Purist's Apology
Alcántara, like his Team Singapore counterpart, was a picture of contrition after a bland ninety minutes. "Yes, yes, I'm sorry, we're all sorry," were his first words while lifing his hands. "It was never meant to be this way. It was the only way we could have played really, with our defenders doing so well in practice, and Wai-Kin out."
Siu-Yue was quick to come to his coach's defence. "We were not ever going to score many with only one fit striker away from home. We haven't had much practice with the 4-5-1, so Alcántara told us to attack through van Liere. However, he always had to get past at least two players, and he did so a number of times. Even then, when he delivered his cross, there would be four men on Martinsson, it was hopeless but unavoidable."
One man who begged to differ was
Ulf Hjortlind. "I've scored in the last few Cup games I've been in, and wonder why I haven't been given more of a chance with our first-teamers out. We don't have to play only one up front! If this continues, I'll have to seriously consider my options, though I really love the club."