Long Lelong
Grilled Birds and Grilled International executed what was possibly the largest single-day youth exodus in the clubs' history, with a total of eleven players departing in total. For the Birds, Algerian III.7 side Darkness of the Sahara came in with a package deal for winger Mok Ying Li, and utility men Ng Shi Su and Ilham Khaldun, as part of head coach Coby Samuel's wholesale restructuring process.
Sahara's affiliation with current Lithuanian A Lyga leaders and defending champions AnT PrikoLo proved irresistable for the trio, with Ng describing it as the perfect eighteenth birthday present. Scouts have assessed the 18 year-old Mok as the most likely to make an impact, though, with Khaldun possessing exceptional distributional skills, but underdeveloped otherwise.
There would be a similar mass signing over at Bahamas IV.11 outfit Mêlée, which snagged them playmaker Zeng Hongzhong, and wingers Ishlah bin Hj Luqman and Su Yuxiang from International. Zeng moreover got a call from Sahara too with the ensuing bidwar ending at S$66000, while Islah and Su had entertained offers from Tanzanian Premier club Tanzanian Delusions, with Islah also approached by Italian seventh divisioners Conchiglia Boys. Unfortunately, all three appear not to have passed further screening at Mêlée.
Syrian III.1 team FC Lakritzexperte, who had been interested in Zeng and Su as well, would settle for defender Ahad bin Hj Zaid, again reportedly released after the final round of additional trials. "It's a bit of a shame, but I can say that I had my chance now." Ahad sighed.
Latvian V.1 frontrunners OpereteFC would be a happier destination for nineteen year olds Teuku Tanis, Azrinuddin bin Hj Azrinuddin and Hj Jait bin Muhd Waslimin from International, all of whom had been recognized to possess a solid foundation, only to be slightly overaged for standard tastes. Tanis, a winger, Azrinuddin, a forward and Hj Jait, a defensive midfielder, will still have their work cut out to distinguish themselves from the others that Kastus' Karal'kevich brought in, but if all turns out well, OpereteFC may well have a Bruneian spine in the future.
Last but certainly not least, 18 year-old midfielder Wong Kong Chuan was taken on by Bahamas IV.42 side FC Elbow Cay, and from the looks of it may have had the brightest start of all the youngsters. Not only has he been assigned an official squad number - 33 - already, but also the affectionate if random nickname of "
King Kong" by the club's fans. Given this, it was no wonder that Wong had spurned Darkness of the Sahara for FC Elbow Cay!
Grilled International assistant coach Abdillah bin Mohd thought this an ultimately satisfying outcome, both for those who had made it, and those who had not. "The search had to come to a conclusion eventually, and although it's a shame that some didn't make the cut, they can move on with their lives in the knowledge that they tried."
