Return To Two-Two
With the weekend's qualifiers over, the Birds have officially been assigned to II.2, a league where they have spent seventeen seasons residing in, and for which they are the second-highest all-time points earners, behind only UDNTK FC. With United Legends FC storming to an incredible perfect season too to rightfully ascend to the S-League, and both Joker 9 and Queenstown MZKs prevailing in their relegation matches, the only other new faces will be The Sing Tigers from III.2, who have just edged Farmer Bunnies 1-0 in their Generation Trophy finale.
Many other old faces will be in attendance, with newbies are newbies descending after five seasons in the top flight, in which they came close to their first national league title with a runners-up finish just two years back. The Birds are no strangers to Arrogancae and Tampines Phoenix F.C., obviously, and while Glory Paradiso and Queenstown MZKs are newer additions to the local fray, they are not to be underestimated either, what with MZKs' Comoros superstar Combo M'Madi lighting up the league last season.
Birds head coach
Tian Yonghang reaffirmed that there was no cause to be intimidated either, however. "It will be a step up in the level of competition, but honestly, nothing that we are not capable of handling. We will enter each match with a positive attitude."
Universal Import have renewed their sponsorship of Grilled Birds after the success of the previous season, but the club remains having to sell before they buy, due to lingering legal aftereffects from their prior financial entanglements. Farmer Bunnies are in a far healthier condition economically, with their latest declarations hinting that their reserves had reached the nine-figure mark, together with a blockbuster new deal with Inner Peace Insurance.
Vishnu Tallapaka has shown no signs of dipping into the funds yet, though.
As for Grilled International, they have secured interesting terms with RNA Random Numbers Accounting, in which they will be encouraged to score as much as possible, thanks to a generous goal bonus rider. AC Rabissale entering administration leaves only Amelinho Kickers as serious competition after their bid at promotion was forcefully shut down by EURO-POWER 2017, so this should not be too much to ask of the team.
