 4

Alvin – 4

Haron – 3

How Meng – 3

Ron – 2

Jinzhong - 2