Singapore on the Spot
Sörensson Strikes
The league losing streak progressed into its fifth game as Grilled sank 3-2 to Team Singapore after taking a two-goal advantage through Hjortlind and Martinsson. Wingback Michael Sörensson did his duty for his side by scoring on two penalties, either side of Robin Andersson's fine header, which were sufficient to overturn the lead.
Grilled returned
Shen Kek-Tjiang to his preferred central midfield role, restoring some of the balance missing from the team. Kek-Tjiang's expertise freed up his partners from some of the grunt work, and Dai-Lin made the most of it by keeping another veteran, Lin Hee-Jun, busy on the left. Dai-Lin displayed his knack of crossing with either foot often, and Hjortlind had to score when he connected with one inside the six-yard box after highly feted junior keeper Chew Xiaolun missed it.
Lin Hee-Jun saw a play in the 25th minute, but his vision was not rewarded as he took his eyes off the ball and whipped it skywards. Singapore upped the pace despite Robin Andersson injuring himself in a scramble for possession, and Martin Stjerning would have evened things if Harlow hadn't chosen that instant to show off the reflexes that made Grilled sign him. Hjortlind had his fair share of chances too, and came closest with a drive that shook the crossbar.
As the first half wound down, Martinsson went for it and sowed panic in the opposition box with some fancy dribbling at pace. Almbrant herded him away, but got too close for comfort and Martinsson fell over backwards. A penalty was given, and Martinsson put it away nervelessly.
Team Singapore got a spot kick of their own in the 59th minute, when a surprise shot caught Dewilde's forearm. Ignoring the expected protests, the referee gave it and Michael Sörensson stepped up to the spot. Harlow nearly made the fans forgive him as he guessed right with a dive to his right, but the ball had too much behind it and Harlow couldn't prevent the goal. Seven minutes later, Robin Andersson put Grilled's helplessness in the air on public display as he rose above Tuan-Mu to head in a cross from Miralles.
Desperate for even a point, Grilled fell back, only to have Singapore attack ever more fiercely. Stjerning fluffed a shot into the advertising boards, but contributed with his rampage on the Grilled goal that forced Harlow to dive at his legs. Harlow escaped a booking as Stjerning was going away from goal, but it spelled Grilled's doom anyway as Sörensson scored again from the penalty. Sörensson should have made it a hat-trick with a running shot in the 80th, but ended up battering the floodlights.
