Grilled Birds coach Qi Haupai today defended his harsh training regime which is suspected to have contributed to Koo Chin-shu and Ding Sun-Nee being injured in today's friendly with Marlboro Reds, as their external specialists revealed that the high intensity of training had caused their feet to become fatigued and increasingly prone to damage.

"I had to knock a hastily assembled side into a decent team in a short period of time, and the only way I could do that was to organise longer sessions where the players could raise their fitness and understanding of each other rapidly. I think our undefeated record in three league games so far speaks for itself."

Haupai was convinced on the other hand that such training cannot be sustained. "From today on I will be scaling back slightly on our runs. I think that the players have by now adjusted to life in the leagues."

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