Arrrr To Padstow
Holland region risers Padstow Pirates took on two Chicken Wings lads and one more from the Rancher Rabbits today, as the 19 year-olds got the opportunity that they were dreaming of. This went double for the Wings' Cody Xiong, who had trained for over a season with the reserves, for a chance at turning pro. Wide midfielder Ling Beng Soon's wait was shorter, but no less anxious for that.
Rabbits wingman Patrick Cox had them both beat, having lingered nearly two years on a part-time extension contract with Farmer Bunnies, and his scout Tong Han Kong admitted that he had advised Cox to quit. "He had excellent technique, but simply wasn't getting the attention he needed. I'm happy it finally turned out well for Pat."
The trio will join up with the Pirates together with Four Leaf Pandas' Tan Liang Chin, and they will hope to impress young Swedish head coach Steve Persson, who has made youth development one of his priorities. Staying up in II.4 may be a challenge with that, however, and it is hard to see them take anything from frontrunners Arcturules, in their coming league match.
17 year-old striker Anas Zulfadhli Yazid would have ready buyers in comparison, and went to Honduras IV.5 bidders CD Vegas over initial interest from Polish seventh divisioners Górnik Ruda-Śląska. Considering as Anas had been one of the Rabbits' best pure attackers in recent memory, this had to be thought a slightly disappointing reception already. Still, as CD Vegas' first signing - followed shortly after by Spaniard Francisco Montafia and Belgian Alphonse Prévost - he will have ample room to develop.
As for the Busy Bees, their 18 year-old graduate Yip Su Hock would also be recruited within a week by Norwegian former Ponduscupen rubin holders Lucky Llamas, who are currently in Division Five. A pacy withdrawn forward, Yip will join the squad together with Yonah Telem, Manuel Camasobras and Guenter Sude, with two hat-tricks at youth level under his belt.
This would be a happy next step for Yip, seeing as he had been turned down by B-League club Torre Calcio and then Brunei Division Three side MANGUSH, before Adinath Pant recommended him for a trial with the Bees. "He was a bit rough about the edges - but boy, he's a sight to behold when he gets going!"
There was fine news for 27 year-old Bunnies man
Prakash Bhujbal too, as he was informed of a potential call-up to the national side, having won ten caps at U-20 level some years back. "I don't want to lie, it's something I have been working towards." the former Haha trainee, who spent his formative years in China and then Moldova with 2pac band, said. "Let's see if this comes to anything."
