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Grilled Birds head coach
Tian Yonghang was not about to let the Emerald Challenger Cup final defeat get to him, as he proceeded with the next step in the club's longer-term plans, by making a number of first-teamers available on the transfer list. That both captain
Ha Qicai and vice-captain
Darko Andrović were on it was possibly not overly unexpected given their age, as was the case with the 35 year-old
Brian Reddy, his academy status notwithstanding.
Gandhik Chitre's presence was however a bolt from the blue, which Tian stressed was only taken after a long consultation.
"Wage discipline has hobbled the Birds before, and so the management has resolved to keep both eyes on the financial side, all the time." Tian explained. "Chitre is open to a new challenge - he's been here since he was a kid, so we can understand that. Reddy, Ha and Andrović are all valued members of the team, but they're also getting on a little, and so if they want minutes, they might be better served by another club."
Tian then revealed that former Hong Kong U-20 defender
Ha Qicai had already received an official bid from Polish fifth division side OKS Stomil Olsztyn 1975, for one. "He's been a rock for us for six seasons - did you guys know he's got the longest consecutive start streak for an outfielder at the club, at 74 games? But when the time comes, it comes."
And over in Valletta, Farmer Bunnies overcame Maltese III.16 leaders Lille Erik 3-1, as Czech forward
Dušan Václavík worked the left wing industriously, resulting in two first-half goals.
Guan Ming Kum then made it 3-0 in the 70th minute as Giulio Moreggio played him onside; this left 19 year-old Eivind Illeborg to claim a last-gasp consolation, as
AES Anchan spilled Gunnar Janschitz's skipping drive from a terrific late dribble.
